When foreigners first open a Korean bank account, something common happens: the account opens but has low daily transfer/withdrawal limits. What's the key to lifting this 'limited account'?

Newly opened Korean bank accounts, especially for foreigners, are commonly restricted as 'limited accounts' with low daily transfer and ATM withdrawal caps as a fraud-prevention measure, since new accounts with unclear activity are a favorite tool for scammers. Lifting this restriction means submitting proof of genuine residence and stable income — an employment certificate, salary deposit history, recurring utility payments, or insurance enrollment — showing a real, settled resident holds the account, not a shell for fraud.

Simply waiting thirty days does nothing on its own, since the limit is tied to submitted evidence rather than time passing, and the limit is absolutely not permanent — banks routinely lift it once documentation is provided.

Because this affects nearly every foreigner's first account, many banks now list accepted documents online, so bringing an employment certificate to the opening appointment can sometimes skip the limited-account stage entirely.