The following guide is for individuals trying to apply for their residence card (formerly known as Alien Registration Card or ARC) in Korea. This process should be done as soon as possible once you have arrived in Korea.
What is a Residence Card?
An Alien Registration Card (ARC) is now referred to as the Residence Card. It is a crucial identification card for foreigners in Korea, functioning as both a social security number and ID card. A residence card is essential for signing up for services like mobile phone plans, internet, banking, and even health insurance and pension enrollment.
You must apply for a residence card within 90 days of your arrival in Korea.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to successfully register for your residence card:
STEP 1: Complete a medical examination at a designated E2 visa hospital within 90 days of your arrival in Korea. Make sure the exam includes tests for tuberculosis and HIV. You can find a list of E2 medical exam hospitals here.
STEP 2: Make an appointment to visit the immigration office that handles your district at www.hikorea.go.kr.
STEP 3: Visit the immigration office on the reserved date with the required documents (see the list below). You can opt to have your residence card mailed to you for a small additional fee.
STEP 4: Submit the documents to the immigration officer. Once submitted, the process may take up to 6 weeks.
STEP 5: Receive your residence card by mail or visit the immigration office to pick it up once you’re notified it’s ready.
Required Documents
| Required Documents |
|---|
| Residence Card Application Form |
| 1 Photocopy of School Registration License |
| 1 Passport-sized Photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm) |
| 1 Sealed Medical Test Results (including TBPE tests) |
| 1 Photocopy of Accommodation Contract |
| Signed Confirmation Letter of Accommodation Residency |
| 30,000 KRW Application Fee (in cash) |
| Your Original Passport + 1 Photocopy |
Medical Exam
To apply for a residence card, applicants must undergo a full medical exam at a designated E2 visa hospital in their city. You can find a list of hospitals here. It’s best to make an appointment in advance.
Required Documents for Medical Exam
1. 2-3 Passport-size photos
2. Valid Passport
3. Testing fee: 60,000~150,000 KRW (additional copies cost 1,000~5,000 KRW)
*Fees and requirements may vary by hospital, so call ahead to verify.
What Does the Medical Exam Include?
The medical exam checks for general health conditions, drug use, and specific diseases. The exam typically includes an X-ray, blood test, and other physical tests.
Please click here for a sample medical exam results page.
Featured image courtesy of Republic of Korea with light image modifications done.
[…] I applied for my ARC in Korea a few days ago and I thought I’d let you guys know how it went. Now, I came to Korea on an F4 visa so for those with an E2, read this post. […]
Hello, I want to issue id card as F-1-5 HOLDER, should my translated birth certificate and family certificate be verified in ambassy and the ministry?thank you.
Hi, is ARC and the medical exam need to renew yearly if I will there for work for 2 years?
Looking forward for your reply.
Thanks so much.
Hi Sean,
You need to review your ARC every year if you will sign a one year contract. The two-year contract will issue an ARC with 24M. Every time you will renew the contract employer can request a medical test.
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
Meaning to say that I need to pay 30,000 KRW every year for the ARC renewal?
Hence, I need to redo the medical test every year which in order for me to proceed with the ARC renewal?
Appreciate your prompt reply.
Regards,
Sean Lim
I applied for a d4 visa which required health test and TUberculosis Examination in my country in Malaysia already .. do I have to redo the health check again in Korea to apply for the ARC which I just did in Malaysia that are in less than a month ?
Hi, do I need an HIV or TB medical exam as an E-9 visa holder when applying or renewing my ARC??
What is a School Registration License?
It is a business registration (license). Your employer should have it and provide you a copy of it.
National criminal background check is not on the list. Should it be?
Hi Scott,
This is for ARC application. National Criminal Background check is a required document for a visa issuance number application.
So I’ve been in SK for 2 years, have ARC and D-7 Visa ( Spouse F-1) how do go about getting Korean National Health coverage or card.
Per info on this site ‘Having an ARC also allows you to be enrolled in the Korean national health/medical insurance and pension plan.’
Please advise!!
How can me and my family a ARC while we’re stationed here with the military?
I have a question about the ARC, you can go to school and work? what are the benefits of having one?
Hi , anneongsayo!
How about people who under age 18teen.
Still can apply the ARC.
Please explain
Hello. According hikorea and an other official sites I checked, they say all foreigners intending to stay more than 90 days must register and apply for a ARC. That means you can apply for it with a B-1 Visa? I can stay up to 90 days on B-1 (Visa waiver agreement), but I would like to stay 6 months and if I can avoid visa run, that would my best option. Besides with a ARC I can have a korean phone number and my own internet.
Hello,
When filling out the application form what if I don’t have a korean phone number? What number do I put down? Or what if I buy a pre paid sim and then once I’ve got my arc card upgrade to a contract sim, so I then need to change the sim number on the application?
What’s the validity period of an ARC?
Hi, once receiving my medical results, how long do I have for them to be valid? I cannot get an appointment with immigration for another 3 weeks and have already had them one week.
I have 3 weeks to apply for ARC but I’m not registered with any school. I arrived on tourist visa . Pls guide me on how I can apply for ARC. I want to stay here for 3 years to work and earn money to further my education. I’m a female pls help.
hey,
well im planning to study in korea and stay first i will have the student visa then when i will have a alien card it allow me to live in the country like forever but i need to renew it every year ? thats is it? or if not how can i stay in korea like for really long (forever)?
hope to see my question!
Does e-4 visa get the arc ?
E-4 Visa will get the ARC too.
https://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt?catSeq=&categoryId=2&parentId=382&showMenuId=374
Hi, during the process of making ARC, Can I leave Korea during that time?
Hello Onjira,
You can leave the country if you have a multiple entry visa as well as holding your passport. However, we suggest you contact the Korean immigration office before you leave the country.
Most of the people will not leave until the ARC has been issued safely.
I am trying to get a 보건증 for working in a restaurant. Do I need to get the ARC in order to get it. I am an American citizen
Hai , i want ask if late renewing the ARC how much can i pay ?
Hello. According hikorea and an other official sites I checked, they say all foreigners intending to stay more than 90 days must register and apply for a ARC. Does it mean that we can apply for it with a B-1 Visa? I’m currently in Busan waiting for my school term to start and I will at least stay for more than l 90 days but a B-1 visa (Visa waiver agreement) only allows to stay up to 90 days, and I would like to stay for at least 6 months and if I can avoid visa run, that would be the best option. Besides with an ARC, I am able to register a korean phone number and rent an accomodation.
Hi Veronica,
You have to wait until you will get the E2 visa.
[Change Of Status And Extension Of Stay]
B-1 holders cannot apply for extension or change of status. So if you want to stay more than the period specified in the visa waiver agreement you are required to apply for a visa before coming to Korea.
https://www.englishspectrum.com/b-1-visa-exemption-%EC%82%AC%EC%A6%9D%EB%A9%B4%EC%A0%9C/
I am having E7 visa whether medical check up required to apply ARC at South Korea
hi, I have a D4-2 1 year visa type and I’m going to visit my home country and come back
to Korea soon. Should I need a ARC? How should get me card very quickly?
Hi,
Is it possible to pay an additional fee and get the Alien Registration Card fast tracked? I am looking to do some international travel during my time in Korea and would like to start before the summation of the postage period.
Kind Regards,
Matt Allen
Unfortunately, there is no fast-tracked ARC service.
Hi,I just came at Korea recently and I applied for the ARC at the office already but the problem is that,They will released it on January 28,2020 and I need to go back in my country before that day and going back again on March,Is it okay to send it via mail?
Thank you
We do not suggest you leave Korea before obtaining ARC. Also, we suggest you contact the immigration office directly and make sure re-entry is allowed.
Is work and study is the only conditions to apply for this card? What if i just want to stay longer in korea for travel purpose while making vlog or for plastic surgery maybe.
I’m moving to Korea in 9 months. Could I enter Korea,apply for the ARC and then be able to stay long term?? Id just have to reapply after a while right?? I’m not going there for school. Would I be excluded from having to provide any schooling info when applying for the ARC??
Hello!
I have the F4 visa and was wondering if I need to go do the medical exam for my ARC?
Thank you!
Hi Korvia
I currently hold an Australian passport and a Korean passport. Will I be able to apply for an ARC?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Korvia,
I currently have the D-2 visa, and I am a student in an university. I want to change my university and join another university in Korea. What should I do for changing the university name in the visa?
Thank you so much.