Immigration
1. Immigration Contact Center 1345
What is the Immigration Contact Center?
Multilingual service information desk providing counseling and administrative information notices required for foreigners residing in Korea to adapt
How to use this service?
Just call 1345
From abroad, dial 82-1345 or 82-2-6908-1345-6
Fax 1577-1346 or 02-2650-4550
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Counseling time: Daytime 09:00 - 18:00 (20 languages including Korean, English, and Chinese)
Nighttime 18:00 - 22:00 (counseling notices in Korean, Chinese, and English)
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Multi-lingual counseling: After dialing 1345 without the area code, press the number for the desired language according to the ARS and press *to proceed with counseling in the relevant language
*20 languages
Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Mongolian, Indonesian, French, Bengali (Bangladesh), Urdu (Pakistan), Nepali, Khmer (Cambodia), Burmese, German, Spanish, Tagalog (Philippines), Arabic, and Sinhalese (Sri Lanka)
What kind of help can i get from the Immigration Contact Center?
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Immigration service counseling and daily convenience info for foreigners staying in Korea
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Third-party interpretation services for central administrative organizations, local governments, public institutions, and non-profit private organizations
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Third-party interpretation services for the village lawyer system for foreigners
2. Immigration Offices
Immigration Offices handle immigration affairs for foreigners in Korea, including entry into Korea, staying in Korea, and visa issues. The first step is to find out which immigration office has jurisdiction over your domicile. After preparing the required documents for your immigration matter, make a reservation via the Hi Korea website (www.hikorea.go.kr) before your visit.
Jurisdiction of Seoul
Office name
Jurisdiction
Address
Seoul
Immigration Office
Gwanak-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Gangnam-gu, Gangdong-gu, Dongjak-gu, Songpa-gu, Seongdong-gu, Seocho-gu, Yongsan-gu, Seongnam-si, Hanam-si, Gwacheon-si
151 Mokdongdong-ro,
Yangcheon-gu, Seoul
Seoul
Immigration Office
Sejongno Branch
Jongno-gu, Jung-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Jungang-gu, Dobong-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Nowon-gu
38 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Seoul Global Center Building (2F, 3F)
Seoul Southern
Immigration Office
Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu, Gangseo-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu
48 Magokseo 1-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
3. Visas
A foreigner who visits the Republic of Korea shall have a visa suitable for his/her purpose of visit, such as work, travel, or study. The visa shall be attached to his/her passport. Even if you have a visa, you may still not be permitted to enter the Republic of Korea.
1. Visa types by status of stay
Diplomat (A-1), Foreign Government Official (A-2), Conventions/Agreements (A-3), Short-term Employee (C-4), Professor (E-1), Foreign Language Instructor (E-2), Researcher (E-3), Technical Instructor/ Technician (E-4), Professional (E-5), Artist (E-6), Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7), Non-professional (E-9), Crew Employee (E-10), Working Holiday (H-1), Work and Visit (H-2), Short-term News Coverage (C-1), Short-term General (C-3), Korean Arts and Culture (D-1), Study (D-2), Industrial Trainee (D-3), General Trainee (D-4), Long-term News Coverage (D-5), Religious Worker (D-6), Intra-company Transfer (D-7), Investment (D-8), International Trade (D-9), Family Visitor or Dependent Family (F-1), Residence (F-2), Accompanying Spouse/Child (F-3), Overseas Korean (F-4), Permanent Resident (F-5), Marriage Migrant (F-6), Miscellaneous (G-1)
2. How to apply for a visa
■Where to apply for and receive a visa: Embassies or Consulates of the Republic of Korea
→In certain cases, immigration offices or their branch offices (Sejongno, Ulsan, Donghae and Sokcho) may issue a confirmation (or confirmation number) of visa issuance.
■Required documents : Passport, visa application form, and other documents required for the status of stay (Visit www.hikorea.go.kr for further information).
■Fee: Fees may vary depending on the length of stay, generally ranging from $40 to $90.
4. Staying in Korea
You can file an e-application or make a reservation (required) for a visit via Hi Korea, the e-government system for foreigners.
You cannot make a reservation for a same day visit. In cases of requesting permission for an extension of your stay, you may make a reservation for a visit no earlier than four months prior to the expiration date of your stay. Reservations may be canceled up until the precious day.
Hi Korea @ www.hikorea.go.kr
1. Length of stay
Short-term stays: 90 days or less/ Long-term stays: 91 days or longer/ Permanent: No limitations
※In the case of long-term and permanent stays, you will need to file as an alien or report your domestic place of residence within 90 days from the date of entry.
2. Programs for foreigners who have just entered Korea
The Republic of Korea provides a variety of programs to help foreigners adjust to Korea. To learn more or join a program, visit the Immigration & Social Intergration Network of the Ministry of Justice website (www.socinet.go.kr).
■Early Social Adjustment Program
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Scope: Foreigners legally staying in Korea for the purpose of long-period stay
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Duration: 2-3 hours
■Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP)
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Intended for: Immigrants and foreigners who intend to settle down in Korea
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Curriculum: Korean language and culture → Introductory course: 15 hours/ Level 1-4: 100 hours each
Understanding of Korean Society → Levels 1-5: 70 hours for the basic course, 30 hours for the advanced course -
Application instructions: Apply through the immigration & Social Integration Network of the Ministry of Justice (www.socinet.go.kr)
3. Other information
Type
Subject
Application Period
Application
Process
Extension
of Stay
Foreigners who intend to stay in the Republic of Korea beyond the permitted period of stay
An applicant shall apply for an extension of stay within the period four months prior to the expiration date of the stay
Change
in Status
of Stay
Foreigners who intend to stop the activity corresponding to their current status of stay and engage in any other activity corresponding to another status of stay
An applicant of his/her authorized representative shall submit the required documents for the status of stay to the immigration Office having jurisdiction over his/her address.
Before an applicant engages in any other activity corresponding to another status of stay, he/she shall obtain permission to change status of stay at the immigration office having jurisdiction over his/her address
Those who have lost their Korean nationality or were born in the Republic of Korea, or foreigners who had stayed in the Republic of Korea without a status of stay and have later obtained a new status of stay
Acquisition
of Status
of Stay
An applicant shall apply for a status of stay within 30 days from date on which the grounds for acquisition of the status of stay occurs.
If a foreigner who should obtain a status of stay departs from the Republic of Korea within 30 days from the date on which such grounds occurs, he/she may depart without obtaining the status of stay.
(Those born in Korea shall apply for a status of stay within 90 days.
5. Alien Registration
1. Applicable persons
A foreigner who intends to stay in the Republic of Korea for a period of time exceeding 90 days shall be issued and alien registration card. A foreigner who has completed alien registration becomes entitled to health insurance benefits, and his/her children may enter a Korean or international school. Foreigners shall carry their alien registration card at all times.
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Foreigners who intend to stay in the Republic of Korea for 91 days or longer
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Those who have lost their Korean nationality and have obtained a foreign nationality
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Foreigners born in the Republic of Korea who intend to stay in Korea for more than 91 days from the date on which they obtained a status of stay
※The old alien registration card issued according to previous regulations is valid until reissued
※Individuals exempt from alien registration
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Diplomat (A-1), Foreign Government Official (A-2), Conventions/Agreements (A-3) visa holders and their families
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Canadian citizens who intend to stay in the Republic of Korea for less than six months and engage in any activity corresponding to any of the following statuses of stay: Korean Arts and Culture (D-1), Religious Worker (D-6), Family Visitor or Dependent Family (F-1), Accompanying Spouse/Child (F-3), Miscellaneous (G-1)
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Those who engage in important diplomatic, industrial, or national security affairs, their families, and foreigners for whom it is specifically deemed necessary by the Minister of Justice to be excluded from alien registration
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Registered foreigners below 17 years old (alien registration is required within 90 days of turning 17 years old)
2. Registration period
■Foreigners who intend to stay in the Republic of Korea for 91 days or more
: Within 90 days from the date of entry
■Foreigners who have been granted a status of stay or obtained permission to change the status of stay
: Immediately after the applicant obtains permission
3. Registration procedure and receiving your alien registration card
An alien registration applicant shall submit the following documents to the immigration office having jurisdiction over his/her address or its branch office.
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Alien registration application form, passport, one color photograph (3.5cm x 4.5cm), required documents for the status of stay, and 30,000 won for fees, residence certification documents (lease agreement, confirmation letter accommodations provision, notice of expiration of period of stay, public utility bill payment receipt, etc.)
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The term of validity for alien registration is one year, and shall be renewed before it expires.
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You may receive an alien registration card in person at the immigration office or branch office where you filed the application, or by mail. It will take about four weeks to receive your card.
※You will need to make a reservation in advance via the Hi Korea website (www.hikorea.go.kr) before you visit the immigration office. Documents for alien registration can be checked through the Hi Korea website or the Immigration Contact Center (1345 Call Center)
4. Reporting obligations
Foreigners are obligated to report on the following matters. Failure to report may result in a penalty, fine, or prosecution/legal punishment.
※Obligation to report changes in alien registration information
A foreigner who has filed for alien registration shall report changes in registered matters to the immigration office, if any of the following matters changes.
■Alien registration (within 90 days)
■Reporting a change of domicile (within 15 days, within 14 days for F-4)
If the residence of a registered foreigner (including foreigners living in residence) is changed, this should be reported to the relevant district of immigration, foreigner office, or eup·myeon·dong community center within 15 days
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Required documents: Passport, Alien registration card, form to report on a change in domicile, and documents providing in domicile
■Reporting a change of registered information (within 15 days)
Registered foreigners should report the changed information within 15 days to the immigration office or foreigner office (report within 45 days for changed passports)
- Name, gender, date of birth, nationality
- Passport number, issue date, expiration date
- Change of associated organization or institution (including change of name)
- Attendance to school, occupation, annual income
- Start or change of employment for Visiting Employment (H-2)
- Change of starting training or name of training institution for Employment (D-10) (report of internship)
■Extension of departure or stay period or change of qualification before the stay period is extended
■Leaving the country or assigning qualification within 90 days of birth of child
■Declaration of changed employment (within 15 days)
Employers employing foreigners with residence qualification for employment activities must report within 15 days of a specific event*
*If a foreigner gets fired, retires, or dies, if the whereabouts of the employed foreigner are unknown, if important contents of the employment contract have been changed
■International students' obligation to report
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If the following cases occur, the head of the school where the foreign exchange student or language trainee attends must report to the director of Immigration Office or branch manager within 15 days
- If a foreign student who has received admission or training permit fails to register within the regulated registration deadline every semester or takes a leave of absence
- If the foreign student ends his/her studies or the training ends due to reasons including expulsion, suspended training, or disappearance
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How to report
- Report the cause of change in the employed or studying foreigner through the International Student Info System -
A fine is imposed if the event is not reported within 15 days of knowing the fact
■Obligation to surrender an alien registration card
If falling under any of the following cases, a foreigner's alien registration card shall be surrendered to the immigration office.
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Reasons for surrendering of alien registration card
- If the registered foreigner completely leaves the Republic of Korea
- If the registered foreigner renounces his/her nationality and acquires the nationality of the Republic of Korea;
- If the registered foreigner becomes deceased;
- If the registered foreigner is exempted from alien registration. -
When to surrender
- If leaving permanently, when the foreigner departs the Republic of Korea for good (can be done at the airport)
- If the registered foreigner has acquired the nationality of the Republic of Korea, within 30 days from the date of acquisition of Korean nationality. In this case, he/she shall submit documents proving his/her acquisition of Korean nationality, as well as loss of foreign nationality.
- If the registered foreigner becomes deceased, his/her alien registration card shall be surrendered with a death certificate, a post-mortem examination report, or other documents proving his/her death within 30 days from the date on which his/her death is confirmed.
※ A fine is imposed if the alien registration card is not returned within the deadline.
■Obligation to surrender an alien registration card
If a national of a high-risk TB country applies for a visa in his/her country, or applies for a change in the status of stay or an extension of stay in Korea, he/she shall submit a TB test report. A-1, A-2, and A-3 visa holders and children under the age of six are exempted. You can get a TB test at a community health center. The term of validity for a TB test report is three months.
※High-risk TB countries
Nepal, East Timor, Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Pakistan, Philippines, Laos, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Angola, Peru, Papua New Guinea
6. Overseas Koreans
"Overseas Korean" include Korean nationals residing abroad and foreign-nationality Koreans. A Korean national residing abroad is a national of the Republic of Korea who has acquired the right of permanent residence in a foreign country or is residing in a foreign country with a view to living there permanently. A foreign-nationality Korean is a person meeting certain conditions who, having held the nationality of the Republic of Korea or as a lineal descendant of such a person, has acquired the nationality of a foreign country. Those who stay abroad for a short period of time are not deemed overseas Koreans.
1. issuance of resident registration certificate of Korean nationals residing abroad
Refers to the issuance of registration card with the indication "Overseas Korean" for registered Republic of Korea citizens who have obtained permanent green cards abroad or who are moving overseas after Jan. 22, 2015.
Even though the holder of a resident registration certificate for Korean nationals residing abroad moves abroad, his/her resident registration status is maintained. With a resident registration certificate, he/she may engage in economic activities, including financial activities and real estate transactions, as a national of the Republic of Korea.
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Scope and contents of issuance
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Report to the eup, myeon, and dong of residence if the overseas Korean enters or leaves Korea for the purpose of staying for 30 days of longer in Korea or abroad
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Anyone with resident registration 17 years old or older can receive an issuance
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Issuance can be applied for after reporting residence registration or moving overseas at the eup-myeon office or dong resident center
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Document required
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Copy of overseas Korean registration or copy of residence passport, and 1 photo to issue a resident registration card
2. Declaration of Overseas Korean (F-4) residence
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Period of declaration
For those wishing to stay in Korea for more than 91 days from the date of entering Korea after receiving an issued Overseas-based Korean (F-4) certificate, the domestic residence declaration must be made at the district immigration or foreigner office within 90 days.
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How to report
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Visit the district immigration office or foreigner office (prior reservation required on the Hi Korea website)
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Electronic service on the Hi Korea website, etc.
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Required documents
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Integrated application form, passport and report card of the domestic place of residence, residence certificate
※ If domestic residence change is not declared, he/she may face a fine of up to 2,000,000 won.
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Reporting on change in domestic place of residence
If the residence is changed, the change of residence must be declared within 14 days of the change of residence by visiting the district immigration center, foreigner office, or si·gun·gu or eup·myeon·dong Administrative Welfare Center.
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Return of report card of the domestic place of residence
The report card of the domestic place of residence must be returned to the district immigration office or foreigner office in the following cases
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If the overseas-based Korean becomes a citizen
- Within 30 days of completing resident registration -
If the overseas-based Korean loses his/her qualification of Overseas-based Korean (F-4) residence
- Within 30 days of finding out the loss of Overseas-based Korean (F-4) residence qualification -
When changing to other residence qualification
- If permit is received to change to the relevant residence qualification -
Within 30 days of finding out the death of an overseas-based Korean in Korea
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If the overseas-based Korean leaves Korea without any intention of reentering Korea within the period of Overseas-based Korean (F-4) residence qualification
※ If the report card of the domestic place of residence is not returned, a fine of up to 1,000,000 won is imposed.
7. Departures
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A foreigner with a valid passport may freely depart the Republic of Korea. However, a suspected criminal may be detained in or deported from the Republic of Korea. A foreigner who intends to depart from the Republic of Korea beyond the permitted period of stay shall go through certain procedures at the immigration office.
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A foreigner who departs from the Republic of Korea permanently shall return his/her alien registration card during the departure inspection. A foreigner whose departure is prohibited may be subject to a restricted status of stay and scope of activities. A foreigner who still stays in the Republic of Korea after the deadline for departure may be deported or subject to criminal penalties. A foreigner subject to a departure prohibition order may file a written objection with the Ministry of Justice within 10 days after receipt of the departure prohibition order.
※Call 1345 or visit the Hi Korea website (www.hikorea.go.kr) for further details.
*Source: Seoul Life Guide
(Seoul Metropolitan Government),
Seoul Foreigner Portal