How to Get Your Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea: 2026 Step-by-Step

If you plan to stay in Korea more than 90 days, you must do foreigner registration (외국인등록) within 90 days of entry at the immigration office covering your address (Immigration Act, Art. 31). You get a Residence Card (외국인등록증), which most people still call the "ARC". It shows your 13-digit foreigner registration number (외국인등록번호), and most Korean systems need that number.

Why the ARC matters

You'll need it for almost everything:

• Opening a normal bank account and lifting the "limited account" status.
• A postpaid phone plan in your own name. That number is your identity-verification tool (본인인증).
• National Health Insurance enrollment and billing.
• Government websites (Hometax, HiKorea e-application), delivery apps, transport refund programs.
• Re-entering Korea without a separate permit, as long as the card is valid.

Key facts (as of Oct 2026)

Who is exempt?

Diplomatic (A-1), official (A-2) and agreement (A-3) visa holders may be exempt. Ethnic Koreans on F-4 do a domestic residence report (국내거소신고) instead. That's a similar process with its own card.

The 3 things that slow people down

1. No proof of address. You can't register without a residence you can document.
2. No appointment slots. Popular offices (Seoul, Seoul Southern, Suwon, Incheon) fill up weeks ahead.
3. Visa-specific documents. Each visa type needs extra papers. Missing one means coming back on a new appointment.

The full guide below covers the booking strategy, the exact document checklist for each visa type, the counter phrases, and what to do when the 90-day deadline is close.

Step 1 — Get a residence you can prove (Week 1)

Immigration accepts the following as proof of residence (체류지 입증서류):

• Lease contract (임대차계약서) in your name. A copy is fine; bring the original if you can.
• Dormitory certificate (기숙사 입사확인서) from your school.
• Accommodation provision confirmation (숙소제공 확인서) signed by the person you live with, plus a copy of their ID. The form is on HiKorea under *Forms (민원서식)*.
• Company housing confirmation from your employer.

Short-term rentals, hostels and hotels are often refused, or accepted only with extra checks. If that's your situation, call 1345 before booking.

Step 2 — Find your office (관할 출입국·외국인관서)

Your office is determined by your address, not your workplace. Find it on immigration.go.kr → *Offices* or by calling 1345. Some districts are covered by a branch office (출장소).

Step 3 — Book on HiKorea (방문예약)

1. Go to hikorea.go.kr → *Visit Reservation (방문예약)*. Non-member booking uses your passport details.
2. Choose your office, then the task "외국인등록 (Foreigner Registration)". Choose the person count if family members are registering too.
3. Pick a date. If nothing is free, check again early in the morning; cancellations get released.
4. Save or print the reservation confirmation.

Tip: Foreigner registration is also listed in HiKorea's e-application menu, but only for certain cases. Most first-time applicants still need to visit, because fingerprints and a face photo are taken in person.

Step 4 — Prepare documents

Common checklist (everyone)

• [ ] Integrated Application Form (통합신청서, Form No. 34), filled in English or Korean
• [ ] Passport (original) + copy of the photo page and entry stamp/visa
• [ ] 1 photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background, taken within 6 months, no glasses glare, ears/face fully visible
• [ ] Proof of residence (Step 1)
• [ ] Fee: 35,000 KRW (have cash ready)
• [ ] Your Korean mobile number (for SMS updates)
• [ ] Optional: pre-paid return envelope or postal delivery fee, if your office offers delivery

Extra documents by visa (typical; confirm in HiKorea's *Guide by Status of Stay* manual)

Children under 17 are registered by a parent, who brings the child's birth certificate (apostilled and translated).

Step 5 — At the counter

When your number is called, hand over everything in one stack: form, passport, photo, residence proof, visa documents.

Phrases that help

• "외국인등록 하러 왔어요. 예약했어요." *(I'm here for foreigner registration. I have a reservation.)*
• "등록증은 우편으로 받을 수 있어요?" *(Can I receive the card by mail?)*
• "접수증 주세요." *(Please give me the receipt.)*

They'll take your fingerprints and photo. Keep the receipt (접수증). Until the card arrives, it proves your application is in progress, and some banks and carriers accept it for basic services.

Step 6 — Receive the card

• Processing: commonly about 2–4 weeks, longer in peak months (March and September for students). This isn't an official figure; ask at the counter.
• Status: check on HiKorea → *Check application status* or by calling 1345.
• Pickup: in person with the receipt and passport, or by post where offered.

Timeline template

If you're close to the 90-day deadline

• Book any available slot, even at an inconvenient time, and keep a screenshot showing when you booked.
• Call 1345 and explain. Ask whether your office accepts walk-ins or a mail-in for your situation.
• Late registration is a violation and can mean a fine (과태료/범칙금) based on how many days late you are. Don't gamble on it.

After you get the card

1. Bank: register the ARC number on your account and ask to lift the limited-account status (see our bank account guide).
2. Phone: move to a postpaid plan in your name.
3. Digital certificate: set up a joint or financial certificate (공동인증서/금융인증서) through your bank app for Hometax and HiKorea logins.
4. Calendar reminders:

• Report a new address within 15 days of moving (F-4: 14 days).
• Apply for reissuance within 14 days of losing the card.
• Apply for an extension from 4 months before your stay expires.

How long it takes and what to do while waiting

Processing usually takes about 2–4 weeks, longer in March and September when students arrive. While waiting:

• You may leave and re-enter Korea on your passport and visa in most cases, but check re-entry rules for your status if you travel.
• Many banks will open only a limited account without the card (see our bank-account guide).
• Prepaid SIMs work with a passport; postpaid usually waits for the card.
• You can check progress on HiKorea → "Application status inquiry" (민원 진행상황 조회) using your passport details.

Common mistakes

• Photo rejected: colored background, smiling with teeth, shadows, hair over eyebrows.
• Address mismatch: the address on your form must match your lease exactly, including the unit number (호수).
• Expired passport soon: you're only given a period of stay up to your passport's expiry. Renew the passport first if it expires within a year.
• Old documents: certificates older than 3 months may be rejected.
• Unapostilled foreign documents: birth and marriage certificates from abroad need an apostille (or consular legalization) plus a Korean translation.
• Forgetting the receipt: without it, pickup takes longer.

Quick FAQ

Can I leave Korea before I get the card? Yes. Your registration stays valid, but you may need the card to re-enter smoothly. Ask the counter about your travel dates.

Does registration also enroll me in health insurance? NHIS enrolls you based on your status and how long you've been in Korea. See our NHIS guide.

Is the card free for children? Fee exemptions exist for some nationalities and cases. Check HiKorea's fee table.

*Information is as of Oct 2026, based on the Immigration Act, its Enforcement Rules (Art. 72–73) and Korea Immigration Service notices. Rules and office practices change, so confirm on HiKorea or call 1345 before you go. This guide is general information, not legal advice.*