Anyone staying in Korea longer than 90 days must register with immigration within 90 days of arrival. The card unlocks almost everything else — a full bank account, a postpaid phone, health insurance — so book the visit as soon as you have an address.
What to bring
Application form (available at the office or on HiKorea).
Passport.
One color photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, taken within the last six months.
Fee of 30,000 KRW — many offices take cash only.
Proof of address: housing contract, dormitory certificate, or a residence confirmation from your host.
Status documents for your visa: enrollment certificate for students, employment contract for workers.
Step by step
1.Book a visit on HiKorea
Reserve a slot at the immigration office for your address on hikorea.go.kr — walk-ins are generally not accepted. Popular Seoul offices fill up weeks ahead, so book early.
Say it in Korean
번호표 뽑으셨어요?beonhopyo ppobeusyeosseoyoDid you take a number ticket?
통합민원실은 몇 층에 있어요?tonghapminwonsireun myeot cheunge isseoyoWhat floor is the integrated civil affairs office on?
2.Prepare the documents for your visa type
Check the status-specific list on HiKorea. Students need the enrollment certificate; workers need the contract; everyone needs proof of where they live.
Say it in Korean
신청서 어디서 받아요?sincheongseo eodiseo badayoWhere do I get the application form?
어떤 서류가 필요해요?eotteon seoryuga piryohaeyoWhat documents do I need?
세대 분리 신고에는 어떤 서류가 필요해요?sedae bulli singoeneun eotteon seoryuga piryohaeyo?What documents are needed to report a household separation?
3.Visit, take a number, and submit
Bring the passport and photo, hand over the form, and give fingerprints and a photo at the counter. Answer the address and phone questions carefully — they go on the card.
Say it in Korean
여권하고 사진 가져왔어요.yeogwonhago sajin gajyeowasseoyoI brought my passport and photos.
여기 사인해 주세요.yeogi sainhae juseyoPlease sign here.
4.Pay the fee and keep the receipt
Pay 30,000 KRW and keep the receipt (접수증). Some banks and carriers accept it as temporary proof that your card is being issued.
Say it in Korean
수수료는 얼마예요?susuryoneun eolmayeyoHow much is the fee?
민원 접수를 취소하면 이미 낸 수수료는 환불되나요?minwon jeopsureul chwisohamyeon imi naen susuryoneun hwanbuldoenayo?If I cancel my application, will the fee I already paid be refunded?
5.Receive the card
Cards are usually ready in two to four weeks; you can collect it or pay for registered delivery. Check every detail on the card the day you get it.
Say it in Korean
언제 카드를 받을 수 있어요?eonje kadeureul badeul su isseoyoWhen can I receive the card?
신청한 서류 처리가 얼마나 걸리는지 궁금해요.sincheonghan seoryu cheoriga eolmana geollineunji gunggeumhaeyoI'm wondering how long the processing of my application takes.
처리 결과를 어디서 확인할 수 있어요?cheori gyeolgwareul eodiseo hwaginhal su isseoyoWhere can I check the processing result?
6.Keep it updated
Report an address change within 15 days, apply for reissue (재발급) if the card is lost, and extend your stay before the expiry date printed on the card.
Say it in Korean
주소가 바뀌었어요.jusoga bakkwieosseoyoMy address has changed.
외국인등록증을 잃어버려서 재발급 신청하러 왔어요.oegugindeungrokjeungeul ireobeoryeoseo jaebalgeup sincheonghareo wasseoyoI lost my Alien Registration Card, so I came to apply for a reissue.
Cost and deadlines
Registration fee
30,000 KRW
Deadline
Within 90 days of entering Korea
Address change
Free; within 15 days of moving
Watch out
Missing the 90-day deadline is a criminal offence under the Immigration Act, and a missed address report can cost a fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW.
The card is tied to your visa — if your school or employer changes, check whether you must report it.
The immigration contact center is 1345 and offers service in several languages.
Steps, fees and deadlines were checked against the sources below on 2026-09-12. Rules change — confirm with the office or company you visit. Sources: 하이코리아 — 외국인등록 · 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보 — 외국인등록 및 변경신고
Real questions from residents
Asked and answered by foreigners living in Korea on WeBring Connect.
Daily life in Korea runs on small, specific phrases. These 60 government expressions cover the situations residents face in practice, each with romanization and an English meaning (A2–B2). Examples include “신청서 어디서 받아요” and “여권하고 사진 가져왔어요”. These 60 phrases are graded A2 20 · B1 20 · B2 20 on the CEFR scale and run from 9 to 40 characters.
