Korea Residence Card (2026): 90-Day Deadline, ₩35,000 Fee and the 15-Day Rule
Last checked: 2026-09-30
This Korea residence card guide is built from official sources, not from our own experience: as Korean citizens, we cannot register as foreign residents ourselves. Every figure below links to the official page it came from.
Short answer: if you are staying in Korea for more than 90 days, you must register at the immigration office for your area within 90 days of the day you entered Korea. The Korea residence card now costs ₩35,000, and once you have it, you must report a new address within 15 days of moving. You will still see ₩30,000 and 14 days in many places, including parts of HiKorea itself. Below, we show which figure the law and the latest official notice actually give.
| What | The rule | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Who must register | Anyone staying more than 90 days | Immigration Act, Article 31 |
| Deadline to register | Within 90 days of entry | Immigration Act, Article 31 |
| Card fee | ₩35,000 (was ₩30,000 before 2025) | Korea Immigration Service notice |
| Report a new address | Within 15 days of moving in | Immigration Act, Article 36 |
| Report a new passport or name | Within 15 days | Immigration Act, Article 35 |
ARC or residence card? It is the same card
For years the card was called the Alien Registration Card, or ARC, and most people still use that name. Official English pages now call it the Residence Card or Foreign Residence Card. When someone asks for your ARC, they mean this card.
Who needs to register
Under Article 31 of the Immigration Act, any foreign national who stays in Korea for more than 90 days from the date of entry must register and get a Korea residence card. In practice, that covers almost everyone on a long-term visa: workers, students, working holiday makers, and spouses of Korean nationals.
The law lists a few exceptions, mainly staff of foreign embassies, consulates and international organisations and their families, people with diplomatic-type privileges under an agreement with the Korean government, and certain people invited by the government. Tourists staying 90 days or less do not register.
The deadline: 90 days from your entry date
The clock starts on the day you entered Korea, not the day you signed a lease or started work. Popular offices can be booked up for weeks, so book an appointment in your first week or two rather than near the end of the 90 days.
Where to apply and how to book
You apply at the immigration office or branch office that covers the area where you live. You cannot pick any office you like.
Book your visit through HiKorea, the government portal for foreign residents. Local government guidance, such as Seoul Jung-gu’s page for foreign residents, says you need a reservation on HiKorea before visiting.
What to bring
HiKorea lists these common documents:
- Your passport, with a copy of the personal details page and the visa page
- The application form
- One colour photo, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm
- Proof of where you live: a lease contract, a certificate of accommodation, an advance notice on expiration of stay, or a utility bill receipt
- The fee (see below)
On top of these, each visa type has its own documents, such as a certificate of enrolment for students or an employment contract for workers. Check the list for your visa on HiKorea before your appointment.
Staying with a friend or in company housing? You can use a certificate of accommodation from the person or organisation providing your home instead of a lease in your own name.
The fee: ₩35,000, not ₩30,000
The Korea Immigration Service announced that from 1 January 2025, residence cards include an IC chip, and the issuance fee rose from ₩30,000 to ₩35,000. The increase covers standard residence cards, permanent residence cards and overseas Korean residence cards (official notice, posted 14 December 2024). Existing cards stay valid; the new fee applies when a card is issued or reissued.
HiKorea’s own registration page is not consistent. Its process chart says ₩35,000, cash only, while its document list on the same page still says ₩30,000 paid by government revenue stamp. The notice above is the more recent and more specific source, so plan for ₩35,000 and bring cash in won. The officer will tell you exactly how to pay at your appointment.
How long it takes
It depends on the office and the time of year. Local government pages give times from about one week to about four weeks. Ask at your appointment when your card will be ready and whether you can have it posted to you. We could not find an official figure for a postal delivery fee, so we do not quote one here.
After you get your card: two 15-day rules
Moving house: report within 15 days
If you move, you must report your new address within 15 days of moving in (Immigration Act, Article 36). You can report at the community service centre (jumin center) or the city, county or district office for your new address, or at the immigration office for your new area.
HiKorea’s English page mentions 14 days in one caution note, while the Act says 15. If you want to stay safe, simply report in your first week.
New passport, name or other details: also 15 days
If your name, sex, date of birth or nationality changes, or you get a new passport, report it to your immigration office within 15 days (Immigration Act, Article 35).
Missing either deadline can lead to a fine, so treat both as firm.
Where to get help
- Immigration Contact Center: 1345. Information in various languages on weekdays from 09:00 to 22:00. After 18:00, only Korean, English and Chinese are available. From abroad, dial +82-1345. (official page)
- HiKorea: www.hikorea.go.kr for bookings, forms and the document list for your visa.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ARC the same as the residence card?
Yes. Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the older name. Official English pages now say Residence Card or Foreign Residence Card.
Do I need a residence card if I stay 90 days or less?
No. Registration is required only if you stay in Korea for more than 90 days from your date of entry.
How much does a Korea residence card cost in 2026?
₩35,000, according to the Korea Immigration Service notice that took effect on 1 January 2025. Older pages that say ₩30,000 were written before the increase.
How do I pay the fee?
HiKorea’s process chart says cash only, so bring ₩35,000 in cash. The officer will tell you exactly how to pay at the office.
Can I just walk in without an appointment?
Plan on booking through HiKorea first. Local government guidance says a reservation is needed before you visit for registration.
What proof of address do I need if I am staying with a friend?
A certificate of accommodation from the person providing your home is one of the documents HiKorea accepts as proof of residence.
How long does it take to get the card?
Anywhere from about one week to about four weeks, depending on the office. Ask at your appointment.
Do I have to report a new address?
Yes. Report it within 15 days of moving in, at your local community service centre, city, county or district office, or immigration office.
What if I get a new passport?
Report the new passport to your immigration office within 15 days.
What happens if I miss the 90-day deadline?
You can be fined. Contact your immigration office or call 1345 as soon as you notice, and register without further delay.
Official sources
- Immigration Act, Article 31 (registration), Article 35 (changes to details) and Article 36 (change of address). In Korean. In force from 23 January 2026 (Act No. 20992).
- Korea Immigration Service, Fee Increase for Foreign Residence Cards Starting January 1, 2025, posted 14 December 2024.
- HiKorea, foreign resident registration guide (English).
- Korea Immigration Service, Immigration Contact Center 1345.
- Seoul Jung-gu Office, Alien Registration (reservation requirement).
Official sources checked: 2026-09-30. Rules and fees can change. Before your appointment, confirm the details on HiKorea or by calling 1345. This article is general information, not immigration advice. Illustrations on this site are created with AI tools. Facts are checked against official sources linked in each article.