📱 How to solve when identity verification doesn't work well

Just arrived in Korea and finally got your ARC and Korean phone number, but got really frustrated when you were unable to verify your identity for delivery apps or shopping malls?

You’ve created both a phone number and a bank account but can’t figure out why nothing’s working? It's totally understandable to feel confused.

Today, I’ll guide you step by step through the most common reasons for foreigner identity verification failure and the must-check checklist! ✨

🔤 Check name spacing and capitalization

It's upsetting when you type in your name correctly but keep getting errors. The most common reason for identity verification failure for foreigners is the way the name is entered!

1. You must write your name exactly as it appears in English on your ARC (Alien Registration Card).

2. Capitals, spacing, and even hyphens (-) must all match exactly.

3. Make sure the surname-first name order is correct as written on your passport or ID.

👉 Just matching this increases your verification success rate significantly!

📞 Communication provider info update is a must

Did you have trouble verifying with Kakao or Naver even though the number is under your name? If you registered the phone using your passport, check this out.

1. If you made your phone number with a passport, after getting your ARC, you must contact your carrier and update with ARC info.

2. The name you enter in the app, your carrier registration name, and your bank account name—all three must match for verification to succeed.

3. Prepaid or roaming phones may be restricted, so consider switching to a postpaid plan too.

👉 Just updating your communication provider info can solve these annoying problems!

💛 Kakao and Naver verification tips

Was it inconvenient not being able to sign up for essential services like easy payments in Korea? Each service has slightly different requirements, so check them carefully.

1. A Kakao Certificate requires both a domestic carrier subscription and a domestic bank account under your name to be issued.

2. If it’s hard to get Naver real-name verification, you can submit documents to the customer center (1588-3820) for help.

3. From June 5, 2026, Naver Map will allow identity verification with a passport for bookings.

👉 It may seem complicated, but if you check each step, you’ll have no trouble using Korean apps!

✅ Quick solution checklist at a glance

Here’s a step-by-step guide for students who feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. What you need to match comes first, not why it’s not working!

1. First, check if your ARC information is properly reflected in the database the day after it’s issued.

2. Check that your carrier registration name and bank account name exactly match your ARC.

3. If your Korean name has been added to the ARC after June 8, 2020, real-name verification may also be possible in Korean.

4. If it still doesn’t work, contact each app’s customer center.

👉 As you check each step one by one, you’ll see the registration complete screen before you know it!

In conclusion

✔️ Make sure the name format (capitalization, spacing, etc.) on the ARC, carrier, and bank account is perfectly unified

✔️ If your phone number was registered with a passport, update with your carrier after receiving your ARC

✔️ Check the real-name verification requirements for each service like Kakao/Naver and use the customer center

Korea may seem unfamiliar and even identity verification feels hard at first, but you’ll get the hang of it soon! We always support your smooth and fast settlement in Korea 💖

💡 VIVISA will help you.

VIVISA organizes the following information in an easy-to-understand way.

• Foreigner & international student visa information

• Part-time & labor regulations

• Essential administrative guides for life in Korea

Don’t worry about student life or part-time jobs in Korea—start comfortably with VIVISA! ✨