How to Get Your Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea (2026 Guide)
Documents Checklist: Alien Registration Card Korea by Visa Type
| Document | All applicants | E-2 (English instructor) | D-2 / D-4 (Student) | F-4 / F-6 (Overseas Korean / Marriage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport (original + photocopy) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Application form (collected at office) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passport-style photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm, color, white background) | ✓ (1 photo) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Proof of Korean address | ✓ (residential lease, employer or school letter, or official accommodation form) | ✓ (employer letter or lease) | ✓ (dormitory letter or lease) | ✓ |
| Application fee (around ₩35,000) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Employment contract + school business registration | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Health check (TB / HIV) from designated clinic | Required for E-2 and for nationals of 18 designated high-TB countries (see note below) | ✓ (mandatory) | Only if from a TB-listed country | Only if from a TB-listed country |
| University enrollment certificate | — | — | ✓ (from the university's international office) | — |
| Family documents | — | — | — | F-6: marriage certificate + Korean spouse's ID + family relation certificate. F-4: Korean heritage / family documents. |
| ⚠️ TB health check — 18 designated countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam. Children under 6 and pregnant women are exempt. Confirm the current list and which clinic to use at hikorea.go.kr or by calling 1345 (free, multilingual). | ||||
Table sources: Korea Immigration Service — HiKorea, Korea Immigration Service — immigration.go.kr, SeoulStart — ARC Registration Guide 2026, Korvia — ARC Guide 2026, Migaku — ARC Guide 2026 — as of June 2026; always confirm your specific requirements with your local immigration office.
How to Get Your Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea
Last updated: June 2026
Quick answer: The Alien Registration Card (ARC) — officially renamed the Residence Card in 2021, though both names are still widely used — is Korea's government-issued ID for foreigners staying more than 90 days. You must apply within 90 days of your entry date at your nearest immigration office. Book your appointment first through HiKorea, since walk-ins are not accepted at most offices. The fee is around ₩35,000 (as of 2025). Processing typically takes four to six weeks. Your application receipt, issued the same day you visit the office, includes your foreign resident registration number — you can use it for banking and other services right away, before the physical card arrives.
The ARC is the key to almost every practical necessity in Korea: opening a bank account, signing a phone plan, enrolling in national health insurance, and registering a lease all require one. Understanding the process before you land — or in your first few days — saves real time and stress later.
What is the Alien Registration Card in Korea?
The ARC is a plastic photo ID issued by the Korea Immigration Service. It contains your photo, name, nationality, date of birth, visa category, foreign resident registration number, and Korean address. That registration number is the thread that runs through almost all Korean bureaucracy: bank accounts, tax records, health insurance, and government services all link to it.
Since January 2025, all newly issued cards include an embedded IC chip and are eligible for the free Mobile Residence Card (digital version) via the official Mobile IDentification app (모바일 신분증). The digital version carries the same legal weight as the physical card and is accepted at banks, hospitals, and most public institutions.
Who needs to get one?
Any foreigner who stays — or plans to stay — in Korea for more than 90 consecutive days must register and obtain an ARC. This includes all work visa holders (E-series), student visa holders (D-series), and long-stay family or residency visa holders (F-series), among others. The rule applies whether you entered on a work visa directly or on a tourist-entry stamp and later changed your status inside Korea.
Exceptions: Holders of A-1 (diplomatic), A-2 (government), and A-3 (agreement-based) visas are exempt from registration.
How do I apply — step by step?
- Book an appointment online. Go to hikorea.go.kr (English-language interface available), create an account with your passport number, and reserve a slot at the immigration office for your area. Walk-ins are not accepted at most offices. Appointment slots in major cities can fill up well in advance — book in your first week in Korea even if the appointment itself is several weeks away. The 90-day deadline runs from your entry stamp, not from the date of your appointment.
- Prepare your documents. See the checklist table above for your visa type. Bring originals and at least one photocopy of everything — immigration staff may keep the copies.
- Have a health check if required. E-2 holders and nationals of the 18 designated high-TB countries listed in the table must have their health exam done at a government-designated hospital before or during the application process. The exam includes a chest X-ray and blood test and costs approximately ₩60,000 to ₩150,000 depending on the clinic.
- Visit the immigration office. Arrive around 15 minutes early. Take the numbered ticket marked "외국인등록" (foreign registration) when you enter. Staff will collect your biometrics — fingerprints and a digital photo.
- Pay the fee. The application fee is approximately ₩35,000 (as of 2025, per the Korea Immigration Service). Most offices accept both cash and card; bring both to be safe.
- Receive your receipt. The receipt issued on the day of your visit serves as interim ID and shows your foreign resident registration number. You can open a bank account and enroll in health insurance using this number without waiting for the physical card.
- Pick up your card. The office will send you an SMS when your card is ready — typically four to six weeks after submission. You can collect it in person or request mail delivery for a small additional fee. If you move before the card is posted, update your address to avoid it being sent to the wrong place.
The address proof challenge — what actually works?
Proof of Korean address is the document that catches most new arrivals off guard, because many Korean landlords require an ARC to sign a standard lease — yet the ARC application itself requires proof of address. Here is what works and what does not.
Accepted: A residential lease (임대차계약서) in your name; a letter from your employer confirming your accommodation; a university dormitory confirmation letter; an official accommodation confirmation form (거주/숙소 제공 확인서) from a goshiwon or serviced apartment operator — this form must be accompanied by a copy of the operator's ID and proof that they have the right to provide the housing (their own lease or building registry).
Often not accepted: Standard hotel receipts (hotels hold hospitality licenses, not residential licenses) and short-stay Airbnb bookings. Always ask the operator directly before booking whether they can issue the correct documentation. Co-living spaces and some goshiwon prepare ARC documentation packets specifically for this reason.
If you are staying with a Korean friend or family member, they can provide a written co-resident statement along with a copy of their Korean ID and their lease or building ownership document.
How long does processing take?
Processing typically takes four to six weeks from the date of your immigration office visit. During peak registration periods — particularly February and August through September, when new students and teachers arrive — expect potentially several additional weeks. Plan around this if you have time-sensitive tasks that require the physical card or your registration number.
The physical card's validity matches your visa's permitted period of stay (often one to several years) and must be renewed when you extend your visa. F-5 permanent resident cards are valid for 10 years.
What happens if I miss the 90-day deadline?
The 90-day clock starts from the entry stamp in your passport — not from the day you signed a lease or started work. Missing the deadline triggers an administrative fine. The following figures are the standard administrative-disposition guideline (applies to foreigners aged 17 or older); the Immigration Act caps the maximum at ₩1,000,000. Actual amounts are determined by immigration officers and may vary:
- Up to 3 months late: approximately ₩100,000
- 3 to 6 months late: approximately ₩200,000
- 6 to 12 months late: approximately ₩300,000
- More than 1 year late: approximately ₩500,000
Late registration can also complicate future visa renewals and extensions. If circumstances outside your control are pushing you close to the deadline — for example, you cannot secure housing documentation in time — contact the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 (free, multilingual) before the deadline, not after.
Fine amounts are based on immigration law resources as of 2025; confirm the current schedule at immigration.go.kr or via the 1345 hotline before relying on these figures.
What does the ARC (or your registration number) unlock?
Once you have your application receipt — which includes your registration number — you can start accessing services without waiting for the physical card:
- Korean bank accounts with online banking and debit or credit card eligibility
- National Health Insurance (NHIS) enrollment (mandatory for most long-stay visa holders after six months, and available earlier for those who opt in)
- Postpaid mobile phone contracts (prepaid SIMs work without an ARC; postpaid requires one)
- Standard residential leases and property-related transactions
- Tax registration and eligibility for certain government benefits
- Online identity verification for Korean government portals and many private services
The Mobile Residence Card (January 2025 update)
From January 2025, Korea's Ministry of Justice began issuing a free digital version of the Residence Card through the official Mobile IDentification app (모바일 신분증), available on iOS and Android. The mobile version has the same legal weight as the physical card and is accepted at most banks, hospitals, and government offices.
To activate it, you need to be aged 14 or over and have a postpaid Korean mobile phone plan. For cards issued after January 2025, you can activate the digital version by installing the app and tapping your physical card to your phone's NFC sensor. For cards issued before January 2025, visit your local immigration office, complete an integrated application form, and scan the QR code provided by staff; processing takes approximately two weeks.
Tips and pitfalls
Book your appointment in week one. Slots at major immigration offices fill up quickly, particularly between February and March and again between August and September. Neighborhood-level immigration counters at some district offices (구청) often have shorter wait times than the central city office.
Do not leave Korea during a pending application without checking first. Departing Korea mid-application typically cancels your application. If you must travel before your card is ready, notify the immigration office in advance before departure. They can advise on whether a short exit will cause problems.
Report address changes within 14 days. Once you have your ARC, any change of address must be reported at your local 주민센터 (community office) and to the immigration authority within 14 days. Missing this is a separate immigration violation.
If you are from a TB-listed country, confirm your clinic before the appointment. The health check must be done at a government-designated hospital. Call the clinic in advance to confirm costs, which documents to bring, and exactly which tests are required for your visa type. Results may take a few days, so schedule the exam early.
Bring originals and photocopies of everything. Immigration staff commonly retain photocopies of certain documents. Bringing extras saves a scramble to find a copy machine nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Alien Registration Card for a 90-day stay?
No. If your stay is 90 days or fewer, you are not required to register. The ARC requirement applies only to stays of more than 90 days. Short-stay visitors can obtain prepaid SIMs and use their passport for basic identification, though access to postpaid phone plans, full bank accounts, and other services will be limited without a registration number.
Can I use my registration number before the physical card arrives?
Yes. The application receipt you receive on the day of your immigration office visit includes your foreign resident registration number. Many banks and services accept this number right away, so you can open accounts and enroll in health insurance without waiting four to six weeks for the physical card.
What do I do if my ARC is lost or damaged?
Apply for re-issuance within 14 days of the loss or damage at your local immigration office. Bring your passport, a passport-style photo, and the replacement fee (₩35,000 as of January 2025; confirm the current amount at hikorea.go.kr). Most replacement cards are ready in approximately three to four days.
Sources: Korea Immigration Service — HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr), Korea Immigration Service — immigration.go.kr, SeoulStart — ARC Registration Guide 2026, Korvia — ARC / Residence Card Guide 2026, Trazy Blog — Residence Card Guide Seoul 2026, SharedHomies — How to Get a Korean ARC, Migaku — Alien Registration Card Korea 2026, All Visa Korea — Immigration Control Act Penalties, Corporate Immigration Partners — Mobile Residence Cards Korea (2025), Fakhoury Law Group — Korea TB Test Requirements — figures as of June 2026 and subject to change; verify the latest requirements on the official immigration portal before relying.
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