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When should a first-time applicant book an appointment for an ARC, and which basic documents are needed?
By Kapy editorial team
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By Kapy editorial team
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When should a first-time applicant book an appointment for an ARC, and which basic documents are needed?
The Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) is the official registration card for foreigners staying long-term in Korea. Based on HiKorea, any foreigner who intends to stay for more than 90 days from the date of entry into the Republic of Korea is subject to alien registration. If you have already been granted status of stay or received permission to change status of stay within Korea, you must complete alien registration at the time that permission is granted.
Applications are processed at the local immigration office (지방출입국·외국인관서) that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. Immigration offices (출입국·외국인관서) nationwide operate a visit reservation system, so for general residence-related civil services you should book a visit reservation in advance on HiKorea before going.
| Category | Whether alien registration is required | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Foreigner intending to stay over 90 days after entry | Required | Apply within 90 days of the date of entry |
| Foreigner granted status of stay or permission to change status | Required | Apply at the time the permission is granted |
| Short-term stayer of 90 days or less | Usually not required | If the purpose is a short-term stay, may not be subject to alien registration |
| Registration-subject person under 17 years of age | Exception possible | Registration required within 90 days from when the person turns 17 |
| Registration-exempt persons such as A-1, A-2, A-3 | Exception possible | Those performing diplomatic, official, or agreement duties may be exempt |
Among Canadian nationals, some statuses of stay for stays under 6 months (such as D-1, D-6, F-1, F-3, G-1) may fall under HiKorea's registration-exemption exceptions. Because whether an exception applies depends on the status of stay and the period of stay, check with 1345 or the competent immigration office (출입국·외국인관서).
| Situation | Application point |
|---|---|
| Intending to stay over 90 days after entry | Within 90 days of the date of entry |
| When granted status of stay or permission to change status within Korea | At the time that permission is granted |
The 90-day standard is counted from the "date of entry." Because reservation waits can grow longer depending on the start of the semester, peak entry season, and reservation availability by region, check whether a reservation is available as soon as your place of residence is decided.
Based on HiKorea's alien registration document-submission page, the common documents are as follows.
Examples of documents proving the place of stay include a lease agreement, a confirmation of accommodation provided, a notice of impending expiry of period of stay, and a public utility bill payment receipt. Whether they are actually accepted may differ depending on the case and the judgment of the competent office.
Visit Reservation (방문예약) menu, complete identity verification or log in.Visit reservations cannot be made for the same day of the visit; you can make a reservation starting from the day after the day you apply for the reservation. For foreigners staying abroad, it is noted that application and receipt are possible starting from the day after entry into the Republic of Korea. The reservation must be made using the applicant's own personal information; using another person's personal information such as their passport number or alien registration number to grab a reservation can become a legal problem.
Applying for the Alien Registration Card (ARC)
Requirements, accepted documents, fees, and outcomes can differ by person and responsible office. Confirm the current rule through the linked guide and the official agency.
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