How to Report a New Address as a Foreign Resident in Korea
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.
- 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: Free.
Who Must Report a New Address in Korea?
Foreign nationals registered under Korea's immigration system must report changes to their registered place of stay.
This applies to registered residents in many immigration categories, including international students, foreign employees, marriage migrants, and permanent residents.
The obligation generally applies when your actual registered place of residence changes, even if you remain in the same city.
For example, moving from one apartment in Seoul to another apartment in Seoul can still require a change-of-address report.
Simply notifying your landlord, university, employer, or mobile phone provider does not replace the official immigration reporting procedure.
How Many Days Do You Have to Report Your Address?
The reporting deadline depends on your registration status.
| Resident category | Reporting deadline |
|---|---|
| Registered foreign resident | Within 15 days of moving in |
| Foreign nationality Korean with registered domestic residence | Within 14 days of moving |
The standard 15-day requirement comes from Article 36 of Korea's Immigration Act. The separate F-4 domestic residence reporting obligation is governed by the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans.
Do not confuse the date you sign your rental agreement with the date you actually move into the new residence. The official reporting period is tied to the move.
If you are uncertain about how your deadline is calculated, contact the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 before the deadline expires.
What Documents Do You Need?
You will need identification and evidence showing that you live at the new address.
For an in-person report, prepare the following:
- Your passport or Residence Card (formerly called the Alien Registration Card), as applicable.
- The integrated application/report form, when required.
- Proof of residence at your new address.
Acceptable supporting documents may include a rental or lease agreement, confirmation of accommodation provided by another person, utility payment records, or dormitory payment receipts.
If You Rent an Apartment or Studio
A rental agreement showing your new residential address is commonly used as proof of residence.
Check that the address is complete and matches the location you intend to register.
If You Live With a Friend or Family Member
If your name does not appear on the lease, you may be able to use a confirmation of accommodation, known in Korean as 숙소제공확인서.
The authorities may request additional supporting documents depending on your living arrangements. Confirm the requirements before visiting.
If You Live in a University Dormitory
Dormitory accommodation documents or dormitory fee receipts may serve as proof of your new place of stay.
Ask your university's international student office which documents it can provide.
How to Report Your Address Online Through HiKorea
HiKorea provides an official online channel for eligible foreign residents to submit a change-of-address report without visiting an immigration office.
- Visit the official HiKorea website.
- Sign in using an available authentication method.
- Open the electronic civil application services and locate the relevant change-of-place-of-stay or domestic residence reporting service.
- Enter the requested personal details and your new residential address.
- Provide the required proof of residence in the supported format.
- Submit the application and check its processing status.
Menu names, authentication methods, and document upload requirements may change. Follow the instructions displayed on the official website.
Government24 states that online applications for a registered foreign resident's address change must be submitted by the applicant personally. Representative applications are not available through this online route.
It also states that the new address does not need to be written on the back of the Residence Card when the change is reported online.
Important: Submitting an application is not necessarily the same as having it approved. Check the final processing result and respond if additional documents are requested.
How to Report Your Address in Person
You can also report your new address by visiting an authorized local government office or the immigration office responsible for your new residential area.
Possible reporting locations include:
- A local Administrative Welfare Center (행정복지센터 or 주민센터).
- The relevant city, county, or district office.
- An immigration office with jurisdiction over your new place of stay.
Bring your identification, completed form when required, and proof of residence.
At the service counter, you can say:
체류지 변경신고를 하려고 합니다.
I would like to report a change of my place of stay.
Before visiting an immigration office, check whether an appointment is required for the relevant service. The requirements may differ by office and application type.
If you are unsure which office handles your address, call 1345.
Can Someone Else Report the Address for You?
Representative applications are possible under certain conditions, but additional documentation is required.
Government24 lists documents such as a letter of authorization, the representative's identification, supporting evidence of the relationship when applicable, and proof of residence.
Parents may submit applications on behalf of children under 17 in the circumstances specified by the government service.
Online address-change reporting for registered foreign residents, however, is limited to personal applications.
If you are unable to visit an office yourself, contact the relevant authority to confirm whether a representative can handle your specific case.
Is There a Fee to Change Your Registered Address?
No. The official government service for reporting a registered foreign resident's change of place of stay is free.
Government24 also lists the domestic residence change reporting service for foreign nationality Koreans as free of charge.
This is different from fees associated with other immigration procedures, such as initial foreigner registration or card issuance.
Use official government channels to avoid unnecessary service charges from third-party websites.
What Happens If You Miss the Reporting Deadline?
Missing the reporting deadline may result in immigration-related penalties.
Address reporting is a legal obligation, not simply an optional administrative update.
The exact consequences depend on the applicable law and your circumstances. Different provisions apply to registered foreign residents and foreign nationality Koreans who have registered their domestic residence.
If you have already missed your deadline, contact the Immigration Contact Center or the appropriate immigration office promptly.
Explain when you moved and ask how to complete the overdue report. Do not assume that submitting it late will automatically eliminate a possible penalty.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After Moving
Several misunderstandings can delay a change-of-address report.
- Assuming your landlord reports the change: A landlord's administrative obligations do not automatically replace your own immigration reporting duty.
- Waiting until your visa renewal: Address reporting and extension of stay are separate matters.
- Using an incomplete address: Include the required building and unit information.
- Confusing the 14-day and 15-day deadlines: Check whether you fall under the F-4 domestic residence reporting rules.
- Forgetting to check online application results: Verify that the application has been processed successfully.
It is also sensible to update your address separately with your bank, employer, university, insurance provider, and other relevant organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to report an address change if I move within the same city?
Yes. If your registered place of stay changes, the reporting requirement generally applies even when you move within the same city or district.
Can I report my new address without visiting immigration?
Yes. Eligible applicants can use HiKorea's online reporting service or report through an authorized local government office.
Does changing my address extend my visa?
No. Reporting a new residential address does not extend your authorized period of stay. Visa extensions and address changes are separate immigration procedures.
Do F-4 visa holders have 15 days to report an address change?
Foreign nationality Koreans who have completed domestic residence registration are subject to a 14-day reporting period, rather than the general 15-day period for registered foreign residents.
Can I report the address change using my phone?
The reporting service is available online, but mobile compatibility, identity verification, and document upload functions may vary. Check HiKorea's current service requirements or use a computer if the mobile process is unsuccessful.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Call Korea's Immigration Contact Center at 1345. It provides multilingual guidance, including English-language assistance.
Key Takeaways
- Registered foreign residents generally have 15 days to report a new place of stay.
- Foreign nationality Koreans with registered domestic residence generally have 14 days.
- Prepare identification and proof of residence.
- Report through HiKorea or an authorized local office.
- The official address-change reporting service is free.
- Confirm that your report has been processed successfully.
Moving to a new home is a significant part of settling into life in Korea. Completing your address report promptly helps keep your immigration information accurate and reduces the risk of avoidable administrative problems.
If your situation involves an unusual housing arrangement, representative filing, or a missed deadline, seek confirmation directly from immigration authorities.
Official Sources and Methodology
This guide was prepared using published guidance from the Ministry of Justice and the Korean government's official civil service portal. The reporting deadlines, required documentation, fee information, and submission methods were checked against the sources below.
- Government24 — Report of Change in Place of Stay for Registered Foreigners
- Government24 — Report of Change in Domestic Residence
- HiKorea — Official Immigration Electronic Services
- Ministry of Justice — Integrated Application and Report Form
- Ministry of Justice — Immigration Contact Center (1345)
This article provides general information and does not replace individualized immigration or legal advice. Requirements may vary based on registration status and individual circumstances. Always confirm your obligations through official government channels.