Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea: 2026 procedure guide
Who must register, the documents to prepare, fees, card issuance times, and your obligations after receiving the card — updated for 2026.
Any foreigner staying in South Korea for more than 90 days is legally required to register and obtain the Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증, also called the Residence Card, abbreviated ARC). It is the official identity document that replaces your passport in everyday domestic transactions in Korea — from opening a bank account, registering a mobile phone SIM, and joining health insurance, all the way to signing a housing lease. Without it, most of these basic services remain out of reach.
Registration is handled by the Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인청). Appointments are booked and applications filed online through the HiKorea portal (hikorea.go.kr).
1. Who must register for an ARC
The registration obligation applies to foreigners holding a long-term status of stay who intend to remain in Korea for more than 90 days. The most common groups include:
- Student visas: D-2, D-4
- Work and professional visas: E-1 through E-7
- Residence, marriage, and overseas-Korean visas: F-2, F-4, F-5, F-6
- Investment and job-seeking visas: D-8, D-10
- Working holiday visas: H-1, H-2
Exempt from registration: diplomatic statuses (A-1, A-2, A-3) and short-stay visitors (C-class visas or visa-free entry of no more than 90 days). In practice, this means almost everyone who comes to Korea to study, work, invest, or live with family needs the card.
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Fill ARC forms →2. Registration deadline: 90 days from entry
The deadline for filing the ARC application is within 90 days of the date of entry — counted from the entry stamp in your passport, not from the start date of your employment contract or the day you sign a housing lease. The entry stamp is the only date that matters for this calculation. Registering after the deadline can lead to an administrative fine under the Korean Immigration Act.
A practical recommendation: book your appointment on HiKorea within the first two weeks after arriving in Korea, because slots at the larger offices (especially in the Seoul area) are often fully booked weeks in advance. Waiting until the deadline approaches leaves very little room to recover if no appointment is available.
3. Documents to prepare
Standard documents for every visa type:
- Application form (Form 34 — download it from HiKorea or pick one up at the immigration office)
- Original passport + 1 photocopy of the personal information page
- ID photo in colour, white background, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months
- Proof of residential address in Korea: a housing lease contract (월세/전세), a residence confirmation from your dormitory, or a confirmation from your landlord or sponsor
- The fee (see the Fees section)
- Additional documents by visa type (for example: an employment contract, a certificate of enrolment, diplomas, and similar evidence)
A special note for citizens of certain countries: holders of passports from the list of 35 countries with a high tuberculosis burden (including Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and others) must additionally submit a tuberculosis (TB) test result issued by a hospital designated by the Ministry of Justice. Children under 6 years of age and pregnant women are exempt from this requirement.
4. Fees
- First-time card issuance fee: ₩35,000
- Card delivery by post (optional): +₩3,000
- Electronic residence card (Mobile Residence Card): free of charge
The fee is paid with government revenue stamps (수입인지) purchased at the immigration office or at a partner bank — cash is not handed directly to the officer. Buying the stamp at the counter just before submitting the file is the usual practice.
5. Where to register and the process
Step 1 — Book an appointment online: go to hikorea.go.kr and create an account using your passport number and entry details. Select the "Reserve visit" menu (방문예약) → choose the immigration office responsible for the district where you live (not the office nearest your workplace) → select the "Foreigner registration" service (외국인등록) → pick a date and time.
Since 2025, immigration offices nationwide no longer accept applications without an appointment (walk-in). Booking in advance is mandatory.
Step 2 — Prepare the photo and any additional documents: if you fall under the TB test requirement, contact a designated hospital early, because results are usually returned after 2–5 working days.
Step 3 — Submit the file at the office: arrive on time for the appointment, buy the revenue stamp at the counter, and hand the complete file to the officer. Once the application is accepted, the applicant receives a receipt slip — keep it as temporary proof while waiting for the card.
Step 4 — Wait for the card: standard processing takes about 4 weeks; D-2/D-4 student visas can take 5–6 weeks. During this waiting period, do not leave Korea unless a separate re-entry permit (재입국허가) has already been granted. When the card is ready, it can be collected in person at the office or delivered by post (an extra ₩3,000).
6. Obligations after receiving the card
The ARC is an identity document — foreigners are obliged to carry the card when going out and to present it when requested.
The following changes must be reported within 14 days:
- Change of residential address → report at the district or township office (구청/읍면사무소) or through HiKorea
- Passport renewal or replacement
- Change of workplace (for work visas)
- Loss of or damage to the card → apply for reissuance (same documents and fee as the first application)
Visa extension: an extension application can be filed through HiKorea as early as 4 months before the expiry date. It is best not to wait until the deadline is close.
Returning the card when leaving Korea permanently: under the regulations, a foreigner whose status of stay ends must return the ARC to the immigration authorities.
Electronic residence card (Mobile Residence Card): since January 2025, residence cards have been issued with an integrated IC chip, and a free electronic version is available through the Mobile IDentification app (iOS/Android). The electronic card carries the same legal validity as the physical card at most government agencies, banks, and hospitals.