Tag: multicultural immigrants center

  • Which Immigration Office in Korea? Find Yours by Address

    Which Immigration Office in Korea? Find Yours by Address

    On 19 October 2026, the Seoul Immigration Office moved from Mokdong to a new building at 55 Jeongui-ro, Songpa-gu. The old Mokdong building no longer takes applications. The districts the office serves are the same as before.

    Your immigration office is set by the address you register, not by distance and not by where you work. A Ministry of Justice rule assigns every city and district in Korea to one office. Here is how to find yours, the full map for Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do, and what changes when you move.

    What this guide covers
    01 Why your address decides your office
    02 How to find your office on Hi Korea
    03 Which office covers Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do
    04 Which office covers the rest of Korea
    05 What changed since 2022
    06 Which other counters can take your case
    07 What happens when you move

    Why your address decides your office

    Korean immigration law calls your address your place of stay (체류지). The Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법 시행령) sends several applications to the office “with jurisdiction over the place of stay” (체류지 관할).

    Applications the decree sends to your own office
    ✓ Alien registration, and the first card at age 17 (Articles 40 and 41)
    ✓ A replacement card, or a re-issued permanent residence card (Articles 42 and 42-2)
    ✓ A report that your registration details changed (Article 44)
    ✓ Returning your card, for example when you become a Korean national (Article 46)

    The decree does not use the word jurisdiction for an extension of stay. Hi Korea’s Korean guide to extensions still tells you to apply at the immigration office with jurisdiction over your address (주소지 관할).

    Your workplace and your school do not change this. Neither does the distance from your home. The office for each address is fixed in Annex 4 of the Ministry of Justice rules on its own organization (법무부와 그 소속기관 직제 시행규칙). Hi Korea’s office search uses the same areas.

    How to find your office on Hi Korea

    Hi Korea has a search page for this, and it works in English. You do not need an account or a login. The English page is called Office Directory, and the Korean page is 관할 출입국·외국인관서 조회.

    Finding your office
    01 Open Hi Korea and go to Other Services, then Office Directory.
    02 Choose your province or city under Category Area, and press Search.
    03 Read the Jurisdiction area column, not the Address column. Find your city, county or district there.
    04 Write down the office name and its address. This is the office you choose when you book a visit.

    The Address column only shows where the building is. The Jurisdiction area column is the one that decides. The list also shows counters called Multicultural Immigrants Centers, which are covered further down.

    Which office covers Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do

    Areas verified October 2026 · Ministry of Justice organization rules, Annex 4 (amended 30 June 2026) · Seoul office address from Hi Korea notice (6 October 2026)

    Seoul is split among three offices. Go by the district you live in, not by the office that is closest. Look for your own district in the table.

    Seoul · three offices
    Find your district in the first column
    Your district Your office Where it is
    Gangnam, Gangdong, Gwanak, Gwangjin, Dongjak, Seocho, Seongdong, Songpa, Yongsan Seoul Immigration Office
    서울출입국·외국인청
    55 Jeongui-ro, Songpa-gu (Munjeong-dong)
    From 19 October 2026 · Munjeong Station Exit 4, about 10 minutes on foot
    Eunpyeong, Jongno, Jung, Dongdaemun, Seongbuk, Gangbuk, Dobong, Nowon, Jungnang Sejongno Branch of the Seoul office
    세종로출장소
    Seoul Global Center, 38 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu
    Gangseo, Guro, Geumcheon, Mapo, Seodaemun, Yeongdeungpo, Yangcheon Seoul Southern Immigration Office
    서울남부출입국·외국인사무소
    48 Magokseo 1-ro, Gangseo-gu (Magok)

    Hi Korea’s English pages call the third office Seoul Nambu. Nambu (남부) means southern, so Seoul Nambu and Seoul Southern are the same office. It is in Magok.

    Some maps, blogs and older letters still give the Seoul office address as 151 Mokdongdong-ro, Yangcheon-gu. That is the old building. Since 19 October 2026, the office works only at the new address in Songpa-gu.

    Incheon and Gyeonggi-do
    Every city and county, by office
    Office Cities and counties it serves
    Incheon Immigration Office
    인천출입국·외국인청
    All of Incheon except the airport · Bucheon, Gimpo
    Seoul Immigration Office
    서울출입국·외국인청
    Gwacheon, Seongnam, Hanam
    Suwon Immigration Office
    수원출입국·외국인청
    Suwon, Yongin, Hwaseong, Icheon, Gwangju-si, Yeoju, Uiwang, Yangpyeong
    Pyeongtaek Branch of the Suwon office
    평택출장소
    Pyeongtaek, Anseong, Osan
    Ansan Immigration Office
    안산출입국·외국인사무소
    Ansan, Siheung, Anyang, Gunpo, Gwangmyeong
    Yangju Immigration Office
    양주출입국·외국인사무소
    Uijeongbu, Dongducheon, Guri, Namyangju, Yangju, Pocheon, Yeoncheon
    Goyang Branch of the Yangju office
    고양출장소
    Goyang, Paju
    Chuncheon Immigration Office
    춘천출입국·외국인사무소
    Gapyeong

    Three rows catch people out. Gapyeong goes to Chuncheon, in Gangwon-do. Gwangmyeong goes to Ansan, not to Seoul. And Gwangju-si in this table is the city in Gyeonggi-do, not the city of Gwangju in the southwest.

    Which office covers the rest of Korea

    Outside the capital area, most regions have one main office and a few branches. The right-hand column lists the places that go to a branch or another office.

    Other regions · main office and exceptions
    Ministry of Justice organization rules, Annex 4 (amended 30 June 2026)
    Region Main office Exceptions
    Busan Busan Immigration Office
    부산출입국·외국인청
    Also serves Yangsan in Gyeongsangnam-do
    Ulsan Ulsan Immigration Office
    울산출입국·외국인사무소
    Also serves Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do
    Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do Daegu Immigration Office
    대구출입국·외국인사무소
    Gumi Branch: Gumi, Gimcheon, Sangju, Chilgok, Mungyeong · Pohang Branch: Pohang, Ulleung, Yeongdeok, Uljin · Gyeongju: Ulsan office
    Gyeongsangnam-do Changwon Immigration Office
    창원출입국·외국인사무소
    Gimhae, Miryang: Gimhae Branch of the Busan office · Yangsan: Busan office · Tongyeong, Geoje: their own branches · Sacheon, Namhae, Hadong: Sacheon Branch
    Daejeon, Sejong, Chungcheongnam-do Daejeon Immigration Office
    대전출입국·외국인사무소
    Cheonan Branch: Cheonan, Asan, Yesan · Seosan Branch: Seosan, Taean, Hongseong · Dangjin Branch: Dangjin
    Chungcheongbuk-do Cheongju Immigration Office
    청주출입국·외국인사무소
    Yeongdong, Okcheon: Daejeon office
    Jeonbuk Jeonju Immigration Office
    전주출입국·외국인사무소
    Gunsan Branch: Gunsan
    Jeonnam-Gwangju Gwangju Immigration Office
    광주출입국·외국인사무소
    Mokpo Branch: Mokpo, Muan, Sinan, Jindo, Haenam, Wando, Yeongam · Yeosu Immigration Office: Yeosu, Suncheon · Gwangyang Branch: Gwangyang
    Gangwon Chuncheon Immigration Office
    춘천출입국·외국인사무소
    Donghae Branch: Donghae, Gangneung, Samcheok, Taebaek, Jeongseon · Sokcho Branch: Sokcho, Goseong, Yangyang · Cheorwon: Yangju office
    Jeju Jeju Immigration Office
    제주출입국·외국인청
    —

    If your city or county appears in the right-hand column, that line applies instead of the main office. Branch addresses are on the Hi Korea search page.

    What changed since 2022

    Lists of immigration offices are easy to find in English, and many carry no date. Two changes decide whether a list is current.

    Two changes to check a list against
    › March 2022 — Ansan got its own immigration office (안산출입국·외국인사무소). It serves five cities: Ansan, Siheung, Anyang, Gunpo and Gwangmyeong.
    › June 2026 — Annex 4 was amended on 30 June 2026. It now names Gwangju and Jeollanam-do together as Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City (전남광주통합특별시). The Gwangju and Yeosu offices and their branches keep their names.

    So a list that shows Ansan as a branch of the Incheon office predates March 2022. Use Hi Korea’s search instead. It matches the current Annex 4.

    Which other counters can take your case

    The Hi Korea list includes counters that are not offices in Annex 4. Most are Multicultural Immigrants Centers (다문화이주민플러스센터). Each one serves the same area as an office.

    Extra counters in Hi Korea’s list
    Each serves the same area as the office on the right
    Counter Same area as
    Gimpo Multicultural Immigrants Center
    김포다문화이주민플러스센터
    Incheon Immigration Office
    Yeongdeungpo center
    영등포 출입국민원센터
    Seoul Southern Immigration Office
    Ansan and Siheung Multicultural Immigrants Centers
    안산·시흥다문화이주민플러스센터
    Ansan Immigration Office
    Cheonan and Asan Multicultural Immigrants Centers
    천안·아산다문화이주민플러스센터
    Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon office
    Eumseong Multicultural Immigrants Center
    음성다문화이주민플러스센터
    Cheongju Immigration Office
    Iksan Multicultural Immigrants Center
    익산다문화이주민플러스센터
    Jeonju Immigration Office
    Andong center
    안동 출입국 센터
    Andong, Yeongju, Bonghwa, Yeongyang, Yecheon, Uiseong, Cheongsong

    What each center handles differs by center, and some tasks stay with the main office. Take the Ansan area as an example. The Ministry of Justice lists registration and stay permits at its two centers. Visa work stays at the main office near Gojan Station.

    Related guide
    Ansan Immigration Office: Three Addresses and What Each One Does
    Visa work in the Ansan area goes to the Gojan Station office, not to the two centers. This guide shows which address handles which task.

    Annex 4 also gives the Seoul Immigration Office a wider reach for some people. It can handle registration and stay permits for residents of Seoul and Gyeonggi-do such as foreign investors, professors and scientists invited by the government.

    What happens when you move

    Deadline verified October 2026 · Immigration Act, Article 36 · Enforcement Decree, Article 45

    Your office follows your address. When you move into another office’s area, the new office becomes your office.

    You must report the move within 15 days of moving in. You can report it at the community service center (읍·면·동) of your new address. The city, county or district office there also takes it, and so does your new immigration office. You can also report online. After the report, your old office sends your registration record to the new one.

    Related guide
    ARC Address or Passport Change in Korea: The 15-Day Rule
    A move has to be reported within 15 days, and a late report can bring a fine. This guide covers the proof of residence to bring and filing online on Hi Korea.

    From then on, choose the new office when you book a visit on Hi Korea.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which Seoul immigration office should I go to?
    It depends on the district you live in, not on where you work. Nine districts, including Gangnam and Yongsan, go to the Seoul Immigration Office in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu. Nine districts in the north, including Jongno and Nowon, go to the Sejongno Branch. Seven districts in the west, including Mapo and Yangcheon, go to Seoul Southern in Magok.
    Can I go to any immigration office in Korea?
    Not for registration, a replacement card, or a report of changed details. The Enforcement Decree sends these to the office with jurisdiction over your place of stay. In some areas a Multicultural Immigrants Center serves the same area as your office. A change of address is different: your community service center can take it.
    Can I go to the immigration office without an appointment in Korea?
    For most tasks, no. Every office has required a visit reservation on Hi Korea since April 2021, and the earliest date you can book is tomorrow. A short list of counter services is exempt. How to book an immigration appointment on Hi Korea covers the booking and the exempt services.
    What is an immigration office called in Korean?
    The larger offices are 출입국·외국인청 (chu-rip-guk oe-gu-gin-cheong). The others are 출입국·외국인사무소 (chu-rip-guk oe-gu-gin-sa-mu-so), and branches are 출장소 (chul-jang-so). All three start with 출입국 (chu-rip-guk), which means entry and exit.
    Before you visit immigration
    How to Book an Immigration Appointment in Korea on Hi Korea
    Offices have required a booking since 2021, and the earliest slot is tomorrow.
    Which Immigration Office in Korea? Find Yours by Address
    Your office is set by your address. How to find it on Hi Korea, and the full map for Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do.

    Official sources

    The office areas in this guide come from the pages below. Areas change when the rules are amended, so check the current version before you book.

    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Ministry of Justice organization rules (Korean) · Annex 4 is under 별표 · Enforcement Decree Article 40 · Article 45 · Immigration Act Article 36
    · Hi Korea, office search · English · Korean
    · Hi Korea, extension of stay guide (Korean)
    · Hi Korea, notice on the Seoul office move (Korean, 6 October 2026)
    · Ministry of Justice, Ansan Immigration Office · office introduction (Korean)
    Information verified as of October 2026. Office areas change when the Ministry of Justice amends its rules. Confirm your office on Hi Korea before you book, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.