How to Get Your ARC in Korea

You landed in Korea, the jet lag is fading, and then someone at work or school asks: “Did you get your ARC yet?” Here’s the catch nobody tells you on the plane: the clock started the day you entered the country. If you’re staying more than 90 days, you have 90 days to register, and almost everything else in Korean life (bank account, phone plan, lease) is easier with the card in your hand.

This guide walks you through getting your ARC in Korea step by step: who needs one, what to bring, how to book, what happens at the immigration office, and what to do after. I’m Jun, a Seoul local, and every step below is checked against official government sources. One missing document can cost you a second trip, so let’s get it right the first time.

What is an ARC (and why it’s now called a Residence Card)

ARC stands for Alien Registration Card. The official English name today is Residence Card, “formerly known as Alien Registration Card,” as the Working Holiday Info Center run by Korea’s foreign ministry puts it. Most foreigners, banks and landlords still say “ARC,” so you’ll hear both.

According to that same page, you’ll need the card for many everyday things, including:

• opening a bank account

• getting a mobile phone plan

• signing a lease

• working legally in Korea

In other words: get this done first, and the rest of your setup gets much easier.

Who needs an ARC, and the 90-day deadline

The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s 2026 Guidebook for Living in Seoul is clear on the timing:

• Staying 91 days or more: register within 90 days of your date of entry.

• Granted a status of stay, or a change of status, while already in Korea: register immediately after you get that permission.

Don’t treat “90 days” as “plenty of time.” Booking a slot, gathering documents and fixing anything you forgot can easily eat a few weeks.

Step 1: Gather your documents

The Seoul guidebook lists the core set you submit to the immigration office:

1. Application form (Foreign Resident Registration). Offices have it on site, but filling it out in advance saves time.

2. Your passport.

3. One color photo, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm. The MOFA page specifies a plain white background.

4. Documents for your visa type (for example, a certificate of enrollment for students, or employment documents for workers).

5. Fee: 35,000 KRW (effective January 1, 2025, per the Seoul guidebook).

Many visa types also need proof of where you live, such as your housing contract. The MOFA page lists a housing contract for working holiday visa holders, and the exact list varies by visa, so check your own status on HiKorea or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 before you go.

Jun’s tip: Make one photocopy of everything, including your passport photo page and your lease. You may not need them, but if you do, the copy machine queue is the last place you want to be. Also note that the MOFA page lists the fee as “35,000 KRW cash” for working holiday applicants, so carrying the exact amount in cash is a cheap insurance policy.

Step 2: Book a visit on HiKorea

You can’t just walk in. Both the Seoul guidebook and the MOFA page say you must reserve a visit in advance through the Hi Korea website. On HiKorea:

1. Open the visit reservation page.

2. Choose the immigration office that covers your address. You register at the office with jurisdiction over where you live, not the one closest to your office or campus.

3. Pick the service for foreign resident registration and an open date and time.

4. Save or screenshot your confirmation.

Not sure which office covers you? MOFA’s advice is simple: call 1345 (no area code needed inside Korea). It’s the multilingual Immigration Contact Center.

Jun’s tip: Book the moment you have your lease or proof of address. The earliest open slot may not be this week, and the 90-day clock doesn’t pause while you wait for a slot.

Step 3: Visit the immigration office

Heads-up for Seoul: from October 19, 2026 the Seoul Immigration Office moves to 55 Jeongui-ro, Songpa-gu (near Munjeong Station, Line 8, Exit 4), and the old Mok-dong building stops handling cases. Details and directions in my Seoul Immigration Office move guide.

On the day, arrive a little early with your full document set. According to MOFA, the officer will review your papers, take your fingerprints, and give you a receipt showing when you can pick up your card. Keep that receipt safe; it’s your proof that you applied.

Step 4: Wait, then pick up your card

How long does it take? The official sources give slightly different numbers: the MOFA page says it “usually takes 3 weeks,” while the Seoul guidebook says about four weeks. Plan for roughly three to four weeks and you won’t be disappointed.

You can receive the card in person at the office where you applied or by mail, per the Seoul guidebook. If you choose mail, double-check the address on your form; a typo here means a second trip.

After you get your card: three things to remember

1. Moved? Report it within 15 days. Under Article 36 of the Immigration Act, registered foreigners must report a new address within 15 days of moving in (some older pages still say 14, so don’t cut it close). There’s no fee, and you can do it in person (immigration office or your local community service center) or online through HiKorea. Full steps in my address change guide.

2. Other details changed? MOFA notes that changes to your name, passport number, passport validity and similar details also need to be reported within 14 days.

3. Watch the expiry. The Seoul guidebook says the card is valid until your permitted period of stay ends, and it must be renewed or updated before then. Put that date in your phone calendar today.

Quick checklist

• Entry date noted, 90-day deadline in my calendar
• Passport
• One 3.5 × 4.5 cm color photo, white background
• Visa-specific documents + proof of address
• 35,000 KRW (cash to be safe)
• HiKorea reservation at the office covering my address
• Receipt kept after fingerprinting
• Pickup or mail address double-checked

## Final thoughts

Getting your ARC in Korea isn’t hard, but it is unforgiving about details: the right office, the right photo size, the right documents for your visa. Book early, bring copies, and you’ll walk out with a receipt on the first try.

Once your card arrives, the next big step is money. In my next post, I’ll cover opening a Korean bank account as a foreigner. And if you haven’t set up your phone yet, start with my list of 10 Korean apps every foreigner in Seoul needs.

Rules and fees can change. This post was checked against official sources in October 2026; always confirm the latest on HiKorea or by calling 1345.