Kakao Bank launches full-app banking services for foreign residents in South Korea

Kakao Bank introduced a suite of more than 50 financial and lifestyle services for foreign residents through the same mobile app Korean customers already use. Eligible users—19 or older, holding a residence ID and a personal mobile number—can open checking and group accounts, receive debit cards, and conduct overseas remittances without leaving the app, with some destination fees waived. The offering adds credit-card comparison via a partnership with Shinhan Card, a SafeBox interest account, and free domestic transfers and ATM use.

Through a tie-up with Hanpass, the bank supports remittances to 200 countries in over 50 currencies, while AI translation in English, Chinese and Vietnamese and dedicated English-language support aid users. Additional security measures include stay-period monitoring, facial ID and fraud-text detection, and international debit card payments are expected in early December. Kakao Bank plans to extend savings, loan comparison and open-banking services by 2027 and broaden language support to seven languages.