- Available at administrative welfare centers in your registered district from February 28 and in all Korean municipalities from March 28 -
- Simple, streamlined ID verification with mobile phone, enhancing convenience for citizens -
The issuance of mobile resident registration cards has officially begun in Incheon.
The nationwide rollout began with a pilot program in December last year and has been implemented in phases, with full implementation set for March 28. As a second phase region, Incheon has allowed residents aged 17 and older to apply for and receive a mobile resident registration card at administrative welfare centers within their jurisdiction since February 28. Accordingly, the Incheon Metropolitan Government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) is actively promoting mobile resident registration cards to improve convenience for citizens.
<Nationwide Rollout Schedule for Mobile Resident Registration Cards>
* (Pilot Issuance, Dec. 27, 2024, onward): 9 local governments, including Sejong, Goyang (Gyeonggi-do), Yeosu (Jeollanam-do), and Gunwi (Daegu)
* (Nationwide Issuance – Phase 1, Feb. 14, 2025, onward): Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong, Gangwon-do, Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeju-do
* ((Nationwide Issuance – Phase 2, Feb. 28, 2025, onward) Incheon , Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do
* (Nationwide Issuance – Phase 3, Mar. 14, 2025, onward): Seoul, Busan, Gwangju
* (Full Nationwide Issuance, Mar. 28, 2025 onward): All local governments
On the first day of the second phase, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited the Nonhyeon 1-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Namdong-gu and personally obtained a mobile resident registration card.
The card has two issuance methods: the QR code and the IC card systems. The QR code method requires applicants to visit an administrative welfare center with a physical (plastic) resident registration card and scan a QR code for issuance. This method allows for immediate, free issuance. However, if the mobile phone is replaced or the app is deleted, the applicant must revisit the administrative welfare center for re-issuance.
The IC card method involves issuing a physical resident registration card embedded with an IC chip. By tapping the IC card against a smartphone, users can directly issue or reissue their mobile resident registration card. The first issuance of a resident registration card is free of charge. However, converting an existing physical resident registration card to an IC card requires a total fee of KRW 10,000: KRW 5,000 each for the IC chip and reissuing the physical card. Applicants must also provide a passport-style photo taken within the past six months.
To obtain a mobile resident registration card, applicants must install the “Korea Mobile ID” app on their smartphones. The mobile resident registration card is limited to a single smartphone and is valid for three years. After expiration, it can be reissued using the IC card or by visiting an administrative welfare center to obtain a new QR code.
The mobile version will also be deactivated if a physical resident registration card is reported as a lost item. If only the mobile phone or the mobile resident registration card is lost, the mobile card will be deactivated upon reporting it through the mobile ID system or a mobile carrier.
Until March 27, mobile resident registration cards can only be issued at administrative welfare centers in the applicant’s registered district. From March 28, issuance will be available at any administrative welfare center nationwide, regardless of the applicant’s place of residence.
Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, “The mobile resident registration card represents the first transformation of the national ID system in 56 years. It eliminates the inconvenience of carrying a physical card and significantly enhances convenience for citizens. We encourage more residents to take advantage of this service.”
