How to Register Your Address in Korea: ARC Application and Address Change Guide
How to Register Your Address in Korea: ARC Application and Address Change Guide
If you're staying in Korea for more than 90 days, there's one piece of paperwork you can't skip: the Alien Registration Card, also known as the ARC or Residence Card (RC). It's your official ID in Korea, and without it, basic tasks like opening a bank account or getting a phone plan become significantly harder. The process isn't complicated — but there are a few details that trip people up. This guide covers both the initial ARC application and what to do when you move.
Note: This guide covers two separate processes — your initial ARC application and the address change procedure when you move. These are distinct steps. Both are explained below.
The Quick Answer
If you're staying in Korea for 91 days or more on a long-term visa (D, E, F, or similar), you must apply for an ARC within 90 days of arrival. Book an appointment on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr), gather your documents, pay the fee (₩35,000 as of January 2025), and your card will be issued within approximately 2–3 weeks.
What Is the ARC (Alien Registration Card)?
The ARC — officially called the Alien Registration Card (์ธ๊ตญ์ธ๋ฑ๋ก์ฆ), also referred to as the Residence Card (RC) — is the official identification card for foreigners living in Korea. It contains your photo, registration number, visa status, and address.
What you can do with an ARC:
- Open a Korean bank account
- Get a Korean SIM card on a long-term plan
- Sign up for National Health Insurance (NHIS)
- Apply for a Korean driver's license
- Access government and public services
- Use your ARC number for identity verification on Korean websites and apps
What happens without one: Most of the above become significantly harder or impossible. Some services offer workarounds for new arrivals (see the section on what to do before your ARC arrives), but for anything long-term, the ARC is essential.
Who Needs to Apply?
| Situation | ARC Required? |
|---|---|
| Staying more than 90 days on a long-term visa | ✅ Yes — mandatory |
| Tourist visa (C-3), staying under 90 days | ❌ Not required |
| Visa-exempt short-term stay | ❌ Not required |
| D visa (student, trainee) | ✅ Yes |
| E visa (employment) | ✅ Yes |
| F visa (family, permanent resident) | ✅ Yes |
Deadline: Apply within 90 days of arrival. Missing this deadline results in a fine.
What to Prepare
Documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport (original) | Required for identity verification |
| Valid visa | Affixed to passport |
| Passport-size photos | 2 photos, 3.5×4.5cm, white background, taken within the last 6 months |
| Foreign Registration Application Form | Available on HiKorea or at the immigration office |
| Proof of address | Lease agreement, dormitory confirmation letter, or similar |
| Application fee | ₩35,000 (as of January 1, 2025) |
⚠️ Fee note: The ARC fee increased from ₩30,000 to ₩35,000 on January 1, 2025, due to the introduction of IC chip-embedded cards that support mobile ARC functionality. Payment can be made by card, electronic payment, or cash at the immigration office counter.
Visa-specific documents: Some visa categories require additional documents — for example, D-2 student visa applicants may need an enrollment certificate, and E-7 visa holders may need an employment contract. Check HiKorea or contact 1345 for your specific visa type.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Book an Appointment on HiKorea
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⚠️ Appointment is mandatory. Walk-in applications are not accepted at most immigration offices. Showing up without a reservation will result in being turned away.
- Go to hikorea.go.kr
- Select '๋ฏผ์์ ์ฒญ' → '๋ฐฉ๋ฌธ์์ฝ' (Appointment Booking)
- Verify your identity using one of three options:
- Passport number (recommended for first-time applicants)
- Visa number
- Foreign registration number (if you already have one)
- Select your nearest immigration office
- Choose '์ธ๊ตญ์ธ๋ฑ๋ก (Alien Registration)' as your service
- Select a date and time
- Set a password (needed if you need to cancel) and confirm
- Save or print your appointment confirmation
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๐ก Appointments open approximately one month in advance. Popular offices (Seoul in particular) fill up quickly. Book as early as possible after arrival.
Step 2: Gather All Documents
Prepare everything listed in the document section above before your appointment date. Bring originals — not photocopies — for your passport and visa.
Step 3: Arrive at the Immigration Office
Arrive 10–15 minutes before your appointment time. Bring your appointment confirmation (printed or saved on your phone).
At the office:
- Take a number at the entrance
- When called, go to the designated counter
- Submit all documents
- Get fingerprinted (biometric registration is part of the process)
- Pay the ₩35,000 fee
Step 4: Wait for Your Card
Processing time is approximately 2–3 weeks, though this varies by office and demand. You'll be notified by text or through HiKorea when your card is ready.
Step 5: Receive Your ARC
Option 1: Pick up in person at the immigration office Option 2: Have it mailed to your registered address (request this at the time of application if available)
What to Do When Appointments Are Fully Booked
Popular immigration offices — especially in Seoul — frequently have no available slots for weeks. Here's what to do:
Check for cancellations frequently. Slots open up when people cancel. Check HiKorea multiple times a day, especially on weekday mornings. Cancellations are common.
Try a different immigration office. Korea has regional immigration offices and branch offices. Check whether a nearby office has earlier availability — you can sometimes apply at a different office from your residential district, though confirm this in advance.
Call 1345 — the Foreign Residents Support Center. This is the most useful number to know:
- Operates Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Available in up to 20 languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and more
- Can advise on appointment availability, document requirements, and what to do if your stay deadline is approaching
Use a licensed administrative agent (ํ์ ์ฌ). Licensed agents (haengjeongsa) can submit ARC applications on your behalf in some circumstances. This option has a service fee but bypasses some of the appointment bottleneck.
If your 90-day deadline is approaching: Visit the immigration office directly and explain the situation to staff. Offices generally accommodate people who are at risk of missing a legal deadline even without an appointment — but do not wait until the last day.
Exceptions — no appointment needed:
- Collecting your ARC card once issued
- Reporting a change of address
- Reporting a lost card
- Elderly visitors (70+), pregnant women, and people with disabilities (proof required)
After You Get Your ARC
Once your card arrives, a few things should happen in short order:
Open a bank account. Your ARC number is what Korean banks use to verify long-term foreign residents. See our guide: How to Open a Bank Account in Korea Without Korean ID
Get a Korean SIM card. Long-term phone plans require ARC registration. See: How to Get a SIM Card in Korea as a Foreigner
Register for National Health Insurance (NHIS). Most foreigners on long-term visas are automatically enrolled after 6 months, but checking your status is worth doing.
Set up mobile ARC. Since January 2025, the new IC chip-embedded ARC supports a mobile version stored on your phone. Ask at the immigration office about activating this after receiving your physical card.
When You Move: Address Change Procedure
Moving to a new address in Korea involves two separate steps, both required within 14 days of moving.
Step 1: Juminwon (์ฃผ๋ฏผ์ผํฐ) — Resident Registration
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What to bring:
- Passport and ARC
- Lease agreement or proof of new address
This step is also available online via Government24 (gov.kr) for some visa types.
Step 2: Immigration Office — ARC Address Update
Separately, report your address change to the immigration office. This updates the address on your ARC record.
Options:
- Online via HiKorea (no appointment needed for address changes)
- In person at any immigration office (no appointment needed for this specific task)
⚠️ Both steps are required. Completing only one does not satisfy the full legal requirement. The 14-day deadline applies to both.
If You Lose Your ARC
Step 1: Report the Loss — Within 14 Days
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Online (recommended) | HiKorea → '์ ๋ณด์กฐํ' → '๋ฑ๋ก์ฆ ๋ถ์ค์ ๊ณ ' |
| Police station | Visit any local police station → file a loss report → receive a loss confirmation document |
| Immigration office | If police visit isn't possible, report directly at immigration |
⚠️ Failing to report within 14 days results in a fine.
Step 2: Apply for Reissuance
- In person only — you must appear yourself. No proxy or family member can apply on your behalf (except in special circumstances such as disability).
- Appointment required on HiKorea (same booking process as initial application)
- Fee: ₩35,000 (same as initial issuance, payable by card or cash)
- Processing time: approximately 2–3 weeks
Documents needed for reissuance:
- Passport (original)
- Passport-size photo (1 photo, 3.5×4.5cm, white background)
- Application form (available at the office or download from HiKorea)
- Loss report / loss reason statement
- Proof of address
- Additional documents depending on visa type (e.g., enrollment certificate for D-2)
Temporary ID while waiting: You can request an '์ธ๊ตญ์ธ๋ฑ๋ก ์ฌ์ค์ฆ๋ช ' (Certificate of Alien Registration) from the immigration office or HiKorea. This document serves as temporary identity verification while your replacement card is being processed.
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Useful Numbers and Links
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| HiKorea | hikorea.go.kr — appointments, online applications, address changes |
| 1345 Foreign Residents Support Center | Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–10:00 PM / 20 languages including English |
| 1330 Korea Tourism Hotline | 24/7 / English, Chinese, Japanese — general questions |
| Government24 | gov.kr — juminwon registration and some ARC-related services |
FAQ
Q: Can I open a bank account before I get my ARC? Some banks will open limited accounts with a passport and visa during the waiting period. Hana Bank and Shinhan Bank are generally the most accommodating. See our bank account guide for full details.
Q: Is the transfer registration (์ ์ ์ ๊ณ ) the same as the ARC address change? No — they are two separate procedures. The juminwon transfer registration updates the national address system; the immigration address change updates your ARC record. Both must be done within 14 days of moving.
Q: Does a goshiwon, dormitory, or shared house count as a valid address? Yes. A goshiwon (๊ณ ์์), university dormitory, or shared house can serve as proof of address. Bring whatever document your housing provider gives you — a room contract, dormitory confirmation letter, or signed statement from the landlord.
Q: Can I walk in without an appointment? For most ARC-related applications, no. Appointments are mandatory and walk-ins are turned away. Exceptions include collecting your completed card, reporting a lost card, and changing your address. If you're elderly (70+), pregnant, or have a disability, you can visit without an appointment with supporting documents.
Q: Is the ₩35,000 fee payable by card? Yes. As of January 2025, the fee can be paid by card, electronic payment methods, or cash at the immigration office counter. Cash-only is no longer the only option.
Q: Can a family member pick up my ARC for me? Collecting your issued ARC card can generally be done by a family member or representative with a letter of authorization and their own ID. However, the initial application and reissuance after loss require personal appearance.
Q: What can I use as ID before my ARC arrives? Your passport remains valid ID throughout the waiting period. For the specific period after a lost card report, you can request an ์ธ๊ตญ์ธ๋ฑ๋ก ์ฌ์ค์ฆ๋ช (Certificate of Alien Registration) as a supplementary document.
Q: Does 1345 provide English support? Yes. The 1345 Foreign Residents Support Center provides assistance in up to 20 languages, including English. Operating hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM KST.
Related Posts
- How to Open a Bank Account in Korea Without Korean ID
- How to Get a SIM Card in Korea as a Foreigner
- How to Use Korean Food Delivery Apps Without Speaking Korean
Bookmark this page before your first immigration office visit — it covers every step from arrival to address change.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments — we'll help you figure it out.
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