The first piece of paperwork of your life in Korea
If you will stay in Korea longer than 90 days, you must register as a foreign resident and get an Alien Registration Card (ARC) — the ID card you will use for everything: opening a bank account, getting a phone plan, health insurance, even food delivery apps. The registration application uses the bilingual Integrated Application Form, so every field is labeled in English.
You can fill the form out with field-by-field English tooltips on our Alien Registration Application page and download the PDF.
The one deadline that matters: 90 days
You must apply within 90 days of entering Korea. Missing the deadline means a fine that grows with the delay. Immigration offices in big cities are fully booked weeks ahead, so make your HiKorea reservation early — the reservation date (not your walk-in date) is what counts, and waiting until day 80 to look for a slot is how people end up paying fines.
Field-by-field guide
- Name in English (성명): Exactly as in your passport, surname first, capital letters. This spelling becomes your official identity in Korea — every later document must match it.
- Gender / Date of birth / Nationality: As in your passport.
- Passport number / Issue date / Expiry date: Copy carefully from the photo page. If your passport expires soon, renew it first — the ARC cannot outlive your passport validity.
- Status of stay (체류자격): The visa type you entered with (D-2, E-2, F-6, etc.), shown on your visa sticker or entry confirmation.
- Address in Korea: Where you actually live. You will need proof of residence (lease contract, dormitory certificate, or a confirmation letter from the person hosting you). A goshiwon or dorm is fine — it just needs paperwork.
Required documents
- Application form (Integrated Application Form)
- Passport
- One standard photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background, taken within 6 months
- Proof of residence (lease agreement, dormitory confirmation, etc.)
- Status-specific documents (e.g., certificate of enrollment for students, employment certificate for workers — check your visa type on HiKorea)
- Fee: 30,000 KRW for the card
Processing takes a few weeks; you can choose delivery by registered mail (small extra fee) instead of picking the card up.
Common mistakes
- Photo rejected: old photos, glasses glare, or non-white backgrounds are the top reason people are sent to the photo booth in the lobby (bring a compliant photo and save 10,000 won and 20 minutes)
- Address without proof: writing a friend's address you cannot document
- Name mismatch: using a nickname or a different name order than the passport
- Missing the 90-day window because no reservation slots were left
After you get your ARC
Report any change of address within 14 days (at the local community service center or on HiKorea), and carry the card — it replaces your passport for most daily identification. When your visa needs extending later, see the visa extension guide.
Ready to prepare your application? Fill out the Alien Registration form with English guidance and bring the PDF to your reserved visit.