Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea: Who Needs One, Documents and How to Renew

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Foreigners who intend to stay in Korea for 91 days or longer must register with the immigration office, and new arrivals must do so within 90 days of entry, according to the Jung-gu (Seoul) district office. The result is a registration card, which Korean universities and local offices now often call the residence card. This article explains who needs it, what the local pages list as documents, how reservation and fees work, and what the same sources say about changes and reissue.

Who needs to register and by when

Jung-gu’s English page applies the rule to foreigners who intend to stay 91 days or longer. New entrants have 90 days from the date of entry, and people granted a status of stay after arrival should register immediately after permission. The Hanam city page adds that people born in Korea have 90 days from birth and that those without status must register within 30 days. A student-focused page from Seoul National University applies the 90-day rule to exchange and visiting students, and a language-institute page says applicants who miss the deadline face fines.

Where to apply and how to reserve

Registration is handled by the immigration office with jurisdiction over your address, or its branch. Jung-gu and Hanam both state that a visit must be reserved in advance on the HiKorea website. Hanam notes that online reservation has been required since April 2021, except for residence changes and passport updates. Seoul National University says slots can be hard to find at semester transitions but may reopen through cancellations, which is a reason to book early rather than near day 90.

Documents and fees listed by local sources

The lists differ by page and by visa type, so treat the following as examples and check HiKorea for your status:

  • Jung-gu: registration application form, passport, one colour photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm), the documents required for your status of stay, and a 30,000 won fee.
  • Hanam: the registration form, passport with copies of the identity and visa pages, three colour photos taken within six months, and proof of residence such as a lease, accommodation certificate or utility bills. Fee: 30,000 won in cash. Further documents may be requested after screening.
  • Incheon: passport, registration form and a colour photo, with additional documents varying by status and to be checked on HiKorea. Fee: 30,000 won.
  • Seoul National University (for its students): application form with photo, passport, an enrollment certificate, proof of residence and, for citizens of specified countries, a TB test certificate. The page gives the fee as 35,000 won.

The photo count, the fee and the extra documents all vary, which is why one page should not be copied as a universal list. Cash, not card, is stated for Hanam, so ask your office about payment.

Processing time and collection

Reports on delivery speed differ. Hanam says the card is issued within one week at the registration location. Jung-gu says cards arrive by mail in about four weeks, or can be collected in person. A language-institute page gives five to six weeks, and Seoul National University gives six to eight weeks of working days. Two pages warn that students should not leave Korea while waiting, since leaving before the card is issued can affect the visa. Ask your own office for the expected date and whether leaving the country is allowed during processing.

Changes, loss and reissue

The sources agree that some events require a reissue or an update, but they differ on the deadline. Hanam, Incheon and Seoul National University say reissue must be requested within 14 days of the event, while Yonsei University’s page says 15 days. Listed triggers are loss, theft, damage, a lack of space on the card and changes to personal details such as name, sex, birth date or nationality. Address changes are a separate report: Hanam and Yonsei say 15 days, while Incheon and Gwangjin-gu say 14 days, and Gwangjin-gu says failure to report can bring a fine of up to one million won. Because the stated deadlines differ, act as soon as possible rather than counting days.

Extending your stay

Registration is not the same as extending permission to stay. As an example for one visa type, Yonsei’s page says holders of the D-2 student visa can apply for an extension starting four months before the current expiry date, either individually through the immigration office or HiKorea or through a collective application held by the university, with a fee of 60,000 won. It also says that applying after expiry brings penalties under the Immigration Act. Other visa types have their own rules, so check HiKorea for your status.

A step-by-step checklist

  1. Note your entry date and count 90 days; set a reminder well before the end.
  2. Reserve an appointment on HiKorea for the immigration office covering your address.
  3. Gather the passport, photos, proof of residence and any status-specific documents.
  4. Prepare the fee in the form your office accepts.
  5. Attend the appointment and ask when and how you will receive the card.
  6. After issue, keep a photo of the card in a secure place and note any expiry dates.
  7. Report any change of address or personal details promptly.

Common mistakes and what to verify

  • Waiting for the deadline. Appointment slots can be scarce.
  • Copying another person’s document list. Requirements depend on visa type and office.
  • Travelling before the card is issued. Two of the pages read warn students against leaving Korea during processing.
  • Missing a change report. Address and personal detail changes have short deadlines.
  • Confusing registration with an extension. They are separate procedures.

Rules change: confirm with the official bodies

This article is general information and not legal or immigration advice. Registration deadlines, fees, documents and penalties are set by the Ministry of Justice and the immigration offices and may be updated; the local pages above are summaries that do not always agree. Confirm your own situation on HiKorea, with your immigration office or through the 1345 hotline before acting.

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