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Opportunities for Foreigners in Korea’s Fintech Industry
For foreigners seeking employment in Korea’s rapidly growing fintech sector, companies like SentBe offer an appealing combination of international collaboration, remote work flexibility, and a welcoming corporate culture. Based in the financial district of Yeouido in western Seoul, SentBe provides overseas remittance services across more than 50 countries and also maintains a second office in Singapore. The company has been expanding its reach, including a partnership with Toss to offer overseas remittance through the Toss application starting July 2.
A Company Built on Global Talent
Founded in 2015, SentBe offers both retail and corporate remittance services under its brand name and through its subsidiary, SentBiz. The company has long recognized the importance of foreign talent, especially given that its primary customers for local retail remittance are foreigners living in Korea. To better serve these clients, SentBe has focused on hiring employees who share similar cultural backgrounds or nationalities.
Currently, there are around 30 foreign nationals working as regular employees at SentBe, with nationalities ranging from Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. When including part-time workers and interns, the number increases significantly. The company runs a Global Marketing Internship program for international students, having already hired 20 interns since May and aiming to bring on about 90 throughout the year.
A Longstanding Commitment to International Employees
SentBe’s approach to global talent isn’t a recent development. From the beginning, the company has employed individuals from abroad. For instance, one of the earliest employees was from the Philippines and played a key role in early offline marketing efforts in Hyehwa-dong. That employee is still with the company today, and others have joined as couples or later moved to global partner companies while maintaining professional relationships.
Foreigners are welcome in all positions, but they have traditionally been more prevalent in marketing and customer experience roles. The hiring process typically involves two interviews: one focused on job competency and another on cultural fit. HR manager Leah Baik explained that during the first interview, candidates are assessed based on their experience and whether they meet the required skill level. Those who pass this stage move on to the culture-fit interview, where alignment with the company’s three core values — professional, proactive, and customer-centric — is evaluated.
Core Values and Interview Process
Professionalism at SentBe means commitment to expertise and continuous improvement. Proactivity encourages employees to think ahead and strive for better performance. Being customer-centric is particularly important given the nature of the company’s business, which revolves around remittance services.
CEO Alex Choi emphasized that industry-related experience, passion, and drive are highly valued. He often participates in the culture-fit interview, asking questions related to the company’s values and communication skills. “I tend to ask a lot of follow-up questions to understand whether someone is more light-minded or has depth,” he said.
Flexible Work Policies and Benefits
One of the perks of working at SentBe is the opportunity for flexible work hours and remote work. While many companies adopted these policies after the pandemic, for SentBe, it has always been a natural part of its operations. The company started with remote work due to the location of its co-founders, and it has continued to embrace this model ever since.
Employees can work from home on certain days depending on their team’s needs. In 2024, SentBe was recognized as an outstanding flexible work company by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Additional benefits include a company-wide winter vacation from December 26 to December 31, paid leave on birthdays, and when employees move.
Hiring foreign talent also involves navigating the complexities of visa issuance. For interns, SentBe usually recruits D-2 student visa holders and applies for a work permit, as well as D-10 job seeker visa holders. Regular employees are either hired under E-7 work visas or selected from those with F visas.
While the process has improved over time, CEO Alex Choi recalls challenges faced in the past. “There were times when one of our directors cried while trying to get a work visa for an employee,” he said. Although the system has become more streamlined, the process remains an essential part of the company’s strategy.
Embracing Diversity and Global Perspectives
Despite the challenges, SentBe continues to expand its focus on foreign talent. The company believes that diverse perspectives contribute to a richer work environment. “Foreign employees bring different backgrounds and approaches to work,” said Choi. “In marketing, for example, they help us understand foreign cultures more effectively.”
For foreigners looking for opportunities in Korea’s fintech industry, SentBe represents a compelling choice — offering a blend of global collaboration, flexibility, and a forward-thinking culture.
