Introduction
Renting an apartment in Korea can be a difficult experience, especially for foreigners. Traditional housing requires massive deposits (often ₩10-50 million), Korean bank accounts, and talk with real estate agents who rarely speak English. Even after finding a place, you'll need an Alien Registration Card (ARC) just to set up basic utilities like internet.
This is where Enkostay comes in, a platform that removes these barriers for newcomers to Korea. Whether you're an exchange student, digital nomad, professional or long term traveler, relocating to Seoul, Enkostay offers a seamless way to secure housing without the usual hurdles.
Think of it as an "apartment rental for beginners" that handles everything: furnished rooms, utilities included, English-speaking support, and most importantly, no huge deposits required. You can book instantly with just a card (Visa, Mastercard), much like you'd book a hotel.
Enkostay is a housing platform designed for people coming to Korea who want a smooth, affordable way to settle in, without the usual headaches like high deposits or long agent calls.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the full booking process:
From browsing listings to securing your stay and messaging the host, all with zero deposit required.
🔍 Step 1: Start Browsing Listings
When you land on the platform, you’ll notice one big highlight right away:
No deposit required.
That’s a huge win because most landlords in Korea ask for ₩10,000,000 (~$7,000 USD) as deposit, not ideal for newcomers.
Enkostay removes that barrier and shows you available rooms right away.
🗓️ Step 2: Enter Your Dates & Preferences
Choose your move-in and move-out dates — for example:
June 1st to July 1st
Select:
- Who’s moving in (e.g., solo)
- 1-month stay (Minimum Booking Duration Varies)
- Private Place or Share house Option
Click search. You’ll now see listings across Seoul and nearby areas like Hongdae, Yeonsei, or other neighborhoods around Seoul.
🏢 Step 3: Explore Room Options
You’ll see per-month prices, detailed room photos, and even videos of some listings.
Click on one that fits your vibe, for example, a Duplex Loft or one of the Enkoplex buildings (their flagship co-living spaces most popular).
Enkostay has transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Here's what you'll see clearly listed on every booking:
- Monthly rental fee - the base cost for your room
- Utility fees - covers water, electricity, and gas usage
- Enko service fee - platform service charge
- Move-out cleaning fee - one-time professional cleaning after you leave
All these costs are shown upfront before you complete your booking, so there are no surprises later.
Rooms are:
- Fully furnished
- Include Wi-Fi
- Include utilities & cleaning fees
- No ARC needed to move in
- No separate setup for internet or furniture required
This is ideal if you’re new to Korea and don’t have your ARC yet — normally you’d have to wait to even get internet in a standard apartment.
✍️ Step 4: Sign Up & Verify
📸 [Add screenshot: Signup/login page]
You can sign up with your email.
Paste in the verification code sent to your inbox.
📸 [Add screenshot: Verification code step]
Then enter your basic info like:
- Passport name
- Emergency contact (Does not have to be in Korea)
🛏️ Step 5: Choose Extras (Optional)
You can add:
- Bedding package (blanket, pillow, etc.)
- Promo code
Use promo code KIMNINJA20 to save 20% on the “Enko service fee” of your booking
You’ll also see refund policies:
- Cancel within 24 hours = full refund
- Cancel later = partial refund depending on timing
💳 Step 6: Payment
You’ll pay directly on the platform using your card Mastercard/Visa — no Korean card or bank transfer required.
This is a huge advantage since many Korean landlords want direct transfers from a local bank.
✅ Step 7: Booking Confirmation
Once you pay, you’ll see:
- Move-in & move-out dates
- Utility + service fees
- Total cost summary
You’ll get a booking confirmation instantly.
If needed, you can cancel within 24 hours directly from your dashboard:
→ Go to My Bookings
→ Click Cancel Booking
While waiting for approval, your booking will show a "Pending" status.
Once the host reviews and accepts (usually within 24 hours), this will change to "Approved" and you'll get a confirmation email.
💬 Step 8: Message the Host
Once your stay is approved, you can message the host directly.
Ask questions like:
“Hi! Can I check in earlier?”
Hosts usually reply within a few hours.
🎉 That’s It!
You’re all set.
No deposits.
No confusing agent contracts.
Just an easy, digital way to start your life in Korea.
Want a Discount?
Use promo code KIMNINJA20 to save 20% on the “Enko service fee” of your booking
🛬 What Happens After You Book with Enkostay?
So you’ve booked your stay through Enkostay, no deposit, just a few clicks, and you’re set. But what happens when you actually arrive in Korea?
In this post, I’ll walk you through what to expect after you land. From check-in at the residence to signing your contract, and getting your welcome kit, this is the full onboarding experience at EnkoPlex (Enkostay’s flagship co-living space).
📩 Step 1: Arrival Email
Before you even arrive, you’ll receive a welcome email from Enkostay.
This includes:
- Check-in instructions
- Arrival location (e.g., EnkoPlex 1 or 2)
- Your personal login ID
- What documents you’ll be filling out
- What to expect during check-in
This email is super helpful, especially if it’s your first time in Korea.
👋 Step 2: Check-In at EnkoPlex
When you arrive at your booked Enkostay location (like EnkoPlex), you’ll be greeted by the community manager, in our case, Miguel.
He’ll show you around:
- 🛋️ Common area where residents chill, work, and host gatherings
- ☕ Free espresso machine in the shared kitchen
- 💼 Coworking zone for meetings and studying
Right away, you’ll feel like this is more than a place to stay, it’s a social hub.
📄 Step 3: Sign Your Rental Contract
Now comes the formal part, but don’t worry, it’s quick.
You’ll fill out two documents:
- Confirmation of Residence
- Standard Lease Agreement
These are both required for your ARC (Alien Registration Card) application at the Immigration Office.
Miguel walks you through the forms and fills in most of it for you. You’ll only need to write your name, nationality, and contact info.
🟡 The process takes about 3 minutes.
🖨️ After that, they make copies and hand you one for your immigration needs.
🎁 Step 4: Receive Your Welcome Kit
You’ll be handed a welcome kit that includes:
- TV remote
- A/C remote
- Ventilation remote
- Your room key / ID
📌 Don’t lose your ID, it’s how you’ll access Enko’s open chat rooms, message staff, and use the community portal.
🥳 Bonus: Monthly Enkoplay Events
And here’s the cherry on top:
Every month, Enko hosts Enkoplay, a free social gathering for all residents.
You don’t need to pay or do anything complicated, just register and show up. It’s a great way to meet other people, especially if you’ve just moved to Korea and want to build a circle.
🏁 That’s It! You’re All Set.
Once you’ve signed the contract, received your welcome kit, and checked in, your room is officially yours. You can move in, unpack, and start enjoying your life in Korea.
Even though this walkthrough focused on Enkoplex, the onboarding experience is similar for all Enkostay properties.
Right now, it’s available in Seoul but who knows, maybe by the time you read this, they’re all over Korea.
Conclusion
Enkostay has truly revolutionized the apartment rental process for foreigners in Korea. What used to be a complex maze of large deposits, language barriers, and bureaucratic hurdles has been transformed into a straightforward, digital experience. From browsing available units to getting your keys, the entire journey is designed to be foreigner-friendly, requiring minimal paperwork and zero Korean language skills.
The platform's all-inclusive approach means you can focus on settling into your new life in Korea rather than struggling with utility setups, furniture shopping, or navigating local real estate practices. Whether you're a student, digital nomad, or professional relocating to Korea, Enkostay provides a modern solution that aligns with international standards of service.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post created in partnership with Enkostay. While I have received compensation for this content, all opinions expressed are honest and based on my genuine experience with their service. The discount code provided (KIMNINJA20) is part of our partnership agreement.
