How International Travelers, Nomads & Expats Will Pay With QR Codes in South Korea

How International Travelers, Nomads & Expats Will Pay With QR Codes in South Korea

How International Travelers, Nomads & Expats Will Pay With QR Codes in South Korea

Leave the frustration of foreign transaction fees and Korean bank account requirements behind. Instead, tap into Seoul Pay+ with Moreta Pay. Seoul Pay+ is Seoul's largest QR payment network, with hundreds of thousands of merchants across the city and coverage expanding nationwide. Moreta Pay is an easy-to-use platform built for travelers, digital nomads and expats, offering a secure, simple and cost-effective way to pay for goods and services just like locals.

vehicles on street between buildings with Kanji script signage during golden hour

How It Will Work

Moreta Pay is a mobile payment platform that allows travelers to tap into local payment networks in South Korea and across Asia and Latin America, all without needing a Korean bank account or Alien Registration Card. After downloading the Moreta app, set up your account and verify your identity with a selfie and your passport. Then connect your preferred payment method. With Moreta Pay, you can fund your account in numerous ways, adding your local currency for simplicity and familiarity. Make deposits with a bank connection, bank transfer or card. Fill your account before you leave, and you're all set to start paying for all the goods and services you need during your travels. If you run out and need to top up, you can do so quickly and easily through the Moreta Pay app. No more fumbling with Won, cards or outdated traveler's checks.

The Problem With Paying Abroad as a Tourist, Expat or Nomad

Korea is often called one of the most cashless societies in the world, but that doesn't mean paying is easy for foreigners. International credit and debit cards work at most merchants, but they come with foreign transaction fees, dynamic currency conversion markups, and unfavorable exchange rates that quietly add up over a trip. Many smaller cafés, market vendors and traditional restaurants prefer QR payments, but Korean e-wallets like KakaoPay and Naver Pay require a Korean bank account, phone number, and Alien Registration Card that most short-term visitors don't have. ATM withdrawals bring their own surcharges. Choosing a more secure option like QR code payments through Moreta avoids all of those concerns.

a flag on a pole

How Moreta Pay Works

Moreta Pay is transforming the way nomads, tourists and expats pay for goods in South Korea and beyond. It's an easy-to-use platform that allows you to scan Seoul Pay+ QR codes from merchants for hassle-free payments. Here's how it works.

Verify Your Identity

Your journey with Moreta Pay begins with creating an account and verifying your identity. All you have to do is take a photo of your passport and a selfie! Moreta uses those photos to verify your identity, creating yet another security shield against fraud.

Load Funds to Your Moreta Pay Wallet

Add funds quickly and securely with your preferred bank account. With Moreta, you can add funds to your account in numerous ways using secure payment methods. These include:

• USD via ACH
• GBP via UK Faster Payments
• EUR via SEPA
• Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or Discover cards

Need more cash during your trip? With Moreta Pay, you can top up using your already connected bank account or card.

Scan QR Codes at Local Shops & Restaurants

When you're out and about exploring everything Korea has to offer, Moreta makes paying for goods and services a breeze. All you have to do is scan a merchant's Seoul Pay+ QR code. Seoul Pay+ covers hundreds of thousands of merchants across Seoul, from cafés in Hongdae to Gwangjang Market to boutiques in Seongsu, and is expanding to other cities across Korea.

Get Seamless Payments on the Go

After scanning a Seoul Pay+ QR code, review the information and slide to complete the payment. It's as easy as that! Moreta offers fast, seamless and worry-free payments.

Coming Soon: More Countries Across Southeast Asia & Latin America

Want to extend your trip beyond Korea? Moreta Pay is also live across Asia in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Mongolia, and across Latin America in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia. Use the same Moreta wallet balance wherever you travel.

Why Moreta Pay Is Better Than Alternatives

Moreta Pay is a mobile payment platform that allows travelers to tap into local payment networks in South Korea and several other countries across Asia and Latin America, all without needing a local bank account. After downloading the Moreta app, set up your account and verify your identity with a selfie and your passport. Then, you can connect your preferred payment method. With Moreta Pay, you can fund your account in numerous ways, adding your local currency for simplicity and familiarity. Fill your account before you leave, and you're all set to start paying for everything you need during your travels.

boats on body of water

No Local Bank Account Required

With Moreta Pay, there's no need to open a Korean bank account or register an Alien Registration Card. While Korean e-wallets like KakaoPay, Naver Pay and Toss are tied to Korean banks, phone numbers and ARCs, historically out of reach for short-term visitors, Moreta Pay lets you tap into Seoul Pay+ without that overhead. Connect with your financial institution at home, add funds as needed, and pay like a local.

group of children laughing together

Seamless Integration With Seoul Pay+

Seoul Pay+ is Seoul's largest QR payment network, operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It connects hundreds of thousands of merchants across the city, from small shops and cafés to restaurants and markets, and is expanding to major tourist cities across Korea. Moreta Pay integrates directly with Seoul Pay+ so you can spend your money the same way locals do, without installing a Korean e-wallet or opening a local bank account.

people gathering in Time Square, New York

Designed for International Travelers, Expats & Nomads

Moreta Pay is a solution built for international travelers. No matter how long your stay is, Moreta Pay ensures you can pay for anything without jumping through hurdles or paying a fortune. Sink yourself into the culture, including paying for goods just like the locals!

Several Accepted Payment Types

Fund your Moreta Pay account with many different payment options. Once you connect your bank account, you can add funds via secure methods. If adding USD, benefit from the low transaction costs and enhanced security of ACH. If your home currency is GBP, you can use UK Faster Payments for near-instant transfers. When funding with Euros, utilize SEPA for speed, simplicity and dependability. Moreta Pay also supports international Visa and Mastercard payments for even greater flexibility.

Lower Fees Compared to Cash or Card Alternatives

Moreta offers significantly lower fees than the alternatives. Most banks charge foreign transaction and ATM fees, and most financial institutions use unfavorable exchange rates. Even in Korea, where cards are accepted almost everywhere, those hidden costs add up. With Moreta, you pay much less. QR transactions in Korea carry a flat 1.5% fee that is competitive, transparent, and far less than your home bank typically charges. Best of all, you always know what you're paying upfront.

Instant, Contactless QR Payments

Contactless payments are the way of the future! No more handing over physical cards or waiting on lengthy transaction times. With Moreta Pay, you can complete transactions quickly without interacting with cashiers, wait staff or merchants. No more confusion or pricing information getting lost in translation.

people walking in the street with umbrellas

Real Exchange Rates

Tired of losing money on unfavorable exchange rates? That's no longer a worry with Moreta Pay. Moreta gives you accurate exchange rates, helping your money go as far as possible. Moreta converts your currency into Korean Won in real-time, using the exchange rate at the time of the transaction. Make your money go farther than you thought possible with transparent, real-time exchange rates, and zero hidden fees.

aerial view of white and brown boat on sea during daytime

Frequently asked questions

Can tourists pay without a Korean bank account?
What's the easiest way to pay like a local in South Korea?
Is QR code payment accepted everywhere in South Korea?
Are credit cards widely accepted in South Korea?
Is it cheaper to use QR code payments vs. withdrawing cash?
How do I set up QR code payments in South Korea before my trip?
Does Moreta Pay work with all US and EU bank accounts?
What currency will I be charged in when using Moreta Pay in South Korea?
Can I use Moreta Pay in other Asian countries too?

Activate Your Moreta Pay Account Before Your Trip

Ready to set yourself up for a seamless payment experience in South Korea? Moreta Pay is the ultimate payment solution for expats, tourists, digital nomads and more, allowing you to pay for goods and services using secure Seoul Pay+ QR codes. Visit Moreta Pay today to learn more, link your bank account and get started!

photo of brown wooden dock towards beach

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Can tourists pay without a Korean bank account?
What's the easiest way to pay like a local in South Korea?
Is QR code payment accepted everywhere in South Korea?
Are credit cards widely accepted in South Korea?
Is it cheaper to use QR code payments vs. withdrawing cash?
How do I set up QR code payments in South Korea before my trip?
Does Moreta Pay work with all US and EU bank accounts?
What currency will I be charged in when using Moreta Pay in South Korea?
Can I use Moreta Pay in other Asian countries too?

More countries

More countries

More countries

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🇲🇾 Malaysia

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🇨🇳 China

aerial photography of cliff near shore

🇮🇩 Indonesia