Your residence card (ARC)

The order

Before you fly

Get your photo and papers ready.

The day after you land

Book a visit on HiKorea. You can't book from abroad.hikorea.go.kr ↗

Visit day

Go to the immigration office with your papers and the fee.

Waiting

Stay in Korea until the card is out.law.go.kr ↗

Card day

Pick it up or get it by post, whichever your office offers.

Before you fly

When

Within 90 days of arriving, if you stay longer than 90 days.easylaw.go.kr ↗

Passport

The one you entered Korea with.easylaw.go.kr ↗

Photo

One colour photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm.easylaw.go.kr ↗

Photo tip

A plain white background is the safest choice.

Enrolment

A certificate of enrolment from your Korean university.easylaw.go.kr ↗

Address

Proof of where you live, such as your dorm confirmation or lease.easylaw.go.kr ↗

Health certificate

Bring one if your office asks for it.easylaw.go.kr ↗

Fee

The government fee for the card is ₩35,000.law.go.kr ↗

Group applications. Many universities collect these papers and apply for everyone. Check your school's guide before booking on your own. Find your school

Book your visit on HiKorea

Every immigration office works by booking. These are HiKorea's English screens.

1. Open HiKorea in English

   Go to hikorea.go.kr and tap ENGLISH at the top right. Then open Petition Application, Reserve Visit, Visit Reservation Application.

   

2. Book from the day after you land

   HiKorea's own rule: if you are abroad, booking opens the day after you enter Korea. Same-day slots exist, but the start of term is busy, so book on your first day.

   

3. Tick the box, then choose Non-member

   Scroll to the bottom, tick "I have read and understood the information above", then tap Visit Reservation Application (Non-member). You don't need an account.

   

4. Tap OK on the warning

   It reminds you to pick a date before your 90 days run out.

   

5. Use your visa number

   Choose the third tab, Identity Verification for Visa Issuance Number. Type the number at the top right of your visa (marked 1 in HiKorea's example), your name as it is on the visa, your birth date as 8 digits (for example 20040315) and the code in the picture.

   

   The passport tab doesn't work for people who live abroad, so use the visa tab.

6. Pick the office, the task and a time

   Choose the office for the area you live in, choose foreigner registration as the task, then pick a date and time.

7. Save the receipt

   Print or screenshot the reservation receipt and bring it on the day. To check or cancel later, use Reserve Visit Status (non-member). You can cancel up to one day before.

hikorea.go.kr ↗

While you wait

Trips abroad

Don't travel to other countries until your card is out. A single-entry visa works only once, so leaving early can stop you from coming back on it.law.go.kr ↗

Changes

Report a new address within 15 days of moving, at your local community centre or at immigration. Report a new passport to immigration within 15 days as well. Both are free.easylaw.go.kr ↗

Immigration helpline

Call 1345 with visa or residence card questions. It answers in English and other languages on weekdays from 9:00 to 22:00. From abroad, dial +82-2-1345.immigration.go.kr ↗