What is an ARC (Alien Registration Card) and why do you need it?
Your first 90 days in Korea run on your passport. Once you have your Alien Registration Card (ARC, 외국인등록증), the practical parts of daily life unlock: bank account, SIM contract, National Health Insurance (국민건강보험, NHIS) enrollment, and official ID at most government offices, hospitals, and businesses.
Without an ARC, most banks will not open an account for you. SIM contracts, NHIS enrollment, and most government services all require it. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can settle in properly.
Who must register: Any foreigner who has been or intends to be in Korea for 91 consecutive days or more. This includes work visa holders (E-series), student visa holders (D-series), and long-stay family visa holders (F-series).
Deadline: Apply within 90 days of your date of entry. Do not leave it to the last week. Processing takes a few weeks, and you want the card before day 90.
What do you need before applying for an ARC?
Most ARC applications require the same core set: original passport, visa documentation, one passport-style photo, proof of a Korean address (lease, employer housing letter, or goshiwon receipt), and the ₩35,000 application fee. E-series work visa holders add an employer letter or contract; D-2 students add a 재학증명서 enrollment certificate from their school's international office. Bring originals plus one photocopy of each.
Documents required for most visa types:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport (original) | Must be valid for the full stay |
| Visa documentation | The visa page in your passport or your Certificate of Alien Registration |
| 1 passport-style photo | Colour, white background, recent (same specs as passport photo) |
| Proof of address | Lease contract, employer-provided housing letter, or goshiwon/hostel receipt |
| Employer letter or contract | For E-series (work) visas |
| Enrollment certificate (재학증명서) | For D-2 (student) visa holders, get this from your school's international office |
| Application fee | ₩35,000 (paid at the immigration office; verify current fee at www.immigration.go.kr) |
Tip: Bring originals and one photocopy of everything. Immigration offices sometimes keep copies.
How do you apply for an ARC, step by step?
Step 1, Find your immigration office
Go to the immigration office (출입국·외국인청) in the jurisdiction where you live. Major offices:
- Seoul: Seoul Immigration Office (서울출입국·외국인청) in Mok-dong, or satellite offices in various districts
- Incheon: Incheon Immigration Office near Bupyeong
- Busan: Busan Immigration Office in Choryang-dong
- Gyeonggi: Suwon, Ansan, or Uijeongbu offices depending on your area
Find your nearest office at www.immigration.go.kr → 사무소 안내 (Office guide), or browse Seoulstart's immigration office directory to find the office and contacts for your area.
Step 2, Book an appointment (recommended)
Walk-ins are no longer accepted at most offices, so book an appointment online at www.hikorea.go.kr or via the Hi Korea app. A HiKorea reservation is mandatory at virtually every office; same-day walk-ins are reserved for emergencies such as a visa expiring that day.
Step 3, Visit the office
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment. Take a numbered ticket at the entrance (선택: 외국인등록 for ARC registration). Have all documents ready.
At the counter, a staff member will:
- Check your documents
- Take your biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
- Issue you a receipt for your application
Pay the ₩35,000 fee at the payment counter (현금 cash or 카드 card accepted).
Step 4, Wait for processing
Processing typically takes a few weeks. You will receive an SMS when your ARC is ready for pickup, or you can check status online at Hi Korea.
Step 5, Pick up your ARC
Return to the same immigration office with your passport and the receipt they gave you. Your ARC will be issued at the counter.
What can you do while waiting for your ARC?
During the processing window (usually a few weeks), your passport plus visa covers work and lease-signing, but most name-registered services stay blocked. You cannot open a Korean bank account at most banks, sign a Korean SIM contract, or enroll in NHIS (국민건강보험) until the card is issued. Cash ATM withdrawals, prepaid SIMs, and global debit cards (Wise, Revolut) cover the gap.
A quick reference:
| Task | Can you do it without ARC? |
|---|---|
| Cash ATM withdrawals | Yes (use home country card) |
| Open a Korean bank account | Usually no (some banks may accept passport only) |
| Get a Korean SIM contract | No (need ARC for name registration) |
| Get a prepaid SIM | Yes, see our SIM card guide |
| Enroll in NHIS | No |
| Sign a lease | Yes, passport is sufficient for signing a lease |
| Work at your employer | Yes, your visa covers this while ARC is processing |
Use a global debit card (Wise, Revolut) for spending while you wait. Most convenience stores, restaurants, and transit accept foreign cards.
How do you update your ARC for address changes?
If you move after you have your ARC, you must report the address change (체류지 변경신고) within 15 days of the move (Immigration Act, Article 36). You can file at either place:
- The community service center (주민센터) or district office (시·군·구청) for your new address, or
- The immigration office (출입국·외국인청) that covers your new address.
One filing is enough. You do not need to report to both. The report also counts as your move-in report, so you do not file a separate one (Article 88-2). Bring your ARC when you file. The office writes the new address on the card and returns it to you (Article 36(2)). If you have a mobile ARC and file through the online civil service portal, the new address can be recorded in the mobile ARC instead (Article 36(8)).
Missing the 15-day deadline can lead to a fine of up to ₩1 million (Article 98) and can affect future visa renewals.
How do you renew an ARC in Korea?
Your ARC expiry date matches your visa expiry date. Renew at the immigration office before your current ARC and visa expire, typically starting 4 months before the expiry date. The renewal process is similar to the initial application.
Useful contacts
- Korea Immigration Service main line: 1345 (English available)
- Hi Korea portal: www.hikorea.go.kr (appointment booking, status checks)
- Seoul Immigration Office address: 서울특별시 양천구 목동동로 151 (Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu)