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  • Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents

    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents

    Every duty a registered foreign resident has in Korea comes with a number attached. Ninety days to register after you arrive. Fifteen days to report a move. Fifteen days to report a change to your details. A four-month window to extend your stay. Your card on you at all times.

    Missing one does not always lead to the same penalty. Some carry an administrative fine, some a criminal fine, and two can end in deportation. This page puts every deadline, fee, and penalty in one place, and points you to the guide for whichever one you are facing.

    What this page covers
    01 Which deadlines you must meet
    02 When each deadline starts
    03 Which guide you need
    04 What each application costs
    05 What happens if you miss one
    06 Frequently asked questions

    Which deadlines you must meet

    Most of these come from the Immigration Act (출입국관리법) and its Enforcement Decree. The article number is in the last column so you can check any line against the law.

    Deadlines for registered foreign residents
    Immigration Act · calendar days, weekends and holidays included
    What you must do Deadline Article
    Register as a foreign resident 90 days from entry 31(1)
    Apply for a card after turning 17, if you were not issued one as a child 90 days from your 17th birthday 33(2)
    Report a change of address 15 days from moving in 36(1)
    Report a change to your name, passport, school, or workplace 15 days from the change 35
    Apply to extend your stay Window opens 4 months before your expiry date and closes on that date 25
    Carry your card or passport At all times, from age 17 27
    Return the card after becoming a Korean national 30 days from completing resident registration 37(2) · Decree 46(2)

    Permanent residents have one more. A Permanent Residence Card (영주증) is valid for ten years. Article 33 requires you to apply for a re-issue before it expires. Missing this carries an administrative fine up to 2,000,000 KRW (Article 100).

    When each deadline starts

    Two deadlines are both fifteen days, but each one starts from a different event.

    The starting point, one by one
    ✓ Registration: the day you entered Korea, not the date printed on your visa.
    ✓ Change of address: the day you move in, not the day you signed the lease.
    ✓ Change of details: the day the change happens, such as the issue date on a new passport.
    ✓ Extension: counted backward from the expiry date on your card.
    ✓ All of these are calendar days. Weekends and public holidays count.

    If you change your status of stay inside Korea, the count does not start at entry. Article 31 requires you to register when immigration grants the new status.

    Which guide you need

    Find your situation and follow the link. Each guide covers one situation from start to finish.

    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Three of those four need you to visit an office in person, and an immigration office has required a booking since 2021. How to book an immigration appointment on Hi Korea covers the booking itself, including why the earliest slot you can take is tomorrow.

    If you need help in another language, Getting help in Korea sorts the phone lines and offices by situation.

    What each application costs

    The Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act set these figures, so they are the same at every office.

    Fees
    Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Article 72
    Application Fee
    Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증, ARC), first issue or replacement 35,000 KRW
    Permanent Residence Card, re-issue 35,000 KRW
    Extension of stay 60,000 KRW · 30,000 KRW for Marriage Immigrant (F-6)
    Change of status of stay 100,000 KRW · 200,000 KRW for Permanent Residence (F-5)
    Change or addition of workplace 120,000 KRW
    Report a change of address No fee

    The card fee rose from 30,000 KRW to 35,000 KRW on 1 January 2025, when the card began carrying an IC chip. If a page you are reading still shows the older figure, bring the higher amount.

    What happens if you miss one

    The word for the penalty matters. An administrative fine (과태료) is not a criminal penalty. A criminal fine (벌금) is a criminal penalty.

    What you missed Penalty Article
    Registering at all Up to 1 year in prison or a fine up to 10,000,000 KRW, and grounds for deportation 95(7) · 46(1)12
    Staying past your permitted period Up to 3 years in prison or a fine up to 30,000,000 KRW, and grounds for deportation 94(7) · 46(1)8
    Reporting a change of address Criminal fine up to 1,000,000 KRW 98(2)
    Carrying your card or passport Criminal fine up to 1,000,000 KRW 98(1)
    Reporting a change to your details, or returning the card Administrative fine up to 1,000,000 KRW 100(2)1
    Applying for a card after turning 17 Administrative fine up to 500,000 KRW 100(3)1

    If a date has already passed, go to your immigration office and report it. Every one of these gets worse with time.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I need to return my ARC when I leave Korea?
    On a final departure, yes. Article 37 requires you to hand the card to an immigration officer when you leave. Three exceptions cover ordinary trips. You keep the card if you return within the period of your re-entry permit. You also keep it if you hold a multiple-entry visa or come from a re-entry-permit-exempt country, and return within your permitted period. The same applies to a refugee travel document used within its validity. Most residents on a holiday trip fit the second case and keep their card.
    Is the deadline to report a move 14 days or 15 days?
    Article 36, paragraph 1 says 15 days from the day you move in. A number of English pages print 14 days. Report within 14 days and you will always be inside the legal limit.
    Which of these can I do online?
    You can file a change of address, a passport change, an employment information change, or an extension of stay through Hi Korea (하이코리아) e-Application. You cannot register for the first time or apply for a replacement card online. Hi Korea online services run on weekdays from 07:00 to 22:00.
    Do these rules apply to children?
    The duty to carry identification starts at 17. Immigration may register a child under 17 without issuing a card. Article 33 then gives 90 days from the 17th birthday to apply for one.

    Official sources

    Most figures on this page come from the law itself. Open the article if you want to check a line.

    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Immigration Act · Art. 31 · Art. 33 · Art. 35 · Art. 36 · Art. 37
    · Penalties · Art. 94 · Art. 95 · Art. 98 · Art. 100
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • Korea Visa Extension: When to Apply, the Fee, and Documents

    Korea Visa Extension: When to Apply, the Fee, and Documents

    Many people treat the expiry date on their card as the day to start. It is the last day you can apply, not the first. The window opens four months earlier, and the whole of that window is yours to use.

    Applying late is not a paperwork problem you can fix at the counter. Applying after your expiry date brings a penalty payment, and staying past that date without permission is a criminal offense. Here is the window, the fee, where you have to be when you apply, and what happens if the date passes.

    What this guide covers
    01 When you can apply
    02 Where you must be when you apply
    03 How to apply
    04 What documents you need
    05 How much it costs
    06 What happens if you miss your expiry date

    When you can apply

    Hi Korea (하이코리아, Hai Korea) states the window plainly. You can apply from four months before your current period of stay expires, up to the expiry date itself.

    Your window
    ✓ Opens four months before the expiry date on your card
    ✓ Closes at the end of the expiry date
    ✓ Online applications close earlier, on the day before the expiry date, according to Hi Korea’s deadline table
    ✓ You cannot book a visit reservation for the same day, so book ahead if you plan to go to the counter

    Four months is a long time, but it is still best to apply early in the window. If a document is missing or your employer is slow with a certificate, you still have weeks rather than days. Check the expiry date on your card now and put the date four months before it in your calendar.

    Where you must be when you apply

    This condition appears on the Korean-language page but not on the English one. It can cause problems for people who plan a trip home around their renewal.

    You must be inside Korea on the day you apply
    Hi Korea states that you can apply only if you are staying in Korea on the day of application. You cannot apply from abroad, even through an agent. Leaving the country and having someone file for you does not work.
    An agent can file for you while you are in Korea, but some statuses do not allow an agent at all. Hi Korea names Marriage Immigrant (F-6) as one of them, so check your status before you send someone else.

    Plan travel around this. If your stay expires while you are out of the country, you cannot fix it from there.

    How to apply

    There are two routes, and for many registered foreign residents the online route is the faster one.

    Two routes
    01 Online. Hi Korea e-Application lists Extension of stay for registered foreigners among the services you can file there. Online services run on weekdays from 07:00 to 22:00, and are closed on weekends and public holidays. In Hi Korea’s deadline table, the last day to apply online is the day before your expiry date. If that day falls on a weekend, the last day is the Friday before. People with some statuses cannot extend online at all, including E-7, F-2, F-4 and F-6.
    02 In person. The immigration office with jurisdiction over your address. Book a visit reservation first. Offices have required one since April 2021. You cannot book one for the same day. If you need to cancel, cancel at least one day before your visit.

    If you are a registered foreign resident, you do not get a passport sticker when immigration approves your extension. Under Article 31 of the Enforcement Decree, the office writes the new period on your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) instead.

    What documents you need

    Every application starts with the same four items. The other documents depend on your status of stay.

    Everyone brings
    ✓ The extension application form · 체류기간 연장허가 신청서
    ✓ Your passport · 여권
    ✓ Your Alien Registration Card · 외국인등록증
    ✓ The fee · 수수료

    Each status of stay also has its own list of extra documents. A student on Overseas Study (D-2) needs different documents from a teacher on Foreign Language Instruction (E-2). Hi Korea publishes these lists in one table, sorted by status. That table is the only place to find them. Open the list for your status before you start. Do not guess from a general guide.

    Check one thing first: the address on your card. Immigration looks at your registered place of stay when it reviews an extension. If that address no longer matches where you live, fix it before you apply.

    How much it costs

    The Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act set the fee, not the office, so it is the same everywhere.

    Extension fee
    Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Article 72, subparagraph 6
    Who you are Fee
    Most statuses of stay 60,000 KRW
    Marriage Immigrant (F-6) 30,000 KRW

    Applying online costs less. Article 74 of the same rules cuts this fee by 20% when you apply through Hi Korea, to 48,000 KRW. Marriage immigrants (F-6) cannot extend online, so the 30,000 KRW fee applies to them.

    Related guide
    Korea Visa Extension Fee and Every Other Immigration Fee
    The 20% online discount covers four kinds of application. This guide lists every fee, how each is paid at the office, and who pays nothing.

    For comparison, a change of status of stay is 100,000 KRW and a change or addition of workplace is 120,000 KRW, both from the same list. If someone tells you an extension should cost one of those figures, they are quoting a different application.

    What happens if you miss your expiry date

    Two separate consequences follow, and people often confuse them.

    A late application and an overstay are not the same thing
    Hi Korea states that applying for an extension after the expiry date results in a penalty payment for breaking Article 25 of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법).
    Staying beyond your permitted period is a separate matter. Article 94, subparagraph 7 makes staying outside the scope of your status or period punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.
    If your date has already passed, go to your immigration office and report it rather than waiting. Every day you wait makes the overstay longer.

    A missed extension also stays on your record. Immigration checks your record of stay the next time you apply for anything, including a change of status or permanent residence.

    What to say at the counter

    Five sentences for the immigration office counter. Show the screen if it is easier than speaking.

    체류기간 연장 신청하러 왔습니다.
    Che-ryu-gi-gan yeon-jang sin-cheong-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
    “I am here to apply for an extension of stay.”
    Say this first at the counter.
    예약 확인 부탁드립니다.
    Ye-yak hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
    “Please check my reservation.”
    If you booked a visit on Hi Korea.
    서류가 다 맞는지 봐주시겠어요?
    Seo-ryu-ga da man-neun-ji bwa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
    “Could you check whether my documents are complete?”
    Before you hand everything over.
    수수료는 얼마인가요?
    Su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
    “How much is the fee?”
    The fee is paid at the counter.
    얼마나 연장되나요?
    Eol-ma-na yeon-jang-doe-na-yo?
    “How long will the extension be?”
    The answer depends on your status.
    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Frequently asked questions

    When should I apply for an extension of stay?
    Any time from four months before your expiry date up to the expiry date itself. If you apply online, the last day is the day before your expiry date. Apply early in that window so a missing document does not push you past the date.
    Can I apply for an extension from outside Korea?
    No. Hi Korea states that you must be staying in Korea on the day you apply, and that applications from abroad, including through an agent, are not possible.
    Can someone else apply for me?
    An agent can file while you are in Korea, but not every status allows one. Hi Korea names Marriage Immigrant (F-6) as a status where an agent is not possible, and tells you to check your own status first.
    How much does a visa extension cost in Korea?
    60,000 KRW for most statuses, and 30,000 KRW for Marriage Immigrant (F-6). If you apply online through Hi Korea, the 60,000 KRW fee drops by 20% to 48,000 KRW. The figure comes from Article 72 of the Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, so it does not change from office to office.

    Official sources

    Every figure in this guide comes from the pages below. Rules change, so open the page that matters to your case before you apply.

    · Hi Korea, Extension of Stay · English · Korean
    · Hi Korea, e-Application · service list · visit reservation guide · English
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Immigration Act Article 25 · Article 94
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Enforcement Decree Article 31 · Enforcement Rules Article 72
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea

    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea

    Report the loss online first, then apply for a new card in person. The purpose of the online report is to stop someone else from using your card. The immigration office for your address issues the replacement card, and the fee is 35,000 KRW.

    These are two separate actions, and the first one does not do the second. Reporting the loss does not cancel your old card, and it does not start your new one. Here is what each step does, what you need to bring, and what the law expects of you while you are without a card.

    What this guide covers
    01 What to do first when your card is missing
    02 What the online loss report does and does not do
    03 How soon you must apply for a new card
    04 What documents you need
    05 Where to apply and what it costs
    06 Frequently asked questions

    What to do first when your card is missing

    Hi Korea (하이코리아, Hai Korea) runs a loss report service you can use without logging in. You enter your registration number and verify yourself by mobile phone. The service is called Report loss of residence card (등록증·거소증 분실(철회) 신고). Hi Korea lists it under Other Services, not under e-Application.

    Filing the loss report
    01 Open the Report loss of residence card page on Hi Korea.
    02 Enter your registration number.
    03 Verify yourself with mobile authentication.
    04 Choose Report loss, then submit.

    If you cannot use Hi Korea, the page tells you to visit the immigration office for your area and report the loss there. Either way, do this part before you start collecting documents for the new card.

    What the online loss report does and does not do

    Hi Korea explains the limits of the loss report on the service page.

    The report does not suspend your card
    Hi Korea states that the service exists to prevent wrongful use of a lost card. Reporting the loss does not suspend the card, and it does not restore it. Filing the report is a protection, not a cancellation, and it is not an application for a replacement.
    You can cancel a loss report within 24 hours of filing it. After that window, the cancel option is gone.

    So if you find your card within 24 hours of filing, cancel the report and keep using the card. If you find it later, ask your immigration office what to do before you use the card again.

    How soon you must apply for a new card

    Apply as soon as you can. No deadline applies to a lost card. The reason to hurry is the duty to carry identification.

    Article 27 of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법) requires every foreign resident in Korea to carry identification at all times. This can be a passport, an Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증, ARC), or a mobile Residence Card. You must show it when an immigration officer or another authorized official asks. Residents under 17 are exempt. Article 98, subparagraph 1 makes a breach of that duty punishable by a criminal fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW.

    One case does have a fixed deadline. If you need a new card because your name, sex, date of birth, or nationality changed, you must file a change report under Article 35. The deadline is 15 days from the change.

    What documents you need

    The list below is from Hi Korea. Three items depend on your situation, so read the third column before you leave home.

    Documents for re-issuance
    외국인등록증 재발급 · bring the Korean name to the counter
    Item Korean name When you need it
    Passport 여권 Always
    Re-issuance application form 외국인등록증 재발급 신청서 Always
    Document stating the reason 신청사유를 소명하는 자료 Only when the card is lost
    One color photo, 3.5cm x 4.5cm 컬러사진 1매 Only if your last photo is over 6 months old
    Your old card 구 외국인등록증 Damaged, out of space, or details changed. Not when lost
    Fee 수수료 35,000 KRW

    Check the photo rule before you go. If your last photo was taken less than six months ago, you do not need a new one. If you are not sure when it was taken, bring a photo anyway.

    Where to apply and what it costs

    Apply at the immigration office that covers your current address. Hi Korea has a search page where you enter your region and it returns the office name, address, and the districts it covers. That page works in English.

    The fee is 35,000 KRW. The same fee applies whether the card was lost, damaged, or out of space. It rose from 30,000 KRW on 1 January 2025, when the card began carrying an IC chip.

    Before you go
    ✓ Book a visit reservation. Immigration offices have required one since April 2021.
    ✓ Book at least one day ahead. You cannot book a reservation for the same day you visit. If you need to cancel, cancel at least one day before your visit. You cannot cancel on the day itself.
    ✓ Book with your own details. Hi Korea warns that using another person’s registration or passport number to hold a slot is a criminal offense.
    ✓ Visit reservations are open every day of the year. Hi Korea e-Application services run on weekdays from 07:00 to 22:00 and close on weekends and public holidays.

    Bring your passport with you on the day. Until the new card is in your hand, your passport is what satisfies the duty to carry identification under Article 27.

    What to say at the counter

    Five sentences for the immigration office counter. Show the screen if it is easier than speaking.

    외국인등록증을 잃어버렸습니다.
    Oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jeung-eul i-reo-beo-ryeot-seum-ni-da.
    “I have lost my Alien Registration Card.”
    Say this first at the counter.
    재발급 신청하러 왔습니다.
    Jae-bal-geup sin-cheong-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
    “I am here to apply for a replacement.”
    Follows the sentence above.
    분실 신고는 인터넷으로 했습니다.
    Bun-sil sin-go-neun in-teo-ne-seu-ro haet-seum-ni-da.
    “I already filed the loss report online.”
    If you reported the loss on Hi Korea.
    수수료는 얼마인가요?
    Su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
    “How much is the fee?”
    Use this to confirm the amount.
    새 카드는 언제 나오나요?
    Sae ka-deu-neun eon-je na-o-na-yo?
    “When will the new card be ready?”
    Ask before you leave.
    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Frequently asked questions

    What do I do if I lost my ARC in Korea?
    File the loss report on Hi Korea, then book a visit to the immigration office for your address and apply for a new card. Bring your passport, the application form, a document stating the reason, and 35,000 KRW. Bring a photo too if your last one is over six months old.
    Do I need a police report to replace a lost card?
    Hi Korea’s list of required documents asks for a document stating the reason for the application. A police report is not on that list. Offices can ask for different things, so confirm with yours when you book.
    Is there a 14-day deadline to replace a lost card?
    Article 42 of the Enforcement Decree, which governs re-issuance, sets no separate deadline for a lost card. Some official English pages print 14 days. The 15-day deadline in the Act applies to a change of name, sex, date of birth, or nationality. Either way, the duty to carry identification is the reason to apply at once.
    What if I find my card after reporting it lost?
    Hi Korea lets you cancel a loss report within 24 hours of filing it. Outside that window, ask your immigration office before you use the card again.

    Official sources

    The figures in this guide come from the pages below. Article 72 of the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법 시행규칙) sets the 35,000 KRW fee. Rules change, so open the page that matters to your case before you go.

    · Hi Korea, Residence Card Issuance and Re-issuance · English · Korean
    · Hi Korea, Report loss of residence card · service page
    · Hi Korea, Residence Card Return, Carry, and Present · English
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Immigration Act Article 27 · Article 98 · Enforcement Decree Article 42
    · Hi Korea, immigration office search · search page · visit reservation guide · English
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • ARC Address or Passport Change in Korea: The 15-Day Rule

    ARC Address or Passport Change in Korea: The 15-Day Rule

    Which report you need depends on what changed. If you moved to a new address, you file a change of residence report. If your name, passport, school, or workplace changed, you file a report on your registration details. These are two different reports under two different articles of the Immigration Act.

    Both are due within 15 days. You can file a change of address online, and also a passport or employment change. But the two reports go to different places, and the penalties differ. Missing the address report can lead to a criminal fine. Missing the other report can lead to an administrative fine. This guide shows which one applies to you and how to file it.

    What this guide covers
    01 Which report applies to you
    02 When you must report a change
    03 What documents you need for a change of address
    04 What changes to your registration details you must report
    05 Where to file each report
    06 How to file online, step by step
    07 What happens if you miss the deadline
    08 Frequently asked questions

    Which report applies to you

    Hi Korea (하이코리아, Hai Korea) treats these as two separate services. If you read only the English pages, you may think one report covers everything. It does not. Start by finding your case in the table below.

    Two reports, two sets of rules
    Immigration Act, Articles 35 and 36
    Change of residence report Change of registration details
    What changed Your address in Korea Your name, passport, school, or workplace
    Korean name 체류지 변경신고 외국인등록사항 변경신고
    Deadline 15 days from the day you move in 15 days from the day the change happens
    Where to file Immigration office, city or district office, community service center, or online Immigration office, or online for passport and employment details
    Legal basis Article 36 Article 35
    If you miss it Criminal fine up to 1,000,000 KRW Administrative fine up to 1,000,000 KRW

    If both happened at the same time, file both. Moving to a new address because you changed jobs is two separate changes, not one.

    When you must report a change

    Both reports are due within 15 days. The two deadlines start counting from different events, and that is where most people lose days.

    Where the count starts
    ✓ Change of address: the day you move into the new place, not the day you signed the lease.
    ✓ Change of registration details: the day the change happens, such as the issue date on your new passport.
    ✓ Weekends and public holidays are counted. The 15 days are calendar days.

    File as soon as the change happens. There is no benefit to waiting.

    What documents you need for a change of address

    You need proof that you now live at the new address. Any one of the documents below works. Write down the Korean name of your document, or show this table on your phone at the counter.

    Proof of residence
    체류지 입증서류 · one document is enough
    Document Korean name Who uses it
    Lease contract 임대차계약서 Anyone renting a home
    Confirmation of accommodation 숙소제공확인서 People housed by an employer, a host, or a family member
    Utility bill receipt 공공요금 납부영수증 Anyone with a bill at the new address
    Dormitory fee receipt 기숙사비 영수증 Students living on campus

    You also bring your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증), now officially called the Residence Card. The report form itself is the change of residence report form (체류지 변경신고서), and you complete it at the counter or on screen. There is no fee.

    If someone files for you, that person brings a letter of authorization (위임장) and their own identification. They also bring a document showing your relationship, such as a family relationship certificate.

    What changes to your registration details you must report

    This is the report people miss, because nothing about their daily life changed. Renewing a passport is the most common case. The list below comes from the Korean-language Hi Korea page, which is longer than the English one.

    Report any of these within 15 days
    ✓ Your name, sex, date of birth, or nationality · 성명, 성별, 생년월일, 국적
    ✓ Your passport number, issue date, or expiry date · 여권 번호, 발급일자, 유효기간
    ✓ The organization you belong to, or its name · 소속기관 또는 단체
    ✓ Whether you are enrolled in school · 재학 여부
    ✓ Starting work or changing employer, for Working Visit (H-2) holders · 취업 개시 또는 고용처 변경
    ✓ Your job or your annual income, for some statuses · 직업 또는 연간소득금액

    The organization rule covers Culture and Art (D-1), Overseas Study (D-2), General Training (D-4), Journalism (D-5), Religious Affairs (D-6), Intra-company Transfer (D-7), Corporate Investment (D-8), and Trade Management (D-9). If you hold one of these and you change university or company, this report applies to you.

    The income rule covers a different set of statuses: Intra-company Transfer (D-7) through Trade Management (D-9), Professor (E-1) through Crew Employment (E-10), Residence (F-2), Overseas Korean (F-4), Marriage Immigrant (F-6), and Working Visit (H-2). The school item applies to elementary, middle, and high school only.

    You bring your passport, your Alien Registration Card, and the report form (외국인등록사항변경신고서). You also bring a document that proves the change, such as your new passport or a certificate of enrollment.

    If your name, sex, date of birth, or nationality changed, the office issues you a new card. Article 44 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act requires this, so expect to return your old card.

    Where to file each report

    You can report a change of address in four ways. You do not have to go to an immigration office for it.

    Change of address · four ways
    01 Online through Hi Korea e-Application (전자민원)
    02 The community service center for your new address (읍·면·동 주민센터)
    03 The city, county, or district office for your new address (시·군·구청)
    04 The immigration office with jurisdiction over your new address

    Every option is tied to the new address, not the old one. A change to your registration details goes to the immigration office with jurisdiction over your place of stay. You can also file passport changes and employment information changes online.

    Government 24 (정부24) lists the processing time for a change of address as three days online. It lists in-person filing during office hours as immediate. The report is free.

    Bring your Alien Registration Card with you. Under Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Immigration Act, the office writes the new address on the card and returns it to you. If you hold a mobile Residence Card and file online, the new address is recorded on the mobile card instead.

    You do not need a booking for this one
    Immigration offices have required a visit reservation since April 2021, and you cannot book one for the same day. A change of address is an exception. You can file it online, or at the community service center or district office for your new address. You can also walk into the immigration office for your new address without a booking. Hi Korea says the same is true for a passport change report.

    How to file online, step by step

    Hi Korea e-Application accepts a limited list of services. This guide covers three of them: change of residence, passport change, and employment information change. Registering for the first time is not on that list, so a first Alien Registration Card still requires a visit.

    Filing through Hi Korea
    01 Open Hi Korea and go to e-Application.
    02 Find your report in the list of available applications.
    03 Complete the form with your new address or your new details.
    04 Attach your proof of residence or the document that proves the change.
    05 Submit, and keep the confirmation.

    Scan or photograph your proof of residence before you start, so the upload step does not stop you halfway through.

    What happens if you miss the deadline

    The two reports carry two different kinds of penalty.

    A late address report is a criminal matter
    Failing to report a change of residence can bring a criminal fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW. The rule is Article 98, subparagraph 2 of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법). Failing to report a change to your registration details carries an administrative fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW under Article 100, paragraph 2, subparagraph 1.
    The immigration office can settle this offense with a written notice to pay an amount equal to the fine (Article 102). If you pay as notified, the law does not punish you again for the same case (Article 106). An administrative fine is not a criminal penalty. If your 15 days have already passed, file anyway. Waiting makes it worse.

    Immigration also checks your reported address when you apply for other things, including an extension of stay.

    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I change my address on Hi Korea?
    Open Hi Korea, go to e-Application, and select the change of residence report. Complete the form with your new address and attach one proof of residence document, such as your lease contract. Government 24 lists the online processing time as three days.
    How many days do you have to report a move?
    Article 36, paragraph 1 of the Immigration Act sets 15 days, counted from the day you move in. Some official English pages print 14 days instead. Report within 14 days and you will always be inside the legal limit.
    Do I need an appointment to report a change of address?
    No. You can file online, at a community service center or district office, or at an immigration office. None of them needs a booking for a change of address. Hi Korea says a passport change report does not need one either. Other immigration services need a booking, and you cannot book one for the same day.
    Does my new address get written on my card?
    Yes. Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Immigration Act requires the office to write the change on your Alien Registration Card and return it to you. If you hold a mobile Residence Card and file online, the change is recorded on the mobile card.
    Is a change of address the same as reporting a change to my ARC details?
    No. They are separate reports under Articles 36 and 35 of the Immigration Act. A change of address can be filed at a local government office or online. A change to your name, passport, school, or workplace goes to the immigration office, and only passport and employment changes can be filed online.

    Official sources

    Every figure in this guide comes from the pages below. Rules change, so open the page that matters to your case before you file.

    · Hi Korea, Reporting changes in Foreign Resident Registration · English · Korean
    · Government 24, Report of change of residence for foreign residents · Korean
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, Easy Law · foreign resident registration and change reports · Korean
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, Immigration Act Articles 35 and 36 · Article 35 · Article 36
    · Hi Korea, e-Application service list · Korean
    · Hi Korea, visit reservation guide · Korean · English
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you file, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline

    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline

    Many people count the 90 days from the date printed on their visa. The count starts the day you enter Korea. You must register within 90 days of arrival, and you must do it in person. There is no online option for first-time registration.

    This guide puts everything on one page. It covers who must register, what to bring, the photo, the fee, booking, and the office visit. Every fact below comes from Hi Korea (하이코리아), the official portal of the Korea Immigration Service, unless the text names another source. The card’s official English name is now Residence Card. This guide uses the older name, Alien Registration Card, because many official pages still use it.

    What this guide covers
    01What you cannot do online
    02Who needs an Alien Registration Card
    03When you must apply
    04What documents you need
    05What your photo must look like
    06How much it costs
    07Where to apply
    08How to book your visit
    09How to apply, step by step

    What you cannot do online

    Hi Korea runs an online service called e-Application. You can do several immigration tasks there without visiting an office. First-time foreign resident registration is not one of them.

    Here is what the e-Application page lists as available online:

    Available online through e-Application
    ✓Extension of stay for registered foreign residents
    ✓Change of status of stay for registered foreign residents
    ✓Report of a change of residence (체류지 변경신고)
    ✓Report of a passport change (여권변경 신고)
    ✓Report of a change in employment information
    ✓Multiple re-entry permit
    ✓Permission for some activities outside your status, such as housekeeping and childcare work
    ✓Part-time work permit for D-2 and D-4-1 students

    Foreign resident registration does not appear on that list. You have to go to an immigration office in person, so plan for a visit from the start.

    Who needs an Alien Registration Card

    Hi Korea states the rule this way: foreigners intending to stay in Korea for more than 90 days after entry must register.

    People often miss two points.

    The rule is about your intended stay, not how long you actually stay. If your visa allows a one-year stay and you plan to use it, you must register within 90 days. If you change your status of stay while you are in Korea, you register when you receive the new status, not 90 days later.

    If you are staying 90 days or fewer, you do not register.

    When you must apply

    You must apply within 90 days of the day you enter Korea.

    The count starts on your entry date, the date stamped in your passport at the airport. It does not start on the date your visa was issued, and it does not start on the date your visa becomes valid.

    If you changed your status of stay inside Korea, the deadline is different. Hi Korea says you register immediately after being notified of the new status.

    Book your visit early. The 90 days is the deadline for applying, not for booking. Immigration offices require an appointment, and you cannot book for the same day. Leave yourself room.

    What happens if you miss the deadline
    Failing to register is a crime under Article 95, subparagraph 7 of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법). The penalty is up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. Article 46, paragraph 1, subparagraph 12 of the same Act also makes it grounds for deportation.
    If your 90 days have already passed, go to your immigration office and report it. Waiting makes it worse.

    What documents you need

    Every document you submit must have been issued within the last three months. Hi Korea applies this rule to every document. The office will not accept a certificate issued four months ago.

    What everyone must bring

    Common required documents
    Hi Korea, Documents for Foreign Resident Registration · verified September 2026
    Document Korean name Notes
    Passport 여권 Bring one photocopy of the personal information page and one of the visa page
    Application form 신청서 Download it from Hi Korea, or fill one in at the office
    One color photo 컬러사진 1매 3.5cm × 4.5cm. See the photo section below
    Fee 수수료 35,000 KRW in cash
    Proof of your address 체류지입증서류 See the list below

    Several kinds of documents count as proof of your address. Hi Korea gives these examples: a lease contract (임대차계약서), a confirmation that accommodation is provided to you (숙소제공확인서), a notice that your period of stay is about to expire (체류기간만료예고통지문), or a receipt for a utility bill (공공요금납부영수증). The list is not closed, so other documents that show where you live may be accepted.

    If you live in a dormitory or in housing your employer arranged, ask your school or employer for the accommodation confirmation (숙소제공확인서).

    What your visa status adds

    On top of the common documents, each status of stay has its own list. Below are five of the most common. Hi Korea publishes the full table for more than 25 statuses, from D-1 to H-2C, and the link is in the sources at the end.

    Additional documents by status of stay
    Five common statuses · Hi Korea · verified September 2026
    Status What to add
    D-2
    Overseas study
    유학    		 A certificate of studentship (재학증명서)
    D-4
    General training
    일반연수    		 Language training at a university, or elementary, middle and high school students: a certificate of studentship (재학증명서).
    Other training: a document proving the training organization is legally established, such as a copy of its business registration
    E-2
    Foreign language instructor
    회화지도    		 A copy of the employer’s business registration certificate (사업자등록증) or certificate of proper number (고유번호증), and an employment physical exam report from a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice, including drug test results
    E-7
    Specially designated activities
    특정활동    		 A copy of the employer’s business registration certificate (사업자등록증). Teaching roles at foreign schools, foreign educational institutions and international high schools also need the employment physical exam report with drug test results
    F-6
    Marriage immigrant
    결혼이민    		 Your Korean spouse’s detailed marriage relationship certificate (혼인관계증명서 상세) and their resident registration extract (주민등록등본)

    Two of these statuses require a medical exam with a drug test. That exam has to come from a hospital the Ministry of Justice has designated, so not every clinic can do it. Ask your employer or school which hospital near you is on the list, and book it early.

    What your photo must look like

    Hi Korea publishes the photo rules only in Korean. Here is what that page says.

    Photo requirements
    ✓3.5cm wide by 4.5cm tall
    ✓Color photo on a white background
    ✓Facing forward
    ✓Taken within the last six months

    This is the same size as a Korean passport photo. At a photo studio, ask for a passport photo (여권사진, yeo-kkwon-sa-jin).

    How much it costs

    Registration costs 35,000 KRW. The fee rose from 30,000 KRW on 1 January 2025, when the card began carrying an IC chip.

    The office takes cash only. Bring the exact amount in Korean won if you can. A card will not work, and neither will a transfer from your phone.

    Some applicants do not pay the fee. This includes applicants with a corporate investment status (D-8, 기업투자).

    Where to apply

    You apply at the immigration office that covers the district where you live. It is not your choice. Each office has a fixed jurisdiction, and you go to the one your address falls under.

    Hi Korea has a lookup page for this, and it works in English. You can either pick your region from a list of 16, or enter the name of an office. The results show each office’s name, its street address, and the districts it covers. Find your district in that last column.

    Related guide
    Which Immigration Office in Korea? Find Yours by Address
    The office nearest you may not be your office. This guide maps every district in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do to its office.

    Check this before you book. If you book at the wrong office, you will have to start again.

    How to book your visit

    This part confuses many people, because the English version of the booking page is much shorter than the Korean one. The rules below come from the Korean page.

    You cannot walk in. Since April 2021, every immigration office in Korea runs on appointments. Without a booking, the office will not accept your application.

    You cannot book for today. The earliest date you can book is the next day. Same-day appointments are not possible.

    You cannot cancel on the day. You can cancel up to one day before your appointment. On the day itself, the slot is locked.

    The booking must be in your own name. Even if someone else applies for you, the booking must use your personal details, not theirs.

    You can book with a Hi Korea account or as a non-member after identity verification. Either route works.

    Two reports do not need an appointment
    You can report a change of residence or a passport change without booking. You can also do both online. First-time registration cannot.

    How to apply, step by step

    1Find your office. Use the Hi Korea lookup and match your district to an office.
    2Book your visit. Book on Hi Korea, at least one day ahead, in your own name.
    3Collect your documents. Common documents plus whatever your status requires. Nothing older than three months.
    4Get your photo. 3.5 × 4.5cm, white background, taken in the last six months.
    5Bring 35,000 KRW in cash. Cards are not accepted.
    6Go to your appointment. Submit everything and pay at the counter.
    7Wait for your card. The office will tell you how and when to collect it.

    Keep your appointment confirmation and any receipt you are given. You will need them if you have to ask about your application later.

    What to say at the counter

    Five sentences for the immigration office counter. Show the screen if it is easier than speaking.

    외국인등록 신청하러 왔습니다.
    Oe-gu-gin-deung-nok sin-cheong-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
    “I am here to apply for foreign resident registration.”
    Say this first at the counter.
    예약 확인 부탁드립니다.
    Ye-yak hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
    “Please check my reservation.”
    If you booked a visit on Hi Korea.
    서류가 다 맞는지 봐주시겠어요?
    Seo-ryu-ga da man-neun-ji bwa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
    “Could you check whether my documents are complete?”
    Before you hand everything over.
    수수료는 얼마인가요?
    Su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
    “How much is the fee?”
    The fee is paid at the counter.
    카드는 언제 나오나요?
    Ka-deu-neun eon-je na-o-na-yo?
    “When will the card be ready?”
    Ask before you leave.
    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    After you get your card, some changes have their own deadlines. If you move, change your passport, or lose the card, you must report it in time. Missing a deadline can mean a fine.

    Frequently asked questions

    How long does it take to get an Alien Registration Card?
    Processing times differ by office, so ask at the counter when you apply.
    Can I apply for an Alien Registration Card online?
    No. First-time foreign resident registration is not on the list of services available through Hi Korea’s e-Application system. You must book an appointment and go in person. You can do some later tasks online, such as reporting a change of residence or extending your stay.
    Is the Alien Registration Card the same as the Residence Card?
    Yes. They are the same document. The official English name is now Residence Card, and the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act uses that name in its forms. Hi Korea pages still use several names: Alien Registration Card, Foreigner Registration Card and Foreign Resident Registration. All of them refer to the card described here.

    Official sources

    ·Hi Korea — Foreign Resident Registration
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — Documents for Foreign Resident Registration (full table by status)
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — Photo standards
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — Visit reservation
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — Find your immigration office
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — e-Application
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Jung-gu District Office, Seoul — Alien Registration (processing time)
    junggu.seoul.kr
    ·Ministry of Government Legislation — Immigration Act, Articles 31, 46 and 95 (Korean)
    easylaw.go.kr
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.