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By Jeong Ju Kim | Updated: November 12, 2026 Moving to a new home in South Korea involves more than signing a lease and unpacking. If you are a registered foreign resident, you generally must report your new address to the immigration authorities within 15 days of moving in. The process is free and can be completed online or in person. However, foreign nationality Koreans who have registered their domestic residence under the F-4 system have a different deadline of 14 days. This guide explains who needs to report an address change, what documents to prepare, where to submit the report, and what to do if you miss the deadline. Quick Answer Registered foreign residents: Report within 15 days after moving in. F-4 domestic residence registrants: Report within 14 days. Where: HiKorea, the appropriate immigration office, or a local administrative office serving your new address. Documents: Identification and proof of your new residence. Government reporting fee: Fre...

Updated: November 11, 2026 Yes. Korea’s e-Arrival Card is free when submitted through the official government website, https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr/. The official portal warns that a website requesting payment information is not the official service. Before entering passport or card details, check the address in your browser. In This Article What the free service includes How to identify the official website What a payment request means How to submit safely What to do if you already paid Reader questions There Is No Government e-Arrival Card Fee The Korea Immigration Service states that the e-Arrival Card service is free. You do not need to purchase an arrival-card package to use the official online declaration system. This distinction matters when a website adds labels such as “processing”, “verification” or “priority handling” to a checkout page. Those labels do not turn the charge into an official government arrival-card fee. Check the Full Website ...

Updated: November 11, 2026 No. If you hold a valid K-ETA, you are exempt from submitting Korea’s arrival card. The confusing part is that being exempt from applying for K-ETA is different from holding an approved K-ETA. If you travel under a K-ETA exemption without a valid approval, you generally still need an arrival declaration unless another exemption applies. In This Article What each document does Which one applies to you? What the 2026 exemption means What to do before departure Reader questions K-ETA and the e-Arrival Card Serve Different Purposes K-ETA is Korea’s electronic travel authorisation for eligible visa-free travellers. The e-Arrival Card is an entry declaration providing information about you and your visit. Completing an arrival declaration does not replace a required K-ETA or visa. The official K-ETA website lists an application fee of KRW 10,000. The e-Arrival Card is free. These are separate services, so a legitimate K-ETA application fee...

Written by softly Published: August 14, 2026 This article summarizes general Korean immigration guidance verified against official public sources. Requirements can vary by status of stay and individual circumstances. In This Article What “ARC Renewal” Actually Means 2026 ARC Renewal Deadlines Requirements and Documents Requirements by Visa Type How to Apply ARC Renewal Fees Common Mistakes 2026 Rule Fact Check If Your Expiration Date Is Close Reader Questions Sources and Methodology If your authorized stay in South Korea expires in 2026, the most important deadline is straightforward: you must obtain the required extension of your period of stay before your current authorized period ends if you intend to remain in Korea. Under Article 25 of Korea’s Immigration Act, a foreign national who wants to continue staying beyond the permitted period must receive an extension before...

  If you need to visit a Korean immigration office in 2026, booking through HiKorea is usually the first thing to check. Many visa, residence card, extension, and reporting services require a visit reservation before you go. The process is not too difficult, but choosing the wrong office, wrong service type, or wrong applicant name can delay your visit. Here is the simple version you can follow before booking. Table of Contents What HiKorea Immigration Appointment Means Who Needs to Book an Appointment What to Prepare Before Booking How to Book on HiKorea Step by Step Important Rules to Check in 2026 Common Problems and Practical Tips FAQ Key Takeaway Final Things to Consider What HiKorea Immigration Appointment Means HiKorea is the official online service used by foreign residents and visitors for immigration-related civil services in Korea. A visit reservation let...