The first piece of paperwork of your life in Korea
If you will stay in Korea for more than 90 days from the date of entry, 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 (Immigration Act, Article 31). Missing the deadline is a criminal offense, not a simple administrative fine: the law allows up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million KRW (Article 95), and in practice the immigration office usually issues a fine notice (Article 102) that depends on how late you are. Immigration offices in big cities are often booked weeks ahead, so make your HiKorea reservation early — do not wait until day 80 to look for a slot.
Field-by-field guide
- Name (성명): The form has separate boxes for Surname (성) and Given names (명). Copy them exactly as in your passport, in capital letters. You may fill in the form in Korean or English. 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 current form (revised 12 April 2022) has no box for you to write this — the officer fills it in the "For Official Use Only" section. You still need to know it (D-2, E-2, F-6, etc.) because the extra documents depend on it.
- 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 passport-size photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm (face 2.5–3.5 cm long), plain or white background, taken within 6 months, no sunglasses or hat
- Proof of residence (lease agreement, dormitory confirmation, etc.)
- Status-specific documents listed for your visa type in Annex 5-2 of the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act (e.g., for E-7 workers, the employer's business registration certificate — check your status on HiKorea); school certificate if you are an elementary, middle or high school student
- Fee: 35,000 KRW for issuing the card (Enforcement Rule, Article 72)
Processing time differs by office and season — ask at the counter when you apply.
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 15 days of moving in (at the community service center, the city/county/district office, or the immigration office; Article 36) — failing to do so can lead to a fine of up to 1 million KRW. If you are 17 or older, always carry your passport or ARC (a mobile ARC also counts; Article 27). If your name, nationality or passport details change, report it within 15 days (Article 35). For questions about your specific case, call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345. 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.