Staying in Korea Long Term: Alien Registration Process and Required Documents

If you’re a foreigner planning to stay in South Korea for more than 90 days, you must complete alien registration within 90 days of arrival. This is an essential step to legally stay and live in South Korea. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process, what documents you’ll need, and what to expect. This article is part of a series of 24 articles in the Complete Guide to Living in South Korea for Foreigners.

Foreigner registration

Importance

This is required for all foreigners staying in South Korea for more than 90 days, and it will give you an Alien Registration Card. It is used as an identification card for the duration of your stay in Korea and can be used to open a bank account, purchase or subscribe to a cell phone, visit a hospital, and use a variety of other services for everyday needs. In addition, if you are granted a status of residence or change of status of residence during your stay in Korea, you will be required to register at the same time as you are granted a status of residence or change of status of residence.

Explore the Alien Registration Card

When you finalize the alien registration process, you receive the fWhen you finalize the alien registration process, you receive the following alien registration card.

On the front, it says

• Identification Card Names
  • (Korean) Alien Registration Card (English) RESIDENCE CARD
• Alien registration number: ○○○○○○-○○○○○○○
• Gender: M for male and F for female
• Name: English name on the passport
• Country/Region: Indicate your nationality in English
• Status of Residence: Indicate the status of residence according to Article 12 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act (Married Immigrant (F-6))
• Issuing organization: Indicate in Korean and English

Here’s what it says on the back

• Period of Stay
• Approval date: Date of approval for residence permit application, etc.
• Expiration date: Expiration date of the period of stay
  • If it is a permanent resident status (F-5), it is written as ‘expiration date’, and the expiration date is 10 years from the date of issuance.
• Confirmation: Indicate the permit office, but omit ‘Immigration and Foreign Affairs (Office)’ and indicate ‘Seoul’, ‘Busan’, etc.

Documentation

1. Passport (+original, photocopy)
2. Consolidated Application Form (Form No. 34 available at the Immigration and Refugee Affairs (Offices and Branches) Civil Affairs Section)
3. One passport-size photograph (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)
4. A natural-color, head-on photo of the face on a white background taken within the last 6 months
5. Registration certificate issuance fee of 30,000 won (cash)
6. Proof of residence
7. (Documents vary depending on your status of residence, so be sure to check with the Foreigner Information Center ☎1345)

Apply and issue

You can apply for and (re)issue an Alien Registration Card at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (office/branch office) in charge of your place of residence. It takes about 3 weeks from the date you apply for Alien Registration, and you can receive it in person at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (office/branch office) or at home using a courier service (prepaid).

Cautions

• The Alien Registration Card is an identification card that proves you are a foreigner, so you must carry it with you at all times, and you can be fined up to KRW 1,000,000 for violating the carrying obligation.
• Application deadline: You must complete your alien registration within 90 days of your arrival in Korea. If you miss the deadline, you may be fined.
• Provide accurate information: All information on your application must be accurate, and you may be held liable if you provide false information.
• Gather your documents: The documents you need may vary depending on your visa type and purpose of stay, so you should contact the immigration office in advance for an accurate list of documents.

Registering as a foreigner is the first step to a long-term stay in Korea. It allows you to legally stay in the country and access a variety of services. Make sure to prepare well in advance to ensure a smooth stay.