Reporting an Address Change

Moving apartments in Korea and forgetting the address report is one of the easiest ways for a foreigner to pick up a fine. Here is how to report a change of address in Korea, step by step, and what to bring so you only go once.

Why reporting your new address matters

If you are a registered foreign resident (you hold an ARC, the Alien Registration Card), the Immigration Act requires you to report a new address. According to the Study in Korea guide, which cites HiKorea, you must report within 15 days of moving in. Missing that window is a violation of Article 36 of the Immigration Act and may mean a fine of up to 1 million KRW.

The 15 days start on the day you move into the new place, not the day you sign the lease. Count weekends and holidays too. If you rented with a lease, check the move-in date written in the contract. I covered the lease side in my jeonse vs wolse guide.

A quick note: you may see “14 days” on some university and guide pages. The official Korean law text and government pages I checked say 15 days for most foreign residents. The 14-day figure applies to overseas Koreans (F-4) holding an Overseas Korean Resident Card, per the Hanam City English page. If in doubt, report early.

Where you can report your address change

You have three options, based on the Hanam City page and the Study in Korea guide:

• Your local community center (the dong office) for your new address.

• The district (gu) office that covers the new address.

• The immigration office with jurisdiction over the new address.

You can also apply online through HiKorea. The Hanam page says online applications take about 3 days, while in-person visits are handled immediately. It also lists the service charge as not applicable.

Jun’s tip: the community center is usually the easiest. Immigration offices work by appointment, and a dong office is usually the quicker stop. Call ahead to confirm they handle foreigner reports, and go in the morning to avoid the lunchtime rush.

What to bring

Based on the same official pages:

1. Your passport.

2. Your Alien Registration Card.

3. Proof of your new address, such as a lease contract, a confirmation letter from your accommodation provider, or a dormitory or utility payment receipt.

4. The application form (available at the counter, or filled in online).

If someone goes for you, they need a written power of attorney, their own ID, and documents proving their relationship to you, plus your proof of address. For applicants under 17, parents may apply on their behalf.

Jun’s tip: take photos of your contract’s first page and the page showing the move-in date before you leave home. If the officer asks a question, you can answer without digging through a folder.

Step-by-step: report your new address in person

1. Move in and note the date.

2. Within 15 days, gather the documents above.

3. Go to the community center, district office, or immigration office for your new address.

4. Hand over your ARC, passport, proof of address, and form.

5. Wait for the officer to update your records. The Immigration Act says the office writes the new address on your registration card and returns it to you, so check the card before you leave.

What if you are past 15 days?

Don’t panic, but don’t wait. A fine may be imposed once the deadline passes, and some district offices say late reports go to the immigration office only, so ask first. Book a visit through HiKorea and bring a short explanation. Do not skip it hoping nobody notices: your address on file also matters when you extend your stay or change status.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Counting from the lease signing date. The clock runs from the day you actually move in.

• Forgetting the card. The office needs your ARC to update it, so a passport alone is not enough.

• Assuming your landlord or employer does it. The duty is yours as the registered resident, so confirm it is done and ask for proof.

Checklist before you go

• Move-in date confirmed
• Passport and ARC in your bag
• Lease or other proof of address
• Application form filled in
• Within 15 days of moving

Next up and your turn

Once your address is sorted, next time I’ll walk through how to set up utilities and a home internet plan in Korea without speaking Korean.

Rules change, so I checked this against official sources in October 2026. Confirm the latest details on HiKorea or by calling 1345 before you go.