Requirements and documents in South Korea

Snapshot

To open a business account in South Korea you need a company registered in Korea with a business registration certificate, plus the articles of incorporation, the corporate registration extract, the corporate seal and seal certificate, a list of shareholders and beneficial owners, and identification for the representative director. The representative director usually attends a branch in person, and overseas documents often need apostille certification and a certified Korean translation.

Core document: Business registration certificate
Company papers: Articles of incorporation and corporate registration extract
Seal: Corporate seal and seal certificate
People: Identification for the representative director and signatories

Information as of 25 March 2026Last reviewed 25 March 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

To open a business account in South Korea you need a company registered in Korea that holds a business registration certificate from the tax office. Banks then ask for the articles of incorporation, the corporate registration extract, the corporate seal and seal certificate, a list of shareholders and beneficial owners, and identification for the representative director and signatories. The representative director normally attends a branch in person for identity verification. As of 25 March 2026, documents issued overseas often need apostille certification and a certified Korean translation, and the exact list varies by bank and company structure. Confirm with the bank before you apply.

The core documents

Most Korean banks ask for a similar core set of documents when a company opens a corporate account, as of 25 March 2026. Verify with the provider

The business registration certificate from the tax office, the articles of incorporation, and the corporate registration extract for the company.
The corporate seal and the seal certificate, and in some cases a separate bank seal registered with the bank.
A list of shareholders and beneficial owners, and identification for the representative director and the authorised signatories.
Proof of a company address, such as a lease, and details of the genuine activity of the business.

Extra requirements for foreign owned companies

Foreign owned companies face additional due diligence. As of 25 March 2026, documents issued overseas, such as a parent company certificate or a director's identification, often need apostille certification and a certified Korean translation before a Korean bank will accept them. Banks may also ask more about the source of funds and the purpose of the business, because new corporate accounts are treated with added caution. Confirm exactly which documents need certification with the bank before you gather them.

The in person check

Beyond the paperwork, the representative director usually attends a branch in person so the teller can verify identity under the know your customer rules. In some cases a corporate account can be opened through an authorised attorney with a properly executed power of attorney. The position varies by bank, so confirm what your chosen bank accepts before you plan the visit, as of 25 March 2026.

Before you apply

Banks with a corporate desk or a foreign direct investment desk can give a precise document checklist for your company type. Book an appointment, bring originals and certified copies, and verify the current list with the bank, because requirements change. The large commercial banks such as KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori, and the state owned IBK for small and medium businesses, all open corporate accounts. Compare current terms against your needs.

As of 25 March 2026, we do not list an international business account that is confirmed available to open as a local Korean won account inside South Korea. A resident corporate account, with these documents, is opened with a Korean bank such as KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, or IBK. See the related guides below for markets where listed providers are available.

Questions about requirements and documents in South Korea

What documents do you need to open a business account in South Korea?

Banks commonly ask for the business registration certificate, the articles of incorporation, the corporate registration extract, the corporate seal and seal certificate, a list of shareholders and beneficial owners, and identification for the representative director and signatories. The exact list varies by bank and by company structure, so confirm before you apply, as of 25 March 2026.

Do you need a business registration certificate first?

Yes. A corporate account is opened for a company registered in Korea, and the business registration certificate from the tax office is a core document. It is applied for shortly after the company starts activity. Confirm the timing and the documents with the bank and the tax office, as of 25 March 2026.

Do overseas documents need translation for a Korean bank?

Documents issued overseas often need apostille certification and a certified Korean translation before a Korean bank will accept them. This is common for foreign owned companies. Confirm exactly which documents need certification and translation with the bank, as of 25 March 2026.

Is the corporate seal required to open a business account?

Korean banks generally use the registered corporate seal and its seal certificate for company instructions, so the seal and certificate are usually required when opening and operating a corporate account. Some banks also register a separate bank seal. Confirm the requirement with the bank, as of 25 March 2026.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 25 March 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.