mail
Definition of Foreign Registration
A foreigner who wants to stay in Korea for longer than 90 days must register at the district or branch office with jurisdiction over his/her place of sojourn within 90 days from the date of arrival.
The aim of the foreign registration system is to provide for the clear and effective management of foreigners' stay and identification.
The Object of Foreign Registration
Foreigners who want to stay in Korea for more than 90 days are required to register.
Foreigners should register in any of the following circumstances:
A foreigner wishes to stay in Korea beyond 90 days from the date of entry
A foreigner wishes to stay in Korea beyond 90 days from the date of obtaining the status of sojourn owing to birth; or, a Korean wishes to stay in Korea beyond 90 days after obtaining the citizenship of another country and renouncing his/her Korean nationality
A foreigner has obtained permission for a change of sojourn status, and desires to stay in Korea more than 90 days beyond the date of entry.
The following classes of foreigners are exempt from the need for foreign registration.
A-1: Diplomatic missions of countries recognized by the Korean Government, consular officers assigned to represent their countries in Korea, foreigners granted privileges equal to diplomatic mission in accordance with a treaty or internationally accepted norms and practices, and the immediate families of any of these.
A-2: Foreigners who are carrying out official service on behalf of countries or international organizations recognized by the Republic of Korea, and their immediate families.
A-3: Foreigners who are exempt from foreign registration, or who are deemed necessary to exempt from it according to an agreement with the Republic of Korea, and their immediate families.
Foreigners who are engaged in critical diplomatic, industrial and national defense services, and who are deemed necessary to exempt from foreign registration by the Minister of Justice.
Canadian nationals who wish to stay in Korea no longer than 6 months, with the status of D-1 (culture/art), D-6 (religious workers), F-1 (visiting and joining family members), F-3 (dependent family members), or G-1(other)
Application
Application for foreign registration must be made:
Within 90 days from the date of arrival for foreigners who desire to stay in Korea more than 90 days (Article 31-1), or
On the spot when a foreigner is permitted to acquire status of sojourn or change a status of sojourn.
※ Attention! Foreigners who fail to file the appropriate application will be penalized.
Application Places
For foreign registration, the applicant should visit, in person, the district or branch office with jurisdiction over his/her place of residence.
::: Directory of District Immigration Office:::
Required Documents
Passport or entry permit
Application form (PDF)
3 color photos (3㎝ × 4㎝)◎ Fee (10,000 won)
Other required documents
In addition to the above documents, some additional documents may be required, according to visa status:
For a foreigner with D-3-1 status (technical internship): copies of certificate of medical examination (issued by a Korean hospital) and accident insurance
For a foreigner with D-3-2 status (trainee): copies of certificate of medical examination (issued by a Korean hospital) and accident insurance or workmen's accident compensation insurance
For a foreigner with E-6 status (arts and entertainment): a copy of a certificate of a medical examination for AIDS (issued by an internal hospital)
Foreign Registration for dependants
Foreigners under 17 years of age are allowed to apply on the same certificate of foreign registration as his/her parents, or by proxy. (This is optional; independent certification is also possible.)
For foreign registration, the applicant should visit, in person, the district or branch office with jurisdiction over his/her place of residence.
::: Directory of District Immigration Office:::
Other
Fingerprinting: Foreigners who fall under any of the following categories shall have their fingerprints taken on the registration card and fingerprint card, in accordance with the provisions of the Presidential Decree.
| Object of Fingerprinting | The Time |
|---|---|
| Any foreigner applying for foreign registration who is over 20 years of age. (However, this provision shall not apply to foreigners whose sojourn period is less than one year from the date of entry, or the date of obtaining the status of sojourn.) |
When a foreigner applies for foreign registration. When a foreigner obtains permission to stay for over 1 year. Within 60 days from the date of his/her 20th birthday. |
| Any detained foreigner | When an immigration officer issues a detention order. |
| Any foreigner who is ordered to be deported | When an immigration officer issues a departure order. |
Under this Law, the chief of a district or branch office may refuse to grant permission, such as permission for extension of sojourn period, to any foreigner who refuses to give his/her fingerprints.
Certificate of Foreign Registrations & Certificate of Registration of Real Estate
These certificates can be issued by a district or branch office near your place of residence.
Applicant: ID card is required
Proxy
Relative: an ID card and documents showing the relationship with the applicant are required
Person concerned: an ID card and documents showing the reason concerned are required
