Alien Registration (New)

Last updated 2026-10-04

A foreigner who will stay in Korea for more than 90 days from the date of entry must complete alien registration at the immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay within 90 days of the date of entry. After registration, an alien registration number is assigned and a residence card is issued; the card issuance fee is 35,000 KRW.

At a glance

Deadline: to stay more than 90 days from the date of entry, register within 90 days of the date of entry.
A person who will stay more than 90 days after receiving a grant of status of stay or a permit to change status registers when receiving that permit.
Where: the immigration office, office or branch with jurisdiction over the place of stay.
Fee: 35,000 KRW for issuance of the residence card, paid in cash or with a voucher proving cash payment.

Who must register

A foreigner who wants to stay in Korea for more than 90 days from the date of entry.
Exempt: staff of foreign missions in Korea and international organizations and their families, persons enjoying privileges and immunities similar to diplomats under an agreement and their families, and persons invited by the government and others set by Ministry of Justice ordinance (items). They may still register within their period of stay if they wish.
Overseas Koreans (F-4) may file a domestic residence report under the Overseas Koreans Act instead of alien registration (if they do not, alien registration applies), and the HiKorea document guide also refers F-4 to the residence report.

Where to apply

Submit the alien registration application with your passport and other documents to the chief of the immigration office, office or branch with jurisdiction over the place of stay.
HiKorea states that the residence card is issued by the immigration office with jurisdiction over your address.
Check the competent office and make a visit reservation on HiKorea. Inquiries: 1345 (Immigration Contact Center / 외국인종합안내센터).

What to prepare

The alien registration application, your passport and other documents set by Ministry of Justice ordinance.
HiKorea common documents: passport (including copies of the personal data page and visa page), application form, 1 color photo, fee, and proof of place of stay (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, utility bill receipt, etc.).
Examples of extra documents by status (HiKorea): study (D-2) requires a certificate of enrollment; marriage migrant (F-6) requires the Korean spouse's marriage relationship certificate (detailed) and resident registration copy.
Documents the official can check through shared administrative information do not need to be submitted.
A person aged 17 or older who must register must provide biometric information (fingerprints, etc.).

Cost

Item	Statutory fee
Issuance of residence card	35,000 KRW
Payment method (immigration office)	Cash or a voucher proving cash payment

The rules have no separate fee item for the registration application itself; the set amount is the residence card issuance fee.
Alien registration is not on the list of online application reductions. HiKorea lists corporate investment (D-8) as exempt from the fee.

Procedure

Step 1: Check that you are within 90 days of the date of entry and prepare the extra documents for your status.
Step 2: Submit the application and your passport etc. to the competent office, and provide biometric information if you are 17 or older.
Step 3: Once registered, an alien registration number is assigned and entered in the register of registered foreigners.
Step 4: The residence card is issued. It may not be issued to a person under 17, in which case an alien registration number sticker is attached to the passport.

Common sticking points

The 90 days are counted from the date of entry. Violating the registration duty is punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to 10,000,000 KRW.
A person who did not receive a card because they were under 17 must apply for issuance within 90 days of turning 17 (application, passport, 1 photo); a violation is subject to a fine for negligence of up to 500,000 KRW.
If you refuse to provide biometric information, permits such as an extension of stay may be refused.
A registered foreigner must return the card when leaving Korea, but there are exceptions, such as leaving with a re-entry permit and coming back within its period.

This guide is general information and does not assess any individual case. Laws and fees can change, so check the original text via the official links and with the competent office.

Frequently Asked Questions

By when must I register after entering Korea?

To stay more than 90 days from the date of entry, you must register at the competent office within 90 days of the date of entry.

How much is the alien registration fee?

The residence card issuance fee is 35,000 KRW, paid in cash or with a voucher proving cash payment.

What should I bring?

The application, your passport and the documents set by Ministry of Justice ordinance. HiKorea lists 1 color photo, the fee and proof of place of stay such as a lease contract as common documents.

Do children also need to register?

Children under 17 must also register, but a card may not be issued; in that case a registration number sticker is attached to the passport. At 17 they must apply for the card within 90 days.

Do some people register when changing status?

A person who will stay more than 90 days after receiving a grant of status of stay or a permit to change status must register when receiving that permit.

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Check on the official sites

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