Foreign Students Also Enjoy 'K-Pass' Benefits... A Comprehensive Summary of Transportation Cost Reduction Strategies by Local Governments

The convenience of public transportation for foreign students residing in the country is expected to improve significantly. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Metropolitan Transport Committee are simplifying the enrollment process for the public transport fare refund support project called 'K-Pass', greatly enhancing accessibility for students who have been unable to benefit from the complicated authentication procedures. This change is made possible by the integration of the foreign registration number authentication system with card companies and related institutions, and it is expected to alleviate the financial burden on students during this era of high prices.

K-Pass is a transportation card that allows users to receive a certain percentage of their spending back the following month if they use public transportation such as city buses or subways regularly more than 15 times a month. The general public can receive a 20% refund, young people (aged 19-34) can receive 30%, and low-income individuals can receive up to 53%. Most foreign students fall into the young category, making them likely to benefit from a 30% refund. Users can obtain a K-Pass exclusive card through the websites or apps of major card companies, and once they complete membership registration and card registration on the official app or website, they can immediately enjoy the benefits.

In addition to the K-Pass at the central government level, it is necessary to carefully compare the unique transportation cost support policies operated by each local government. If a student resides in Seoul, it is worth considering the unlimited public transport pass of Seoul City, the 'Climate Companion Card'. By paying a certain amount around 60,000 won per month, users can use the subway, buses, and public bicycles (Ddaeng-i) in Seoul without limits, which is advantageous for students who travel frequently within Seoul and often use Ddaeng-i. However, it should be noted that the use of the Shinbundang Line or express buses that go beyond Seoul may be restricted.

On the other hand, foreign students residing in Gyeonggi Province or Incheon may find the 'The Gyeonggi Pass' or 'Incheon I-Pass', which expand the benefits based on K-Pass, to be more advantageous. These regional passes provide additional benefits such as unlimited refunds by removing the monthly limit of 60 refunds and expanding the age range for youth benefits up to 39 years old. In particular, for students commuting mainly between Gyeonggi Province and Seoul, the K-Pass based regional card, which applies distance-based fare systems, offers greater practical savings compared to the Climate Companion Card.

Experts advise that individuals should analyse their residence, commuting patterns, and average monthly public transport usage to select the most suitable card. If one mainly travels within Seoul and their monthly transport costs exceed 80,000 won, the Climate Companion Card is advantageous. However, if one travels irregularly between Seoul and Gyeonggi/Incheon, the K-Pass, which can be used anywhere in the country and refunds based on usage, is more reasonable. It is advisable for foreign students to check the specific enrollment methods and eligibility requirements for benefits through the local government websites or foreign student support centres.