What Is Alien Registration?

Any foreigner planning to stay in Korea for more than 90 days must register as an alien and obtain an Alien Registration Card (ARC). Completing registration unlocks access to health insurance, banking, phone contracts, and school enrollment for children. You are required to carry your ARC at all times.

Who Needs to Register?

Registration is mandatory for foreigners staying 91 days or longer, those who lost Korean nationality and acquired a foreign one, and foreign-born children in Korea who intend to stay beyond 91 days from the date they obtained a status of stay.

Exemptions include diplomats (A-1, A-2, A-3) and their families, Canadian citizens staying under six months on certain visas (D-1, D-6, F-1, F-3, G-1), and registered foreigners under 17 years old (registration becomes required within 90 days of turning 17).

Registration Deadline

If you plan to stay 91 days or more, you must register within 90 days from your date of entry. If you received a new status of stay or permission to change status, register immediately after approval.

Required Documents

Prepare the following before visiting the immigration office:

• Completed alien registration application form
• Passport
• One color photo (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)
• Documents specific to your visa status of stay
• Residence certification documents (lease agreement, accommodation confirmation letter, utility bill receipt, etc.)
• Fee: 30,000 KRW

How to Apply

Step 1: Make a reservation on the Hi Korea website (www.hikorea.go.kr) — you cannot walk in without one.

Step 2: Visit the immigration office with jurisdiction over your address on your reserved date.

Step 3: Submit all documents at the counter.

Step 4: Receive your ARC in person at the office or by mail. Processing takes approximately four weeks.

Seoul Immigration Offices

Seoul Immigration Office (151 Mokdongdong-ro, Yangcheon-gu) covers Gwanak-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Gangnam-gu, Gangdong-gu, Dongjak-gu, Songpa-gu, Seongdong-gu, Seocho-gu, Yongsan-gu, and also Seongnam-si, Hanam-si, Gwacheon-si.

Seoul Immigration Office Sejongno Branch (38 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Global Center 2F/3F) covers Jongno-gu, Jung-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Jungnang-gu, Dobong-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Nowon-gu.

Seoul Southern Immigration Office (48 Magokseo 1-ro, Gangseo-gu) covers Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu, Gangseo-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu.

Your Reporting Obligations After Registration

Once registered, you are legally required to report certain changes. Failure to do so can result in fines or penalties.

• Change of address: Report within 15 days (14 days for F-4 visa holders) to the immigration office or local community center (eup/myeon/dong).
• Change of personal information (name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport details): Report within 15 days (45 days for passport changes).
• Change of employer or affiliated organization: Report within 15 days.

Surrendering Your ARC

You must return your ARC in these situations:

• When you permanently leave Korea — surrender at the airport during departure inspection.
• When you acquire Korean nationality — within 30 days, submit documents proving nationality acquisition and loss of foreign nationality.
• When the registered foreigner passes away — within 30 days, with a death certificate or post-mortem report.

Failure to return the ARC within the deadline may result in a fine.

Lost ARC Before Departure?

If your departure date is imminent, apply for reissuance at the immigration office with jurisdiction over your residence. You can submit the reissuance receipt instead of the ARC during departure inspection.

TB Test Requirement

Nationals of high-risk TB countries must submit a TB test report when applying for a visa, changing status, or extending stay. The test can be taken at a community health center and is valid for three months. A-1, A-2, A-3 visa holders and children under six are exempt.

High-risk countries include Nepal, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Russia, Pakistan, Cambodia, and others.

Key Contacts

Immigration Contact Center: 1345 (20 languages including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese). Hours: 09:00-18:00 weekdays, 18:00-22:00 for Korean/Chinese/English.