{"id":50295,"date":"2023-04-14T15:00:55","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T14:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/?p=50295"},"modified":"2025-03-10T10:27:22","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T01:27:22","slug":"how-to-obtain-a-korean-residence-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-obtain-a-korean-residence-card\/","title":{"rendered":"How to obtain a Korean Residence Card (formerly known as ARC)"},"content":{"rendered":"
Last updated: March 10, 2025.<\/span><\/em><\/h6>\n

If you are in South Korea on a long-term visa, such as a study or work visa, you will need to apply for a Korean Residence Card, or formerly known as the Alien Registration Card (ARC). Here is how to apply for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are in Korea on a <\/span>visa other than a tourist visa<\/span><\/a>, within 90 days of your arrival you will be required to go through all the necessary procedures to obtain a Korean residence card (formerly called <\/span>ARC<\/b>). The Korean residence card acts as a kind of <\/span>identity card for foreigners<\/b> residing in the country and must always be carried with you. Let’s take a look at what it is.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Korean residence card?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Korean residence card is an <\/span>identity card<\/b> for foreigners residing in South Korea for <\/span>more than 90 days<\/b>. When <\/span>you have a long-term visa <\/b>(D-4 student visa and H-1 working holiday visa included), you should apply for it at the immigration office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a blue card which contains your main personal details, including a <\/span>registration number<\/b>. This number will be used by the Korean government to identify you. You will need to provide it to a potential employer for tax calculations, to the bank if you wish to open a Korean bank account, and to the hospital so that they can confirm if you are covered under the National Health Insurance (NHIS).<\/span><\/p>\n

The other data on the front side of the Korean residence card shows your surname and first name, country of origin, and the type of visa you hold. On the back it shows your period of stay with the expiry date of the visa and your address of residence. In the event of a <\/span>change of address<\/b>, you must notify the nearest resident registration centre (<\/span>\uc8fc\ubbfc\uc13c\ud130<\/span>, <\/span>juminsenteo<\/span><\/i>) or the Korean immigration office <\/span>within 14 days of moving<\/b> by presenting your residence card and a copy of the new rental contract.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you have the ARC, you will be able to enter and leave Korea for unlimited times as long as within your visa\u2019s validity period. However, you must be careful not to miss any school days, so we advise going outside Korea only during the school break period.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to apply for a Korean residence card<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Korean residence Card can be obtained by making an appointment through the <\/span>HiKorea website<\/span><\/a> and then visiting the <\/span>immigration office<\/b> that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. While making an appointment online, you should check the list of each immigration office’s jurisdiction area in order to choose the right one for your ‘gu’, or district.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you have made an appointment, you will have to go to the immigration office on the appointment day with the required documents, which vary depending on the visa you have.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a <\/span>student visa<\/span><\/a>, the <\/span>documents required<\/b> to obtain a Korean residence card are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n