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English Language Teaching and Learning

Living in Asia

Money: Makes the World Go Round

Just after you arrived:

Usually, you need some kind of visa to open a bank account. Either a teacher's Visa, or a student's visa is usually fine. Then you need the official letter from your employer or language school, and multiple forms of identification.

Taiwan's banks don't allow you to withdraw from your credit card, but you can go to any restaurant to do that anyway.

In Korea, it is (or was when I was there) better to send a fax to your bank detailing how much and, to and from which accounts you'd like your money to move, AND your signature. But you need to telephone them first, and tell them that you will do this, and then call ten minutes later to make sure that your branch received your fax. However, you should tell them that you might do this, IN PERSON, before you go.

Japan is pretty well wired. Japan's used ATMs used to close at five o'clock, or charged lots. These days most places and ATMs are fine, and many are open 24/7. Korea's ATM's close at ten pm. Luckily, Taiwan's ATM's are 24hour. japan, korea, taiwan, asia