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  • Ansan Multilingual Helpline: 14 Languages and Sunday Hours

    Ansan Multilingual Helpline: 14 Languages and Sunday Hours

    Which helpline to call depends on the day, on the problem, and on where you are. For immigration paperwork on a weekday, call 1345. For unpaid wages, a workplace injury or a hospital visit in Ansan, call 1644-7111, the Ansan Migrant’s Counseling Support Center (안산시외국인주민상담지원센터). At the weekend or late at night, call 1577-1366, which runs every day of the year.

    Three different bodies run these lines and their opening hours barely overlap, which is why the day of the week decides as much as the question does. All three are free, and all three work through an interpreter. This guide sets the three side by side, then covers the Ansan line in detail.

    What this guide covers
    01 Which number to call
    02 Which language, and which button to press
    03 When you can call
    04 What you can ask about
    05 How to reach the center
    06 If you are not in Ansan
    07 What your employer can request
    08 Frequently asked questions

    Which number to call

    Verified September 2026 · 1345 operates under the Framework Act on Treatment of Foreigners Residing in the Republic of Korea, Article 20

    Three bodies run three free lines, and each answers a different kind of question. The Ministry of Justice runs 1345 for immigration matters. Ansan City runs 1644-7111 through a welfare corporation called Gangmul (사단법인 강물). The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family runs 1577-1366, the Danuri Call Center (다누리콜센터), through the Korean Institute for Healthy Family.

    Three free helplines, side by side
    All three are free · all three provide interpreters
    Ansan, 1644-7111National, 1345National, 1577-1366
    Run byAnsan CityMinistry of JusticeMinistry of Gender Equality and Family
    Languages142015
    DaysMonday to Thursday, and SundayWeekdays onlyEvery day, holidays included
    Hours09:00 to 18:00, and Sunday 10:00 to 19:0009:00 to 22:0024 hours
    EveningClosed after 18:00After 18:00, Korean, English and Chinese onlyOpen. Outside Seoul, calls after 18:00 route to the main line
    Best forWages, workplace injury, contracts, legal and medical helpVisas, residence permits, office locationsMigrant women and multicultural families. Interpreting, family counseling, urgent help
    From abroad—+82-2-1345—

    Read the evening row carefully. The immigration line stays open until 22:00, but after 18:00 it drops to three languages. If your language is Vietnamese, Uzbek, Nepali or Thai, a call to 1345 after work will not reach an interpreter in your language. The Danuri line keeps all 15 of its languages around the clock.

    Which language, and which button to press

    The Ansan line asks you to choose a language yourself. Dial 1644-7111, wait, then press the number for your language. Several languages share one number, and the operator sorts it out once you are connected.

    What to press after 1644-7111
    Ansan City Migrant’s Counseling Support Center · 14 languages
    Language Press
    Korean1
    Chinese2
    Vietnamese3
    Mongolian4
    Indonesian, Malay5
    Russian, Uzbek6
    Thai8
    Filipino, English9
    Sri Lankan01
    Cambodian02
    Nepali03

    English shares number 9 with Filipino. There is no separate English button.

    The national line works differently. Dial 1345, listen to the recorded menu, press the number for your language, then press the star key. The Ministry of Justice lists the recorded menu as follows.

    The 1345 recorded menu
    1 Immigration office locations, their jurisdictions, and opening hours.
    2 Result of a certificate of visa issuance application.
    3 Reporting that a foreign worker has left a job, and fax reports of a change of workplace for visiting-employment compatriots.
    4 Questions about the Village Lawyer service.
    0 Speak to an agent.

    When you can call

    Opening hours verified September 2026 · Ansan City and Ministry of Justice pages

    The Ansan schedule is built around factory shifts rather than office hours. Friday and Saturday are closed, and Sunday is a full day that runs an hour later than the rest.

    Opening hours
    Ansan 1644-7111 · immigration 1345 · Danuri 1577-1366
    DayAnsan 1644-7111Immigration 1345Danuri 1577-1366
    Monday to Thursday09:00 to 18:0009:00 to 22:0024 hours
    FridayClosed09:00 to 22:0024 hours
    SaturdayClosedClosed24 hours
    Sunday10:00 to 19:00Closed24 hours
    Public holidays——24 hours

    Sunday is the point of the Ansan arrangement. It is the one day when a person on a six-day shift can reach a city service in their own language and speak to someone who can take the case further. On a public holiday, 1577-1366 is the line that stays open.

    What you can ask about

    Ansan City lists eleven subjects the center handles. They fall into two groups: work, and everything else.

    Work
    ✓ Wages and severance pay (임금, 퇴직금)
    ✓ Employment terms and contracts (근로관계)
    ✓ Disputes at the workplace (사업장갈등)
    ✓ Workplace injury (산업재해)
    ✓ Pension and insurance (연금보험)
    Everything else
    ✓ Legal support (법률지원)
    ✓ Residence matters (체류지원)
    ✓ Medical support (의료지원)
    ✓ Multicultural family matters (다문화가정)
    ✓ Interpretation and translation (통번역지원)
    ✓ General information about living in Korea (생활정보)

    Residence matters appear on both lists, and that is where the two helplines meet. The Ansan center can explain a residence question and interpret for you. It is not an immigration office, so an application still goes to the immigration office that covers Ansan.

    How to reach the center

    There are four ways in, and three of them do not require travel.

    · Phone. 1644-7111, then your language number.
    · Video call. Listed by the city as one of the counseling methods.
    · Video guides. The center publishes legal and labor explainers on YouTube.
    · In person. Ground floor, Ansan Foreign Resident’s Support Headquarters, Bubu-ro 43, Danwon-gu (단원구 부부로 43). Fax 031-362-6132.

    Getting there is short. Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Ansan Station, leave by exit 1, cross under the road, and walk about 400 meters along Bubu-ro. The building sits beside the public car park. The same building holds the health clinic that treats foreign residents free of charge, and the classrooms used for government Korean courses.

    Ansan guides
    Korean Classes in Ansan: 14 KIIP Centers, Cost, and Levels
    Government Korean classes at 14 centers across the city, with addresses, cost, and how the stages work.
    Ansan Multilingual Helpline: 14 Languages and Sunday Hours
    Fourteen languages on one city number, and which national line to use outside its listed hours.

    If you are not in Ansan

    Two national services cover the whole country, and one of them never closes.

    The Danuri Call Center (다누리콜센터) on 1577-1366 runs 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, weekends and public holidays included. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family runs it through the Korean Institute for Healthy Family. Its counselors are specialists in support for migrant women and multicultural families, and they work in 15 languages.

    What 1577-1366 covers
    ✓ Living information, and guidance on residence, nationality, labor and finding work.
    ✓ Three-way interpreting when you are at a police station, an emergency room, a hospital, a community service center, a school or a bank.
    ✓ Family and couple counseling, with interpretation.
    ✓ Lawyer consultations through the Korean Bar Association, Tuesdays 14:00 to 16:00, by appointment.
    ✓ Emergency support and shelter for women affected by violence, with children.

    The 15 languages are Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Khmer, Mongolian, Russian, Japanese, Thai, Lao, Uzbek, Nepali, Arabic and Indonesian. Outside Seoul, calls placed after 18:00 route to the main line rather than to a regional office. You can also ask a question through the one-to-one counseling room on the Danuri portal, and counselors take appointments to visit you or to see you at the center.

    For classes, childcare and family services rather than an urgent problem, the nearest family center is usually the better first call. The same portal lists 229 family centers (가족센터) across the country, searchable by province and district.

    What your employer can request

    Ansan City runs a second service that most people never hear about, because a person cannot apply for it. The on-site interpretation service (찾아가는 통역서비스) sends an interpreter to an organization, not to an individual.

    Your employer applies, not you
    Ansan City states that the service is for public bodies, organizations that work with foreign residents, and businesses that employ foreign workers. If you need an interpreter for a meeting at work, ask your employer to apply.

    The application form goes to the Foreign Resident Administration Division by email at homin0312@korea.kr, and the city takes applications all year. The contact number is 031-481-3737.

    The language list is not the same as the helpline’s. Both cover 14 languages, but the two lists differ at the edges, so check which service covers your language before you ask for it.

    Where the two language lists differ
    Both services list 14 languages, but not the same 14
    Language Helpline 1644-7111 On-site interpretation
    Japanese—Yes
    Kazakh—Yes
    MalayYes—
    The other 12YesYes

    If your language sits in only one column, that decides which service can help. The helpline covers Malay and the on-site service does not. The on-site service covers Japanese and Kazakh and the helpline does not. The other twelve overlap.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is 1345 in Korea?
    1345 is the Immigration Contact Center, a multilingual phone service run by the Ministry of Justice under Article 20 of the Framework Act on Treatment of Foreigners Residing in the Republic of Korea. It answers questions about visas, residence permits and immigration offices in 20 languages, and it also provides three-way interpretation for government bodies dealing with foreign residents. Dial 1345 with no area code, or +82-2-1345 from outside Korea.
    What are the hours of operation for the 1345 immigration Contact Center in Korea?
    Weekdays, 09:00 to 22:00. After 18:00 the service continues in Korean, English and Chinese only. It does not open at the weekend.
    Which helpline is open at the weekend?
    1577-1366, the Danuri Call Center, runs 365 days a year and 24 hours a day, public holidays included. In Ansan, 1644-7111 also opens on Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. The immigration line, 1345, is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
    Is the Ansan helpline free?
    Yes. Ansan City runs it as a public service, and the interpretation is part of it. You pay only what your own phone plan charges for the call.
    Does the Ansan helpline handle immigration paperwork?
    It can explain a residence question and interpret for you, and residence support is on its published list of subjects. It is not an immigration office, so applications still go to the immigration office that covers Ansan.

    Official sources

    Every figure in this guide comes from the pages below. Opening hours and phone menus change, so check the page that matters to you before you call.

    · Ansan City, Migrant’s Counseling Support Center · center page, Korean
    · Ansan City, on-site interpretation service 2026 notice · notice, Korean
    · Ministry of Justice, Immigration Contact Center (1345) · service page, Korean
    · Korean Institute for Healthy Family, Danuri Call Center (1577-1366) · service page, Korean · family center finder
    · Ansan City, Foreign Resident’s Support Headquarters · directions, Korean
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and opening hours change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you call, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • How to Book an Immigration Appointment in Korea on Hi Korea

    How to Book an Immigration Appointment in Korea on Hi Korea

    Since 1 April 2021, every immigration office in Korea has required a visit reservation. The Ministry of Justice notice puts it plainly: you must book through Hi Korea before you go. A small list of counter services is exempt, and a change of address is handled somewhere else entirely, but for registration, a replacement card, or an extension of stay, no booking means no application.

    You also cannot book for today. The earliest slot is tomorrow. That single fact is what turns a comfortable deadline into a missed one, so the booking is the step to do first, not last.

    What this guide covers
    01
    When you need a reservation and when you do not
    02
    What you need before you start
    03
    How to book, step by step
    04
    How to choose the date
    05
    What a reservation does not do
    06
    Frequently asked questions

    When you need a reservation and when you do not

    The rule is a reservation for everything, with a short list of counter services named as exceptions in the Ministry of Justice notice that introduced the system.

    Named as walk-in services
    ✓
    Picking up a finished Alien Registration Card
    ✓
    Issuance of certificates
    ✓
    Postponement of a departure deadline
    ✓
    Refugee applications, and voluntary reporting by people who have overstayed
    ✓
    Diplomatic and official status matters

    Everything else needs a booking. First registration, a replacement card, an extension of stay, a change of status, a change of workplace.

    One common errand never touches this system at all. A change of address can be filed online, or at the community service center or district office for your new address, and those counters take walk-ins like any other local government service.




    What you need before you start

    Hi Korea verifies who you are before it shows you any dates. You do not need an account, but you do need one of three sets of numbers.

    Three ways to verify yourself
    Pick the one that matches your situation
    Method What you enter Who uses it
    Registration number Your registration number and the date of issuance of your card, as 8 digits Anyone who already holds a card
    Passport number Your passport details People registering for the first time
    Visa issuance number The issuance number from your visa People who have a visa but have not entered on it yet
    Where the date of issuance is on an older card
    Hi Korea notes that older cards do not print a label for the date of issuance (발급일자). The date printed at the top of the card is the one to enter. Type it as eight digits with no dots or slashes, in the form 19701123.

    How to book, step by step

    The whole thing takes a few minutes once your numbers are in front of you.

    Booking on Hi Korea
    01
    Open Hi Korea and go to Reserve Visit under Petition Application.
    02
    Read the notice page and confirm that you have read it.
    03
    Choose Member or Non-member. Non-member works without an account.
    04
    Verify yourself with one of the three methods above, plus the image code on screen.
    05
    Fill in the application form and choose your office, date, and time.
    06
    Submit, and keep the confirmation.

    Hi Korea online services run on weekdays from 07:00 to 22:00 and are closed on weekends and public holidays, so the booking page itself is not available at 2 a.m.

    Book the office with jurisdiction over your address rather than the nearest one. Hi Korea has a search page where you enter your region and it returns the office name, address, and the districts it covers, and that page works in English.



    How to choose the date

    Two rules govern the date, and they push in opposite directions.

    Book before your deadline, not after it
    Hi Korea tells you to choose a date that falls before your expiry date or before your statutory reporting deadline. Visiting after that date can bring a penalty payment or an administrative fine even though you booked in good faith.
    If no slot is available inside your deadline, Hi Korea says to go to the immigration office with jurisdiction over you before the deadline passes rather than waiting for a slot.

    The other rule is the earliest date. A reservation has to be made at least one day ahead of the visit, so today is never available. Combine the two and the planning rule is simple: book as soon as the deadline starts running, not as it runs out.

    When to start looking for a slot
    ✓
    First registration: as soon as you arrive. The deadline is 90 days from entry.
    ✓
    Extension of stay: the window opens four months before your expiry date.
    ✓
    Replacement card: the same day you notice the card is gone.

    Use your own details when you book. Hi Korea warns that holding a slot with another person’s passport number or registration number can be punished by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million KRW under the Personal Information Protection Act and the Criminal Act, and that the Ministry of Justice checks the IP addresses behind reservations.



    What a reservation does not do

    Hi Korea is explicit about this, and it is the part that surprises people at the counter.

    A reservation is a date, not an application
    Booking a visit is an appointment to come in on that day. It is not a receipt of your petition. Your application is filed when you hand your documents over at the counter, and a missing document sends you home with the errand unfinished.

    So the booking buys you a slot and nothing else. Prepare the documents for whatever you are applying for before the day, and bring your passport whether or not the form asks for it.

    One more item worth knowing. If you have paid overdue national health insurance premiums within the last five days through a payment machine or Internet Giro, Hi Korea tells you to bring the receipt with you, because the payment may not yet show in the system.

    Related guide

    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents

    What you are booking for, and by when. Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I book an immigration appointment for the same day?
    No. A reservation has to be made at least one day before the visit, so the earliest date you can take is tomorrow.
    Do I need a Hi Korea account to book?
    No. The booking page offers a member route and a non-member route. The non-member route only asks you to verify yourself with your registration number, passport number, or visa issuance number.
    What if there is no slot before my deadline?
    Hi Korea says to go to the immigration office with jurisdiction over you before the deadline passes, rather than booking a later date and arriving after it. Arriving late can bring a penalty payment or an administrative fine.
    Can someone book on my behalf?
    The reservation has to be verified with your own numbers. Hi Korea warns that using another person’s passport number or registration number to hold a slot can be punished by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million KRW.

    Official sources

    Every figure in this guide comes from the pages below. Rules change, so open the booking page before you plan around a date.

    ·
    Hi Korea, visit reservation guide · English · Korean
    ·
    Hi Korea, identity verification for a visit reservation · booking page
    ·
    Korea Immigration Service, notice introducing the reservation system nationwide from 1 April 2021 · Korean
    ·
    Hi Korea, immigration office search · search page · e-Application · service list
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you book, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • Korean Classes in Ansan: 14 KIIP Centers, Cost, and Levels

    Korean Classes in Ansan: 14 KIIP Centers, Cost, and Levels

    Ansan has 14 centers approved by the Ministry of Justice to teach the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (사회통합프로그램), known as KIIP. The classes are the same at every center because the Ministry sets the curriculum. What changes is the address, the phone number, and how far you have to travel.

    You apply on one national website, not at the center itself. This guide lists the 14 centers by district, shows what each stage costs, and explains how a TOPIK score can move you past stages you would otherwise sit through and pay for.

    What this guide covers
    01 Where you apply and where you study
    02 Who can join and what to settle first
    03 Where to study in Ansan
    04 How the levels work
    05 How much it costs
    06 How a TOPIK level moves you up
    07 What you get when you finish
    08 Frequently asked questions

    Where you apply and where you study

    KIIP separates the paperwork from the classroom. You register, get a level, choose a center, and pay on Socinet (사회통합정보망, Sa-hoe-tong-hap-jeong-bo-mang), the Ministry of Justice portal for the program. You attend class at one of the 14 centers in Ansan. The Ministry states that Socinet is the only way to apply, so there is no paper form and no walk-in registration at a center.

    Socinet has no English version. Every screen is in Korean. The steps below give the Korean term next to the English one so you can match what is on the screen.

    The four steps on Socinet
    01 Create an account and apply to join the program.
    02 Get a level assigned (단계배정) by placement test or by a TOPIK score.
    03 Apply for a course (과정신청) at a center in your district.
    04 Pay the stage fee in My Page before you apply for the stage test.

    Socinet states that you must choose a center in the district where your address is registered. A center outside that district is possible, but only with permission from the head of your immigration office.

    Who can join and what to settle first

    Socinet describes the program as open to all immigrants and Korean nationals who wish to apply. The application page sets no visa-type condition.

    One thing stops the application before it starts. Socinet states that if your registered address has changed and you have not reported the change, your course application is rejected. You then have to report the change and apply again at a center in your new district. Settle the address report first.

    Related guide
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    Moving house starts a 15-day reporting deadline, and an unreported move will block your KIIP course application.

    Socinet also sets a time limit on the level you are given. You must start a course within two years, or the assignment is cancelled and you start the placement process again.

    Where to study in Ansan

    Center list verified September 2026 · Ministry of Justice, Socinet register of operating institutions

    Ansan is split into two districts, Danwon-gu (단원구) and Sangnok-gu (상록구). The table follows that split because you apply to a center in the district where you live. The lead center for the city is the Ansan Foreign Resident’s Support Headquarters, which runs the program locally and answers questions about it on 031-481-3734.

    KIIP centers in Ansan
    14 centers · Danwon-gu first, then Sangnok-gu
    Center Korean name Phone Address
    Ansan Foreign Resident’s Support Headquarters 안산시외국인주민지원본부 031-481-3734 Danwon-gu, Bubu-ro 43
    Ansan Yongsin School 안산용신학교 031-494-0675 Danwon-gu, Damunhwa-gil 16
    Ansan Migrant Workers’ House 안산외국인노동자의집 031-495-2288 Danwon-gu, Hwarang-ro 65
    Hope 365 사단법인 희망365 070-7701-3636 Danwon-gu, Sincheon-ro 2-gil 9-9
    Ansan Goryeoin Culture Center 안산시고려인문화센터 031-493-7056 Danwon-gu, Jigok-ro 6-gil 37
    Singil Saetbyeol Small Library 신길샛별작은도서관 031-492-2707 Danwon-gu, Saeppul-gil 55
    Ansan Multicultural Family Support Center 안산시다문화가족지원센터 031-599-1728 Danwon-gu, Hwajeong-ro 26
    Ansan Global Youth Center 안산시글로벌청소년센터 031-599-1771 Danwon-gu, Hwajeong-ro 26
    Shin Ansan University 신안산대학교 031-490-6192 Danwon-gu, Sinansandaehak-ro 135
    Korea Hotel and Tourism Education Foundation 한국호텔관광교육재단 031-483-9627 Danwon-gu, Jungang-daero 937
    Ansan University 안산대학교 031-363-7743 Sangnok-gu, Ansandaehak-ro 155
    Seoul Culture and Arts University, Korean Language Center 서울문화예술대학교 국제언어교육원 한국어교육센터 031-400-8550 Sangnok-gu, Yangjipyeon 1-gil 26
    Korea Immigrant Support Center, Ansan Global Center 한국이민자지원센터 안산글로벌센터 031-501-7909 Sangnok-gu, Cheonmun 3-gil 8
    Ansan Lifelong Learning Center 안산시평생학습관 031-409-1877 Sangnok-gu, Chadolbaegi-ro 24-1

    The Korean names in the middle column are the ones Socinet uses in its course list, so use them when you search. They also work in Naver Map and Kakao Map. Two centers share one building on Hwajeong-ro 26.

    Ansan guides
    Korean Classes in Ansan: 14 KIIP Centers, Cost, and Levels
    Government Korean classes at 14 centers across the city, with addresses, cost, and how the stages work.
    Ansan Multilingual Helpline: 14 Languages and Sunday Hours
    Fourteen languages on one city number, and which national line to use outside its listed hours.

    Not every center opens every stage in every term. The course list on Socinet shows which stages are open near you when you apply.

    How the levels work

    KIIP runs in stages. Stages 0 to 4 teach Korean language and culture. Stage 5 teaches Korean society and splits into a basic course and an advanced course. Each stage ends in a test, and the test decides whether you move up.

    Stages and tests
    Stage tests are run by your center · the rest are run by the Ministry of Justice
    Stage Course Hours Test at the end
    Stage 0 Basic 15 None
    Stage 1 Beginner 1 100 Stage test
    Stage 2 Beginner 2 100 Stage test
    Stage 3 Intermediate 1 100 Stage test
    Stage 4 Intermediate 2 100 Mid-term test (중간평가)
    Stage 5 basic Korean society 70 Permanent residence test
    Stage 5 advanced Korean society 30 Naturalization test

    The pass mark is 60 out of 100 for every test. Stage tests are set by your center, and Socinet states that failing one is not final: repeat the same stage and you move up. The Ministry tests are stricter. If you fail the mid-term test, you either pass it on a retake or repeat stage 4 and score above 40 on the next attempt.

    Results are not sent to you. Socinet states that scores and pass or fail appear only in My Page, with no individual notice and no public list.

    How much it costs

    Fees verified September 2026 · Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Article 48(5) and Ministry of Justice Notice 2024-434

    The Ministry of Justice sets the fee, so it is the same at all 14 centers. Fees started on 1 January 2025. You pay in My Page on Socinet by card or bank transfer.

    What each stage costs
    Set by Ministry of Justice Notice 2024-434 · in force since 1 January 2025
    Stage Hours Fee
    Stage 0 15 Free
    Stage 1 100 100,000 KRW
    Stage 2 100 100,000 KRW
    Stage 3 100 100,000 KRW
    Stage 4 100 100,000 KRW
    Stage 5 basic 70 70,000 KRW
    Stage 5 advanced 30 30,000 KRW
    Stage 0 to stage 5 415 500,000 KRW
    Pay before the test application closes
    The Ministry of Justice states that a student who has not paid by the end of the test application period cannot sit the test. Attending every class does not move you to the next stage on its own.

    Two reductions exist. A 50 percent reduction applies to students with full attendance for the stage and to students their teacher recommends for their effort. A separate exemption list is published in the Ministry notice and in the Socinet announcements. Stage 0 is free for everyone.

    How a TOPIK level moves you up

    If you already hold a Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) grade, you do not sit the placement test. The Ministry places you at a stage that matches your grade, and the stages below it count as completed. That is the single largest saving in the program.

    What a TOPIK grade is worth
    Socinet linked-assessment table · hours and fees calculated from the stage table above
    TOPIK grade You start at Hours you skip Fees you skip
    Grade 1 Stage 2 100 100,000 KRW
    Grade 2 Stage 3 200 200,000 KRW
    Grade 3 Stage 4 300 300,000 KRW
    Grades 4 to 6 Stage 5 400 400,000 KRW

    To use a grade, apply through Socinet and submit the linked-assessment application form (사회통합프로그램 연계평가 신청서) with your TOPIK certificate to your immigration office or to a center.

    The placement test itself is skipped in four situations, not only by TOPIK holders.

    Who does not sit the placement test
    ✓ Anyone who wants to start at stage 0.
    ✓ Holders of a valid TOPIK grade.
    ✓ Anyone who passed the mid-term test through a linked intermediate course.
    ✓ Marriage immigrants who proved Korean ability before their F-6 visa was issued. They are placed at stage 2.

    One more route exists for people in a hurry. Socinet states that a placement test score of 85 or above lets you apply for the permanent residence test within two years without taking any classes. Passing it proves the language requirement for permanent residence, but it does not count as completing KIIP.

    What you get when you finish

    The benefits depend on how far you go. Finishing the stage 5 basic course covers permanent residence. Finishing the advanced course covers naturalization as well.

    · Naturalization. The naturalization test replaces the written exam, and passing it after the full stage 5 course also removes the naturalization interview. Screening time is shortened.
    · Permanent residence. You do not have to prove Korean ability separately, and the field survey is waived.
    · Other residence permits. Points are added, and the Korean ability requirement is waived.
    · Visa applications. The Korean ability requirement is waived.

    The naturalization route has a hard limit. Socinet states that an applicant who fails the naturalization test three times within one year of applying for naturalization is refused.

    Frequently asked questions

    Are KIIP classes free?
    Only stage 0 is free. Stages 1 to 4 cost 100,000 KRW each, stage 5 basic costs 70,000 KRW, and stage 5 advanced costs 30,000 KRW. Students with full attendance for a stage, or a teacher’s recommendation, pay half.
    How many levels are in KIIP?
    Six. Stages 0 to 4 cover Korean language and culture. Stage 5 covers Korean society and splits into a basic course and an advanced course. The full program runs 415 hours.
    Is KIIP easier than TOPIK?
    The Ministry of Justice does not compare the two, and they measure different things. TOPIK grades your Korean. KIIP is a course with tests attached, and its later tests also cover Korean society. The link runs one way: a TOPIK grade places you into a KIIP stage, but finishing KIIP does not give you a TOPIK grade.
    Can I apply at the center instead of online?
    No. Socinet states that applications are accepted online only. The centers teach the classes but do not take applications.
    What happens if I miss a test?
    Missing a test you applied for counts as a fail, whatever the reason. You can cancel instead, but only by asking your immigration office before the application period for that test closes.

    Official sources

    Every figure in this guide comes from the pages below. The program changes, so open the page that matters to your case before you apply.

    · Ministry of Justice, Socinet · courses and hours · how to apply
    · Ministry of Justice, Socinet · tests · linked courses and TOPIK · benefits
    · Ministry of Justice, Socinet · register of operating institutions · notice on education fees
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Article 48
    · Ansan Foreign Resident’s Support Headquarters · KIIP page, Korean
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents

    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents

    Every duty a registered foreign resident has in Korea comes with a number attached. Ninety days to register after you arrive. Fifteen days to report a move. Fifteen days to report a change to your details. A four-month window to extend your stay. Your card on you at all times.

    Missing one is not always the same size of problem. Some carry an administrative fine, some a criminal fine, and one can end in deportation. This page puts every deadline, fee, and penalty in one place, and points you to the guide for whichever one you are facing.

    What this page covers
    01 Every deadline in one table
    02 What each deadline is counted from
    03 Which guide you need
    04 What each application costs
    05 What happens if you miss one
    06 Frequently asked questions

    Every deadline in one table

    These come from the Immigration Act (출입국관리법) itself, not from a guidance page. The article number is in the last column so you can check any line against the law.

    Deadlines for registered foreign residents
    Immigration Act · calendar days, weekends and holidays included
    What you must do Deadline Article
    Register as a foreign resident 90 days from entry 31(1)
    Apply for a card after turning 17, if you were not issued one as a child 90 days from your 17th birthday 33(2)
    Report a change of address 15 days from moving in 36(1)
    Report a change to your name, passport, school, or workplace 15 days from the change 35
    Apply to extend your stay Window opens 4 months before your expiry date and closes on that date 25
    Carry your card or passport At all times, from age 17 27
    Return the card after becoming a Korean national 30 days from completing resident registration 37(2)

    Permanent residents have one more. A Permanent Residence Card (영주증) is valid for ten years, and Article 33 requires you to have it re-issued before that validity ends.

    What each deadline is counted from

    Two deadlines are both fifteen days, and they start on different events. That is where most days get lost.

    The starting point, one by one
    ✓ Registration: the day you entered Korea, not the date printed on your visa.
    ✓ Change of address: the day you move in, not the day you signed the lease.
    ✓ Change of details: the day the change happens, such as the issue date on a new passport.
    ✓ Extension: counted backward from the expiry date on your card.
    ✓ All of these are calendar days. Weekends and public holidays count.

    If you change status of stay rather than entering on one, Article 31 starts your registration duty at the moment the new status is granted rather than at entry.

    Which guide you need

    Find your situation and follow the link. Each guide covers one situation from start to finish.

    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Three of those four need you to sit in front of an officer, and an immigration office has required a booking since 2021. How to book an immigration appointment on Hi Korea covers the booking itself, including why the earliest slot you can take is tomorrow.

    What each application costs

    These figures are set by the Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, so they are the same at every office and do not change from one region to another.

    Fees
    Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Article 72
    Application Fee
    Alien Registration Card, first issue or replacement 35,000 KRW
    Permanent Residence Card, re-issue 35,000 KRW
    Extension of stay 60,000 KRW · 30,000 KRW for Marriage Immigrant (F-6)
    Change of status of stay 100,000 KRW · 200,000 KRW for Permanent Residence (F-5)
    Change or addition of workplace 120,000 KRW
    Report a change of address No fee

    The card fee rose from 30,000 KRW to 35,000 KRW on 1 January 2025, when the card began carrying an IC chip. If a page you are reading still shows the older figure, bring the higher amount.

    What happens if you miss one

    The word for the penalty matters. An administrative fine (과태료) is a civil charge. A criminal fine (벌금) is a court penalty and goes on record.

    What you missed Penalty Article
    Registering at all Up to 1 year in prison or a fine up to 10,000,000 KRW, and grounds for deportation 95(7) · 46(1)12
    Staying past your permitted period Up to 3 years in prison or a fine up to 30,000,000 KRW 94(7)
    Reporting a change of address Criminal fine up to 1,000,000 KRW 98(2)
    Carrying your card or passport Criminal fine up to 1,000,000 KRW 98(1)
    Reporting a change to your details, or returning the card Administrative fine up to 1,000,000 KRW 100(2)1
    Applying for a card after turning 17 Administrative fine up to 500,000 KRW 100(3)1

    If a date has already passed, go to your immigration office and report it. Every one of these gets worse with time, and none of them improves by being left alone.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I need to return my ARC when I leave Korea?
    On a final departure, yes. Article 37 requires you to hand the card to an immigration officer when you leave. Three exceptions cover ordinary trips: a re-entry permit used within its period, a multiple-entry visa or a re-entry-permit-exempt nationality returning within your permitted period, and a refugee travel document used within its validity. Most residents taking a holiday fall under the second one and keep their card.
    Is the deadline to report a move 14 days or 15 days?
    Article 36, paragraph 1 says 15 days from the day you move in. A number of English pages print 14 days. Report within 14 days and you will always be inside the legal limit.
    Which of these can I do online?
    A change of address, a passport change, an employment information change, and an extension of stay can be filed through Hi Korea e-Application. Registering for the first time cannot, and neither can a replacement card. Hi Korea online services run on weekdays from 07:00 to 22:00.
    Do these rules apply to children?
    The duty to carry identification starts at 17. A child under 17 may be registered without being issued a card, and Article 33 then gives 90 days from the 17th birthday to apply for one.

    Official sources

    Every figure on this page comes from the law itself rather than from a guidance page. Open the article if you want to check a line.

    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Immigration Act · Art. 31 · Art. 33 · Art. 35 · Art. 36 · Art. 37
    · Penalties · Art. 94 · Art. 95 · Art. 98 · Art. 100
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents

    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents

    Many people treat the expiry date on their card as the day to start. It is the last day you can apply, not the first. The window opens four months earlier, and the whole of that window is yours to use.

    Applying late is not a paperwork problem you can fix at the counter. Applying after your expiry date brings a penalty payment, and staying past that date without permission is a criminal offense. Here is the window, the fee, where you have to be when you apply, and what happens if the date passes.

    What this guide covers
    01 When you can apply
    02 Where you must be when you apply
    03 How to apply
    04 What documents you need
    05 How much it costs
    06 What happens if you miss your expiry date

    When you can apply

    Hi Korea (하이코리아, Hai Korea) states the window plainly: you apply from four months before your current period of stay expires, up to and including the expiry date itself.

    Your window
    ✓ Opens four months before the expiry date on your card
    ✓ Closes at the end of the expiry date
    ✓ A visit reservation cannot be made for the same day, so the counter route needs lead time

    Four months is a long runway, and there is a reason to use the early part of it. If a document is missing or your employer is slow with a certificate, you still have weeks rather than days. Check the expiry date on your card now and put the date four months before it in your calendar.

    Where you must be when you apply

    This condition is in the Korean-language page and not in the English one, and it catches people who plan a trip home around their renewal.

    You must be inside Korea on the day you apply
    Hi Korea states that an application is possible only when the applicant is staying in Korea on the day of application, and that applying from abroad, including through an agent, is not possible. Leaving the country and having someone file for you does not work.
    An agent can file for you while you are in Korea, but some statuses do not allow an agent at all. Marriage Immigrant (F-6) is named as one of them, so check your status before you send someone else.

    Plan travel around this. If your stay expires while you are out of the country, you cannot fix it from there.

    How to apply

    There are two routes, and for a registered foreign resident the online route is usually the faster one.

    Two routes
    01 Online. Hi Korea e-Application lists Extension of stay for registered foreigners among the services you can file there. Online services run on weekdays from 07:00 to 22:00, and are closed on weekends and public holidays.
    02 In person. The immigration office with jurisdiction over your address. Book a visit reservation first. Offices have required one since 1 April 2021, and a reservation cannot be made for the same day.

    When the extension is approved, a registered foreign resident does not get a passport sticker. Article 31 of the Enforcement Decree says the new period is written on your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) instead.

    What documents you need

    The base of every application is the same. What sits on top of it depends entirely on your status of stay.

    Everyone brings
    ✓ The extension application form · 체류기간 연장허가 신청서
    ✓ Your passport · 여권
    ✓ Your Alien Registration Card · 외국인등록증
    ✓ The fee · 수수료

    On top of that, each status has its own attachment list. A student on Overseas Study (D-2) is asked for different paper than a teacher on Foreign Language Instruction (E-2). Hi Korea publishes the list as a table by status, and the table is the only place those lists live, so open yours before you start rather than guessing from a general guide.

    One thing worth checking first: the address on your card. Immigration looks at your registered place of stay when it reviews an extension, and an address that no longer matches where you live is a problem you want solved before the application, not during it.

    How much it costs

    The fee is set by the Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, not by the office, so it is the same everywhere.

    Extension fee
    Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Article 72, subparagraph 6
    Who you are Fee
    Most statuses of stay 60,000 KRW
    Marriage Immigrant (F-6) 30,000 KRW

    For comparison, a change of status of stay is 100,000 KRW and a change or addition of workplace is 120,000 KRW, both from the same list. If someone tells you an extension should cost one of those figures, they are quoting a different application.

    What happens if you miss your expiry date

    Two separate consequences follow, and they are often confused with each other.

    A late application and an overstay are not the same thing
    Hi Korea states that applying for an extension after the expiry date results in a penalty payment under Article 25 of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법).
    Staying beyond your permitted period is a separate matter. Article 94, subparagraph 7 makes staying outside the scope of your status or period punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.
    If your date has already passed, go to your immigration office and report it rather than waiting. The gap only grows.

    A missed extension also follows you. Your record of stay is what immigration looks at the next time you apply for anything, including a change of status or permanent residence later on.

    What to say at the counter

    Five sentences for the immigration office counter. Show the screen if it is easier than speaking.

    체류기간 연장 신청하러 왔습니다.
    Che-ryu-gi-gan yeon-jang sin-cheong-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
    “I am here to apply for an extension of stay.”
    Say this first at the counter.
    예약 확인 부탁드립니다.
    Ye-yak hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
    “Please check my reservation.”
    If you booked a visit on Hi Korea.
    서류가 다 맞는지 봐주시겠어요?
    Seo-ryu-ga da man-neun-ji bwa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
    “Could you check whether my documents are complete?”
    Before you hand everything over.
    수수료는 얼마인가요?
    Su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
    “How much is the fee?”
    The fee is paid at the counter.
    얼마나 연장되나요?
    Eol-ma-na yeon-jang-doe-na-yo?
    “How long an extension will I get?”
    The answer depends on your status.
    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Frequently asked questions

    When should I apply for an extension of stay?
    Any time from four months before your expiry date up to the expiry date itself. Apply early in that window so a missing document does not push you past the date.
    Can I apply for an extension from outside Korea?
    No. Hi Korea states that you must be staying in Korea on the day you apply, and that applications from abroad, including through an agent, are not possible.
    Can someone else apply for me?
    An agent can file while you are in Korea, but not every status allows one. Hi Korea names Marriage Immigrant (F-6) as a status where an agent is not possible, and tells you to check your own status first.
    How much does a visa extension cost in Korea?
    60,000 KRW for most statuses, and 30,000 KRW for Marriage Immigrant (F-6). The figure comes from Article 72 of the Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, so it does not change from office to office.

    Official sources

    Every figure in this guide comes from the pages below. Rules change, so open the page that matters to your case before you apply.

    · Hi Korea, Extension of Stay · English · Korean
    · Hi Korea, e-Application · service list · visit reservation guide · English
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Immigration Act Article 25 · Article 94
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Enforcement Decree Article 31 · Enforcement Rules Article 72
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea

    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea

    Report the loss online first, then apply for a new card in person. The online report takes a few minutes and exists to stop someone else from using your card. The replacement card costs 35,000 KRW and is issued by the immigration office for your address.

    These are two separate actions, and the first one does not do the second. Reporting the loss does not cancel your old card, and it does not start your new one. Here is what each step does, what you need to bring, and what the law expects of you while you are without a card.

    What this guide covers
    01 What to do first when your card is missing
    02 What the online loss report does and does not do
    03 How soon you must apply for a new card
    04 What documents you need
    05 Where to apply and what it costs
    06 Frequently asked questions

    What to do first when your card is missing

    Hi Korea (하이코리아, Hai Korea) runs a loss report service you can use without logging in. You enter your registration number and verify yourself by mobile phone. The service is called Report loss of residence card (외국인등록증 분실신고) and it is listed under Other Services, not under e-Application.

    Filing the loss report
    01 Open the Report loss of residence card page on Hi Korea.
    02 Enter your registration number.
    03 Verify yourself with mobile authentication.
    04 Choose Report loss, then submit.

    If you cannot use Hi Korea, the page tells you to file the report by visiting the immigration office for your jurisdiction instead. Either way, do this part before you start collecting documents for the new card.

    What the online loss report does and does not do

    This is the point most guides skip, and it changes what you should expect at the counter.

    The report does not suspend your card
    Hi Korea states that the purpose of the service is to prevent wrongful use of the lost card, and that the act of reporting does not suspend or recover the validity of the card. Filing the report is a protection, not a cancellation, and it is not an application for a replacement.
    You can cancel a loss report within 24 hours of filing it. After that window, the cancel option is gone.

    So if your card turns up in a coat pocket the same evening, cancel the report and keep using the card. If it turns up later, go to your immigration office and ask what to do before you use the card again.

    How soon you must apply for a new card

    Apply as soon as you can. The pressure does not come from a paperwork date. It comes from the duty to carry the card.

    Article 27 of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법) requires every foreign resident in Korea to carry a passport, an Alien Registration Card, or a mobile Residence Card at all times, and to show it when an immigration officer or another authorized official asks. Residents under 17 are exempt. Article 98, subparagraph 1 makes a breach of that duty punishable by a criminal fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW.

    One case does have a fixed deadline. If you are replacing the card because your name, sex, date of birth, or nationality changed, that is a change report under Article 35, and it is due within 15 days of the change.

    What documents you need

    The list below is from Hi Korea. Two items depend on your situation, so read the third column before you leave home.

    Documents for re-issuance
    외국인등록증 재발급 · bring the Korean name to the counter
    Item Korean name When you need it
    Passport 여권 Always
    Re-issuance application form 외국인등록증 재발급 신청서 Always
    Document stating the reason 신청사유를 소명하는 자료 Only when the card is lost
    One color photo, 3.5cm x 4.5cm 컳러사진 1매 Only if your last photo is over 6 months old
    Your old card 구 외국인등록증 Damaged, out of space, or details changed. Not when lost
    Fee 수수료 35,000 KRW

    The photo rule catches people out. If the photo on your current card is still under six months old, the office reuses it and you do not need a new one. If you are not sure when it was taken, bring a photo anyway.

    Where to apply and what it costs

    Re-issuance is handled at the immigration office with jurisdiction over your address, the same office that issued your first card. Hi Korea has a search page where you enter your region and it returns the office name, address, and the districts it covers. That page works in English.

    The fee is 35,000 KRW. The same fee applies whether the card was lost, damaged, or out of space. It rose from 30,000 KRW on 1 January 2025, when the card began carrying an IC chip, so bring 35,000 KRW.

    Before you go
    ✓ Book a visit reservation. Immigration offices have required one since 1 April 2021.
    ✓ Book at least one day ahead. A reservation cannot be made for the same day you visit.
    ✓ Book with your own details. Hi Korea warns that using another person’s registration or passport number to hold a slot is a criminal offense.
    ✓ Hi Korea online services run on weekdays from 07:00 to 22:00, and are closed on weekends and public holidays.

    Bring your passport with you on the day. Until the new card is in your hand, your passport is what satisfies the duty to carry identification under Article 27.

    What to say at the counter

    Five sentences for the immigration office counter. Show the screen if it is easier than speaking.

    외국인등록증을 잃어버렸습니다.
    Oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jeung-eul i-reo-beo-ryeot-seum-ni-da.
    “I have lost my Alien Registration Card.”
    Say this first at the counter.
    재발급 신청하러 왔습니다.
    Jae-bal-geup sin-cheong-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
    “I am here to apply for a replacement.”
    Follows the sentence above.
    분실 신고는 인터넷으로 했습니다.
    Bun-sil sin-go-neun in-teo-ne-seu-ro haet-seum-ni-da.
    “I already filed the loss report online.”
    If you reported the loss on Hi Korea.
    수수료는 얼마인가요?
    Su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
    “How much is the fee?”
    The fee is paid at the counter.
    새 카드는 언제 나오나요?
    Sae ka-deu-neun eon-je na-o-na-yo?
    “When will the new card be ready?”
    Ask before you leave.
    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Frequently asked questions

    What do I do if I lost my ARC in Korea?
    File the loss report on Hi Korea, then book a visit to the immigration office for your address and apply for a new card. Bring your passport, the application form, a document stating the reason, and 35,000 KRW.
    Do I need a police report to replace a lost card?
    Hi Korea’s list of required documents asks for a document stating the reason for the application. A police report is not on that list. Offices can ask for different things, so confirm with yours when you book.
    Is there a 14-day deadline to replace a lost card?
    Article 42 of the Enforcement Decree, which governs re-issuance, sets no separate deadline for a lost card. Some official English pages print 14 days. The 15-day deadline in the Act applies to a change of name, sex, date of birth, or nationality. Either way, the duty to carry identification is the reason to apply at once.
    What if I find my card after reporting it lost?
    Hi Korea lets you cancel a loss report within 24 hours of filing it. Outside that window, ask your immigration office before you use the card again.

    Official sources

    Every figure in this guide comes from the pages below. Rules change, so open the page that matters to your case before you go.

    · Hi Korea, Residence Card Issuance and Re-issuance · English · Korean
    · Hi Korea, Report loss of residence card · service page
    · Hi Korea, Residence Card Return, Carry, and Present · English
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation · Immigration Act Article 27 · Article 98 · Enforcement Decree Article 42
    · Hi Korea, immigration office search · search page · visit reservation guide · English
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea

    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea

    Which report you need depends on what changed. If you moved to a new address, you file a change of residence report. If your name, passport, school, or workplace changed, you file a report on your registration details. These are two different reports under two different articles of the Immigration Act.

    Both are due within 15 days. Both can be filed online. But they go to different places, and the penalty for missing them is different: one is an administrative fine, the other is a criminal fine. This guide shows which one applies to you and how to file it.

    What this guide covers
    01 Which report applies to you
    02 When you must report a change
    03 What documents you need for a change of address
    04 What changes to your registration details you must report
    05 Where to file each report
    06 How to file online, step by step
    07 What happens if you miss the deadline
    08 Frequently asked questions

    Which report applies to you

    Hi Korea (하이코리아, Hai Korea) treats these as two separate services. Reading only the English pages, it is easy to assume one report covers everything. It does not. Start by finding your case in the table below.

    Two reports, two sets of rules
    Immigration Act, Articles 35 and 36
    Change of residence report Change of registration details
    What changed Your address in Korea Your name, passport, school, or workplace
    Korean name 체류지 변경신고 외국인등록사항 변경신고
    Deadline 15 days from the day you move in 15 days from the day the change happens
    Where to file Immigration office, city or district office, community service center, or online Immigration office, or online for passport and employment details
    Legal basis Article 36 Article 35
    If you miss it Criminal fine up to 1,000,000 KRW Administrative fine up to 1,000,000 KRW

    If both happened at the same time, file both. Moving to a new address because you changed jobs is two separate changes, not one.

    When you must report a change

    Both reports are due within 15 days. The two deadlines start counting from different events, and that is where most people lose days.

    Where the count starts
    ✓ Change of address: the day you move into the new place, not the day you signed the lease.
    ✓ Change of registration details: the day the change happens, such as the issue date on your new passport.
    ✓ Weekends and public holidays are counted. The 15 days are calendar days.

    File as soon as the change happens. There is no benefit to waiting, and the online report takes a few minutes.

    What documents you need for a change of address

    You need proof that you now live at the new address. Any one of the documents below works. Bring the Korean name with you, or show it on your phone at the counter.

    Proof of residence
    체류지 입증서류 · one document is enough
    Document Korean name Who uses it
    Lease contract 임대차계약서 Anyone renting a home
    Confirmation of accommodation 숙소제공확인서 People housed by an employer, a host, or a family member
    Utility bill receipt 공공요금 넑부영수증 Anyone with a bill at the new address
    Dormitory fee receipt 기숙사비 영수증 Students living on campus

    You also bring your passport or your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증), now officially called the Residence Card. The report form itself is the change of residence report form (체류지 변경신고서), and you complete it at the counter or on screen. There is no fee.

    If someone files for you, that person brings a letter of authorization (위임장), their own identification, and a document showing your relationship, such as a family relationship certificate.

    What changes to your registration details you must report

    This is the report people miss, because nothing about their daily life changed. Renewing a passport is the most common case. The list below comes from the Korean-language Hi Korea page, which is longer than the English one.

    Report any of these within 15 days
    ✓ Your name, sex, date of birth, or nationality · 성명, 성별, 생년월일, 국적
    ✓ Your passport number, issue date, or expiry date · 여권 번호, 발급일자, 유효기간
    ✓ The organization you belong to, or its name · 소속기관 또는 단체
    ✓ Whether you are enrolled in school · 재학 여부
    ✓ Starting work or changing employer, for Working Visit (H-2) holders · 취업 개시 또는 고용처 변경
    ✓ Your job or your annual income, for some statuses · 직업 또는 연간소득금액

    The organization rule covers Culture and Art (D-1), Overseas Study (D-2), General Training (D-4), Journalism (D-5), Religious Affairs (D-6), Intra-company Transfer (D-7), Corporate Investment (D-8), and Trade Management (D-9). If you hold one of these and you change university or company, this report applies to you.

    The income rule covers a different set of statuses: Intra-company Transfer (D-7) through Trade Management (D-9), Professor (E-1) through Crew Employment (E-10), Residence (F-2), Overseas Korean (F-4), Marriage Immigrant (F-6), and Working Visit (H-2). The school item applies to elementary, middle, and high school only.

    You bring your passport and your Alien Registration Card, the report form (외국인등록사항변경신고서), and a document that proves the change, such as your new passport or a certificate of enrollment.

    If your name, sex, date of birth, or nationality changed, the office issues you a new card. Article 44 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act requires this, so expect to hand your old card over.

    Where to file each report

    A change of address has more options than most people expect. You do not have to go to an immigration office for it.

    Change of address · four ways
    01 Online through Hi Korea e-Application (전자민원)
    02 The community service center for your new address (읽·면·동 주민센터)
    03 The city, county, or district office for your new address (시·군·구청)
    04 The immigration office with jurisdiction over your new address

    Note that every option is tied to the new address, not the old one. A change to your registration details goes to the immigration office with jurisdiction over your place of stay, and passport changes and employment information changes can also be filed online.

    Government 24 (정부24) lists the processing time for a change of address as three days when filed online, and immediate service when filed in person during office hours. The report is free.

    Bring your Alien Registration Card with you. Under Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Immigration Act, the office writes the new address on the card and hands it straight back. If you hold a mobile Residence Card and file online, the new address is recorded on the mobile card instead.

    You can skip the immigration office for this one
    Immigration offices have required a visit reservation since 1 April 2021, and a reservation cannot be made for the same day. A change of address does not put you in that queue at all. File it online, or walk into the community service center or district office for your new address.

    How to file online, step by step

    Hi Korea e-Application accepts a limited list of services. Three of them belong to this guide: change of residence, passport change, and employment information change. Registering for the first time is not on that list, so a first Alien Registration Card still requires a visit.

    Filing through Hi Korea
    01 Open Hi Korea and go to e-Application.
    02 Find your report in the list of available applications.
    03 Complete the form with your new address or your new details.
    04 Attach your proof of residence or the document that proves the change.
    05 Submit, and keep the confirmation.

    Scan or photograph your proof of residence before you start, so the upload step does not stop you halfway through.

    What happens if you miss the deadline

    The two reports carry two different kinds of penalty, and the difference matters.

    A late address report is a criminal matter
    Failing to report a change of residence is punishable by a criminal fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW under Article 98, subparagraph 2 of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법). Failing to report a change to your registration details carries an administrative fine of up to 1,000,000 KRW under Article 100, paragraph 2, subparagraph 1.
    A criminal fine is a court penalty and goes on record. An administrative fine does not. If your 15 days have already passed, file anyway. Waiting makes it worse.

    Immigration also checks your reported address when you apply for other things, including an extension of stay. An address that does not match your paperwork can slow down a later application.

    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I change my address on Hi Korea?
    Open Hi Korea, go to e-Application, and select the change of residence report. Complete the form with your new address and attach one proof of residence document, such as your lease contract. Government 24 lists the online processing time as three days.
    How many days do you have to report a move?
    Article 36, paragraph 1 of the Immigration Act sets 15 days, counted from the day you move in. Some official English pages print 14 days instead. Report within 14 days and you will always be inside the legal limit.
    Do I need an appointment to report a change of address?
    Not if you file online or at a community service center or district office, which do not use the immigration reservation system. If you go to an immigration office instead, book first. Reservations have been required since 1 April 2021 and cannot be made for the same day.
    Does my new address get written on my card?
    Yes. Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Immigration Act requires the office to write the change on your Alien Registration Card and return it to you. If you hold a mobile Residence Card and file online, the change is recorded on the mobile card.
    Is a change of address the same as reporting a change to my ARC details?
    No. They are separate reports under Articles 36 and 35 of the Immigration Act. A change of address can be filed at a local government office or online. A change to your name, passport, school, or workplace goes to the immigration office, and only passport and employment changes can be filed online.

    Official sources

    Every figure in this guide comes from the pages below. Rules change, so open the page that matters to your case before you file.

    · Hi Korea, Reporting changes in Foreign Resident Registration · English · Korean
    · Government 24, Report of change of residence for foreign residents · Korean
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, Easy Law · foreign resident registration and change reports · Korean
    · Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, Immigration Act Articles 35 and 36 · Article 35 · Article 36
    · Hi Korea, e-Application service list · Korean
    · Hi Korea, visit reservation guide · Korean · English
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you file, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.
  • Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline

    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline

    Many people count the 90 days from the date printed on their visa. The count starts the day you enter Korea. You must register within 90 days of arrival, and you must do it in person. There is no online option for first-time registration.

    This guide puts everything on one page: who has to register, what to bring, what your photo must look like, what it costs, how to book your visit, and what happens at the office. Every fact below comes from Hi Korea (하이코리아), the official portal of the Korea Immigration Service, unless another source is named.

    What this guide covers
    01What you cannot do online
    02Who needs an Alien Registration Card
    03When you must apply
    04What documents you need
    05What your photo must look like
    06How much it costs
    07Where to apply
    08How to book your visit
    09How to apply, step by step

    What you cannot do online

    Hi Korea runs an online service called e-Application. Several immigration tasks can be done there without visiting an office. First-time foreign resident registration is not one of them.

    Here is what the e-Application page lists as available online:

    Available online through e-Application
    ✓Extension of stay for registered foreign residents
    ✓Report of a change of residence (체류지 변경신고)
    ✓Report of a passport change (여권변경 신고)
    ✓Report of a change in employment information
    ✓Multiple re-entry permit
    ✓Permission for activities outside your status
    ✓Part-time work permit for D-2 and D-4-1 students

    Foreign resident registration does not appear on that list. You have to go to an immigration office in person, so plan for a visit from the start.

    Who needs an Alien Registration Card

    Hi Korea states the rule this way: foreigners intending to stay in Korea for more than 90 days after entry must register.

    Two points often get missed.

    The rule is about your intended stay, not how long you end up staying. If your visa allows a one-year stay, you register even if you leave after two months. And if you change your status of stay while you are in Korea, you register at the moment that new status is granted, not 90 days later.

    If you are staying 90 days or fewer, you do not register.

    When you must apply

    You must apply within 90 days of the day you enter Korea.

    The count starts on your entry date, the date stamped in your passport at the airport. It does not start on the date your visa was issued, and it does not start on the date your visa becomes valid. This is the single most common mistake, and it can cost you weeks.

    If you changed your status of stay inside Korea, the deadline is different. Hi Korea says you register immediately after being notified of the new status.

    Book your visit early. The 90 days is the deadline for applying, not for booking. Immigration offices require an appointment, and you cannot book for the same day. Leave yourself room.

    What happens if you miss the deadline
    This is not treated as a minor paperwork slip. Under Article 95, subparagraph 7 of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법), failing to register is punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. Article 46, paragraph 1, subparagraph 12 of the same Act also makes it grounds for deportation.
    If your 90 days have already passed, go to your immigration office and report it. Waiting makes it worse.

    What documents you need

    Every document you submit must have been issued within the last three months. Hi Korea states this as a blanket rule, so a certificate you collected four months ago will not be accepted.

    What everyone must bring

    Common required documents
    Hi Korea, Documents for Foreign Resident Registration · verified September 2026
    Document Korean name Notes
    Passport 여권 Bring one photocopy of the personal information page and one of the visa page
    Application form 신청서 Download it from Hi Korea, or fill one in at the office
    One color photo 컬러사진 1매 3.5cm × 4.5cm. See the photo section below
    Fee 수수료 35,000 KRW in cash
    Proof of your address 체류지입증서류 See the list below

    Proof of your address is the item people struggle with most, because the name of the document is broad. Hi Korea gives these examples: a lease contract (임대차계약서), a confirmation that accommodation is provided to you (숙소제공확인서), a notice that your period of stay is about to expire (체류기간만료예고통지문), or a receipt for a utility bill (공공요금납부영수증). The list is not closed, so other documents that show where you live may be accepted.

    If you live in a dormitory or in housing your employer arranged, ask that office for the accommodation confirmation. They will usually know the form.

    What your visa status adds

    On top of the common documents, each status of stay has its own list. Below are five of the most common. Hi Korea publishes the full table for more than 25 statuses, from D-1 to H-2C, and the link is in the sources at the end.

    Additional documents by status of stay
    Five common statuses · Hi Korea · verified September 2026
    Status What to add
    D-2
    Overseas study
    유학    		 A certificate of studentship (재학증명서)
    D-4
    General training
    일반연수    		 Language training at a university, or elementary, middle and high school students: a certificate of studentship (재학증명서).
    Other training: a document proving the training organization was founded, such as a copy of its business registration
    E-2
    Foreign language instructor
    회화지도    		 A copy of the employer’s business registration certificate (사업자등록증) or certificate of proper number (고유번호증), and an employment physical exam report from a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice, including drug test results
    E-7
    Specially designated activities
    특정활동    		 A copy of the employer’s business registration certificate (사업자등록증). Teaching roles at foreign schools, foreign educational institutions and international high schools also need the employment physical exam report with drug test results
    F-6
    Marriage immigrant
    결혼이민    		 Your Korean spouse’s detailed marriage relationship certificate (혼인관계증명서 상세) and their resident registration extract (주민등록등본)

    Two of these statuses require a medical exam with a drug test. That exam has to come from a hospital the Ministry of Justice has designated, so you cannot use any clinic. Ask your employer or school which hospital near you is on the list, and book it early. The result takes time.

    What your photo must look like

    The photo rules are published on Hi Korea, but that page has not been translated into English. Here is what it says.

    Photo requirements
    ✓3.5cm wide by 4.5cm tall
    ✓Color photo on a white background
    ✓Facing forward
    ✓Taken within the last six months

    This is the standard Korean ID photo size. Any photo studio in Korea will know it if you say the size out loud. Photo booths in subway stations print it as well, and they are cheaper.

    How much it costs

    Registration costs 35,000 KRW. The fee rose from 30,000 KRW on 1 January 2025, when the card began carrying an IC chip.

    The office takes cash only. Bring the exact amount, or something close to it, in Korean won. A card will not work, and neither will a transfer from your phone.

    There is one exemption. Applicants with a corporate investment status (D-8, 기업투자) do not pay the fee.

    Where to apply

    You apply at the immigration office that covers the district where you live. It is not your choice. Each office has a fixed jurisdiction, and you go to the one your address falls under.

    Hi Korea has a lookup page for this, and it works in English. You can either pick your region from a list of 16, or type in the name of an office. The results show each office’s name, its street address, and the districts it covers. Find your district in that last column.

    Check this before you book. If you book at the wrong office, you will have to start again.

    How to book your visit

    This is the part that catches people out, because the English version of the booking page is much shorter than the Korean one. The rules below come from the Korean page.

    You cannot walk in. Since April 2021, every immigration office in Korea runs on appointments. Without a booking, your application will not be accepted, and you will be sent home.

    You cannot book for today. Bookings open from the day after you make the request. Same-day appointments are not possible.

    You cannot cancel on the day. Cancellations are accepted up to one day before your appointment. On the day itself, the slot is locked.

    The booking must be in your own name. Even if someone applies on your behalf, the appointment is made using your personal details, not theirs.

    You can book with a Hi Korea account or as a non-member after identity verification. Either route works.

    Two reports do not need an appointment
    Reporting a change of residence and reporting a passport change can both be done without booking. Both can also be done online. First-time registration cannot.

    How to apply, step by step

    1Find your office. Use the Hi Korea lookup and match your district to an office.
    2Book your visit. Book on Hi Korea, at least one day ahead, in your own name.
    3Collect your documents. Common documents plus whatever your status requires. Nothing older than three months.
    4Get your photo. 3.5 × 4.5cm, white background, taken in the last six months.
    5Bring 35,000 KRW in cash. Cards are not accepted.
    6Go to your appointment. Submit everything and pay at the counter.
    7Wait for your card. The office will tell you how and when to collect it.

    Keep your appointment confirmation and any receipt you are given. You will need them if you have to ask about your application later.

    What to say at the counter

    Five sentences for the immigration office counter. Show the screen if it is easier than speaking.

    외국인등록 신청하러 왔습니다.
    Oe-gu-gin-deung-nok sin-cheong-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
    “I am here to apply for foreign resident registration.”
    Say this first at the counter.
    예약 확인 부탁드립니다.
    Ye-yak hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
    “Please check my reservation.”
    If you booked a visit on Hi Korea.
    서류가 다 맞는지 봐주시겠어요?
    Seo-ryu-ga da man-neun-ji bwa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
    “Could you check whether my documents are complete?”
    Before you hand everything over.
    수수료는 얼마인가요?
    Su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
    “How much is the fee?”
    The fee is paid at the counter.
    카드는 언제 나오나요?
    Ka-deu-neun eon-je na-o-na-yo?
    “When will the card be ready?”
    Ask before you leave.
    Alien Registration Card guides
    Korea Immigration Deadlines: A Checklist for Foreign Residents
    Every deadline, fee, and penalty in one table, with the article of the Immigration Act behind each line.
    Alien Registration Card in Korea: Documents, Cost, and Deadline
    You just arrived. Documents, the fee, photo rules, and why this one cannot be done online.
    How to Report a Change of Address or ARC Details in Korea
    You moved, or your name, passport, school, or workplace changed. Two reports, two penalties.
    What to Do If You Lose Your Alien Registration Card in Korea
    Report the loss online first, then apply for a replacement in person.
    How to Extend Your Stay in Korea: Timing, Fee, and Documents
    The window opens four months before your expiry date, and you must be in Korea to file.

    Once your card arrives, the rules do not stop. If you move, change your passport, or lose the card, each of those has its own deadline, and missing one can mean a fine.

    Frequently asked questions

    How long does it take to get an Alien Registration Card?
    The Jung-gu District Office in Seoul states that it takes about four weeks to receive your card. Processing times differ by office, so ask at the counter when you apply.
    Can I apply for an Alien Registration Card online?
    No. First-time foreign resident registration is not on the list of services available through Hi Korea’s e-Application system. You must book an appointment and go in person. Some later tasks, such as reporting a change of residence or extending your stay, can be done online.
    Is the Alien Registration Card the same as the Residence Card?
    Yes. They are the same document. The official English name was changed to Residence Card because the word “alien” was criticized as othering, and the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act now uses Residence Card in its forms. Hi Korea has not finished updating its pages, so you will still see Alien Registration Card, Foreigner Registration Card and Foreign Resident Registration used on the same site. All of them refer to the card described here.

    Official sources

    ·Hi Korea — Foreign Resident Registration
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — Documents for Foreign Resident Registration (full table by status)
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — Photo standards
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — Visit reservation
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — Find your immigration office
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Hi Korea — e-Application
    hikorea.go.kr
    ·Jung-gu District Office, Seoul — Alien Registration (processing time)
    junggu.seoul.kr
    ·Ministry of Government Legislation — Immigration Act, Articles 31, 46 and 95 (Korean)
    easylaw.go.kr
    Information verified as of September 2026. Rules and fees change often. Confirm the details with the official source before you apply, or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
    This site is not affiliated with the Korean government. Always confirm details with the official source.