Book a visit on HiKorea, then bring your passport, one 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm photo, proof of address and the documents for your visa type. Since January 1, 2025, the fee is ₩35,000.
Last updated: October 8, 2026
ARC or Residence Card: same thing
The card used to be called the Alien Registration Card (ARC). Korea renamed it the Residence Card in 2021, but most people, banks and landlords still say "ARC." Both names mean the same Korean card (외국인등록증).
The card is an official ID. Under Korean immigration law, it has the same legal effect as a Korean citizen's resident registration card. You will need it to open a bank account, get a phone plan in your name, sign a lease and use many online services.
Who needs one
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You will stay in Korea more than 90 days | Apply for a Residence Card within 90 days of entry |
| You changed to a new visa status inside Korea | Apply right when you receive the new status |
| Overseas Korean on an F-4 visa | You can file a Domestic Residence Report (국내거소신고) instead. If you don't, register within 90 days like everyone else |
| Staff of foreign embassies and international organizations, and their families | May be exempt |
| Under 17 years old | Registration is still required, but the card may not be issued |
If you miss the 90-day deadline, you can be fined. Student notices also warn that a D-2 visa can be canceled.
Documents to bring
Every applicant needs these:
- Passport (original)
- Application form (통합신청서). You can get it at the immigration office or download it from HiKorea
- One color photo, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (rules below)
- Proof of address, such as your lease contract, a dormitory certificate, or an accommodation confirmation letter
- Fee: ₩35,000
- Documents for your visa type. For example, students bring a certificate of enrollment. Workers usually bring employment documents. Check your visa's list on HiKorea before your visit
Some nationalities must also submit a tuberculosis test result, depending on the visa. Your school, employer or the 1345 call center can tell you if this applies to you.
Photo rules
The Ministry of Justice photo rules are stricter than many home-country passport photos:
- Size 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, with your face taking up 2.5 to 3.5 cm of the height
- Plain or white background, no border
- Taken within the last 6 months, looking straight at the camera
- No sunglasses, hats or anything that covers part of your face (medical exceptions apply)
Some schools also reject a photo that is the same one used in your current passport. Take a new one to be safe.
Step by step
- Book a visit on HiKorea. Go to hikorea.go.kr and make a visit reservation (방문예약) at the immigration office that covers the address where you live. A reservation is required for most visits, so book as soon as you arrive.
- Prepare your documents and photo using the list above.
- Go to your appointment. The officer checks your documents, takes your fingerprints and confirms your photo. This is why registration cannot be done fully online.
- Pay the fee. You usually pay by buying a revenue stamp (수입인지) at the office. Bring a card or cash.
- Choose pickup or delivery. You can collect the card at the office later, or pay a small extra fee to have it mailed to you.
- Wait for the card. Many guides report about 2 to 4 weeks. It can take longer at the start of a semester, when many new students apply at once.
Show this: 외국인등록증 신청하러 왔어요. 예약했어요. (I'm here to apply for my Residence Card. I have a reservation.)
The fee went up in 2025
Many older guides still say the fee is ₩30,000. That is out of date.
| Fee | |
|---|---|
| Before January 1, 2025 | ₩30,000 |
| From January 1, 2025 | ₩35,000 |
The new cards have an IC chip that stores the personal identification number needed for the mobile Residence Card. If you already have an older card, you do not need to replace it until it expires or another reason comes up. If you choose to replace it anyway, you pay the new fee.
After you get your card
Registration is not a one-time task. Report these changes within 14 days:
- You move. Report your new address on HiKorea, at your local district office (구청) or community service center, or at immigration.
- Your passport changes (new number, issue date or expiry date).
- Your name, nationality or other personal details change.
- Students who change schools.
Late reports can lead to a fine. Keep your lease contract handy, because you will need it as proof of your new address.
FAQ
How long does it take to get an ARC in Korea? Plan on a few weeks after your appointment. One university that filed for its students as a group in early March expected cards in early May, so group applications can take longer.
Can I travel abroad before my ARC arrives? It depends on your visa and your re-entry status. Ask the immigration officer at your appointment or call 1345 before you book a flight.
What does the ARC number do? Your card has a foreign registration number. Banks, phone companies, hospitals and websites use it the way they use a Korean resident registration number.
Sources
- Ministry of Justice: Residence Card (외국인등록증) eligibility, documents and photo rules (Korean)
- Korea Immigration Service: Residence Card fee increase from January 1, 2025 (Korean)
- Kyung Hee University: Foreigner registration guide, 2025 fee and 14-day change reports (Korean)
- Incheon National University: 2026 group application notice (Korean and English)
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with HiKorea or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center before you apply.
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