Traveling to South Korea is now easier with the QRIS cross-border payment system, officially launched on 1 April 2026.
Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Bank of Korea have introduced a fast, secure, and cashless payment system that eliminates the need for physical currency exchange.
South Korea is the fifth country connected to QRIS after Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan.
What Is QRIS Cross-Border in South Korea?
QRIS cross-border Indonesia–South Korea is a QR payment system that allows direct transactions in Indonesian Rupiah and Korean Won without using a third currency.
This initiative is part of a Joint Vision Statement signed by President Prabowo Subianto and President Lee Jae Myung in April 2026.
By early 2026, total QRIS cross-border transactions had reached 7.6 million.
How to Activate QRIS for Use in South Korea
No special registration is required to use QRIS in South Korea. You only need to ensure your banking or e-wallet app supports cross-border transactions:
- Update your mobile banking or e-wallet app
- Ensure the app supports QRIS cross-border
- Enable international transaction settings
- Check your overseas transaction limits
- Ensure sufficient balance or linked funding source
Supported Banks and E-Wallets
Several Indonesian banks and e-wallets already support QRIS cross-border in South Korea:
- BCA Mobile (active since launch)
- Livin’ by Mandiri
- BRImo and BNI Mobile Banking
- DANA, GoPay, ShopeePay (availability may vary)
- Other banks are being added gradually
How to Use QRIS in South Korea
Usage is very similar to QRIS in Indonesia. The main difference is the merchant QR code format in Korea:
- Open your mobile banking or e-wallet app
- Select “Scan QRIS” or QR payment
- Scan the merchant’s QR code
- The system automatically converts the amount to IDR
- Confirm payment and complete the transaction
Transaction Limits and Restrictions
Each provider has different limits, so it’s important to check before traveling:
- Daily limits generally range from IDR 20–100 million
- Per-transaction limits vary by provider
- Only supports person-to-merchant (P2M) payments
- Cannot be used for peer-to-peer transfers
- Not all Korean merchants support cross-border QR
Where You Can Use QRIS in South Korea
QRIS acceptance is expanding, especially in tourist areas:
- Retail stores in Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam
- Digital payment-enabled restaurants
- Cosmetic stores like Olive Young and Innisfree (select outlets)
- Convenience stores such as CU and GS25
- Modern coffee shop chains
- Selected mid-to-high-end hotels
Benefits of Using QRIS in Korea
- No need to exchange large amounts of Won
- Lower conversion and foreign card fees
- Transactions recorded directly in IDR
- Competitive exchange rates via direct settlement
- Safer than carrying large amounts of cash
- Automatic transaction tracking in-app
Practical Tips for Travelers
- Test small transactions in Indonesia first
- Ensure mobile data roaming or Korean eSIM is active
- Enable transaction notifications
- Bring a backup credit card
- Save transaction receipts/screenshots
- Avoid public WiFi for financial transactions
Context and Future Outlook
Before South Korea, QRIS cross-border was already active in four major corridors, with Malaysia recording the highest usage. By February 2026, total QRIS users reached 60.77 million.
With increasing travel demand to South Korea and visa-free trial policies for Indonesian citizens (Feb–Dec 2026), QRIS cross-border is expected to significantly simplify travel spending for Indonesian tourists.
