Booking on Naver Map with your passport: the 2026 change for foreigners

Since June 2026, Naver verifies foreigners' identity with a passport, without a Korean number. What it unlocks, its limits and what to do if a business refuses foreigners.

Updated 26 October 2026 · Dari team · 2 min read

Machine translation from French, being reviewed. Read the French version (reference)

Naver Map is Korea's most used map, and its bookings open the door to thousands of restaurants, salons and activities. Until 2026, you needed a Korean number. Not any more.

What changed on 4 June 2026

Naver offers foreigners with a passport issued abroad identity verification on a smartphone, without a Korean number and without contacting customer support¹. The service started on 4 June and was announced on 9 June 2026¹.

Once verified, you can use Naver's travel services: bookings, orders and payments on Naver Map¹, including at participating Michelin-selected restaurants².

How to do it

1. Install Naver Map and set the app to English, Chinese or Japanese (available since 2018)².
2. Create a Naver account and choose passport verification when the app offers it¹.
3. Find a place that shows online booking, pick a slot and pay.

Naver says it plans to add more services and languages, with no timeline¹.

The limit: businesses can refuse foreigners

In July 2026, a merchant setting called "외국인 설정" (foreigner setting) was spotted in Naver's listing management tool. Set to "no", it stops users classified as foreigners from booking or ordering. According to Koreabridge, some residents verified with a Korean number were blocked too³.

If the booking button does not appear for you while others see it, this setting may be the reason.

When Naver does not work

A place refuses foreigners' bookings, or the app blocks you? Dari can call and book for you.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Korean number to book on Naver?

Not since June 2026: passport verification is enough for Naver Map's booking services¹.

Why can't I see the booking button?

The business may have turned off foreigners' bookings with the "외국인 설정" setting³. Try another place or ask Dari to book.

Sources

1. Asia Business Daily, Naver lance la vérification par passeport pour les étrangers (09/06/2026) · checked on 26 October 2026
2. Edaily, campagne « BE LOCAL » et réservations Naver pour les touristes (10/06/2026) · checked on 26 October 2026
3. Koreabridge, le réglage « 외국인 설정 » des commerçants sur Naver (16/07/2026) · checked on 26 October 2026