How to get Foreign Registration Card in Korea?

What’s Foreign Resident Registration in Korea?

Did you know that even if you get a long-term visa in Korea, you have to do Foreign Resident Registration if you plan to stay for more than 90 days?

Foreign Resident Registration is a process for you planning to stay in Korea for over 90 days. You apply with the Korean government to get a Foreigner Registration Card, which allows you to stay legally.

In this post, we’ll go over how to do Foreign Resident Registration, when you need the Foreign Registration Card, and how to return it when you’re leaving. Let’s dive into all the details!

Why You need a Foreign Registration Card

In Korea, getting a Foreign Registration card is mandatory, when you’re staying long-term, you’ll need a Foreign Registration Card for a lot of things.

For example, you’ll need it to prove your identity in Korea, get various official documents, do banking, or use hospitals and public services.

When should you apply for the Foreign Resident Registration?

You have to apply within 90 days of arriving in Korea.

If you don’t do that, you could run into legal trouble. So, if you’re staying more than 90 days, make sure you apply as a foreigner.

Let’s go over how to do Foreign Resident Registration in detail.

First, if you plan to stay in Korea for more than 90 days, you must apply within 90 days of your arrival.

Here’s how to do it:

1. To apply, you need to visit an Immigration Office. The key thing is you must book an appointment online before you go. (You can’t visit without an appointment.)
   
2. So, before your visit, go to the HiKorea, make an appointment, and bring your reservation confirmation with you.
   
3. Before visiting, prepare the required documents. The documents vary depending on your visa type. You can check the specific documents needed for each visa type on the HiKorea website.
   Common documents include:
   • Passport
   • Application form (you can download it from the above link.)
   • Fee (The fee depends on the type of visa.)
   • One color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
   • Proof of residence (rental contract, accommodation confirmation, etc.)
     
4. To sum up, make an online appointment, prepare your documents, and visit the office.
   (The most important thing is that you have to go yourself.)

The registration process usually takes about 3 hours at most.

However, you won’t get the Foreign Registration Card immediately. It takes a few days.

You can either pick up your card later or have it delivered by courier.

How to Reissue Your Foreign Registration Card

If your Foreign Registration Card is worn out or lost, you need to get it reissued. Here’s how you do it.

Documents Needed:

• Passport
• Application form
• Proof of loss (if lost)
• One color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
• If you’re just replacing the card and not because it’s lost, you need to return your old card.
• Fee

Once you have all the required documents, make an online appointment at the local Immigration Office, just like when you first got the card. Then, visit the office to apply for reissue.

Why and When to Return Your Foreign Registration Card

Your Foreign Registration Card is your ID while living in Korea, so you need to carry it with you all the time. However, there are times when you need to return it, and it’s important to do so on time.

When to Return Your Foreign Registration Card

Here are the main times you need to return your card:

1. When you’re leaving Korea
2. When you obtain Korean citizenship

So, when should you return it?

If you’re leaving Korea permanently, you can return it at the airport.

If you’ve gained Korean citizenship and no longer need the card, return it along with your proof of loss of foreign nationality.