Getting a credit card has historically been quite difficult for foreigners. It's only been in the last couple of years that banking policies have lightened up somewhat, but it is still at the discretion of the individual bank to issue you a card. But the current state of affairs is by no means cut and dried. As bank employees seldom ever have to deal with english speakers, let alone ones who are applying for credit cards, you may find some responses may naturally default to 'no', when asking if a foreigner can have a credit card. Regardless of the fact that you've been told otherwise by the another bank branch of the same name or even if you talk to a different teller at your branch one day, whereas the day before another teller said 'yes'. They often do not know the policies governing this.

One thing to be sure of, is make sure that they don't just issue you a BC Card instead of something with a Mastercard or Visa symbol, as a BC card is useful if you have funds in the account and want to make term payments on a TV or something. But it's not a credit card, per se, and will not work online or abroad.

Most banks will issue credit cards to foreigners on the basis that they are either co-signed by a Korean or that they you place collateral in an account and you will allowed to use the card up to the limit the balance in the pre-paid account.

The following are some banks that offer cards with some limitations.

• Lotte Card. If you bring an ARC, passport, and bankbook, you can complete the application for their card which carries a limit of 1,000,000 won. If you go to the Lotte Department Store in Myeongdong, on the top floor is their finance center, where you can complete the paperwork.

• Samsung Card. They require the same as Lotte Card, but usually require for you to be at least 1 year on the job. They also will not consider you if you are teaching at a hagwon, but public school or university teachers are known to get the card much easier.

• Woori Bank. Offers a pre-paid credit card option and you are not allowed to spend more than what's you've deposited into the account.

• KEB. They have an Expat Card for foreigners, but carries some of the same red tape regarding where you work and how long you've been there.