You need specific documents for alien registration in Korea, and the exact list depends on your visa (status) type. The official guidance splits the requirements into documents everyone must bring and extra documents tied to your specific status.
This guide lists the common documents required from every applicant, the additional documents for major visa types such as D, E, F, G, and H visas, and the photo requirements for your registration card.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Foreign residents who must submit documents for alien registration in Korea; extra items depend on your visa (status) type |
| Common documents | Passport with copies, application form, 1 color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm), proof of address, and the process fee |
| Fee | KRW 30,000, paid as a Government Revenue Stamp |
| Photo requirement | 1 color photo, 3.5cm x 4.5cm |
| Extra documents | Depend on your visa (status) type — see the D/E and F/G/H visa tables below |
| Proof of address accepted | Lease contract, certificate of accommodation, advance notice on expiration of stay, or utility bill payment receipt |
| Contact for questions | 1345 Immigration Contact Center, Mon–Fri 09:00–22:00 |
| Deadline / processing time | Not stated on this guidance page — confirm on the official page before you go |
Who Needs Documents for Alien Registration in Korea
If you are staying in Korea on a visa that requires registration, you need to prepare the right documents to complete the process at your immigration office. The exact list of extra documents depends on your visa (status) type, so check the visa-specific tables further down before you go.
The official guidance groups the required paperwork into two parts: documents every applicant must bring, and additional documents tied to a specific visa status. The guidance also notes that the official in charge may request additional documents after reviewing your basic paperwork.
Common Documents for Alien Registration in Korea
No matter your visa type, you must bring the following common documents.
- Passport, with a copy of the pages containing your personal information and your visa
- Application form
- 1 color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
- Process fee of KRW 30,000, paid as a Government Revenue Stamp
- A document proving your place of residence, such as a lease contract, certificate of accommodation, advance notice on expiration of stay, or a utility bill payment receipt
⚠️ The official in charge may ask for other documents after reviewing your basic paperwork, so it helps to bring extra copies of anything you have.
Additional Documents by Visa Type: D and E Visas
On top of the common documents, the immigration guidance lists extra required documents for certain visa (status) types. The table below covers D-series and E-series visas.
| Visa (Status) | Additional Document(s) Required |
|---|---|
| D-1 Culture/Arts | A document proving the culture/art organization, such as a copy of business registration |
| D-2 Overseas Study | A certificate of studentship |
| D-3 Industrial Training | A copy of business registration, a medical certificate, and a certificate of insurance subscription for delayed payment |
| D-4 General Training | A certificate of studentship for university Korean-language or school training, or a document proving the training organization for other training |
| D-5 Journalism | A certificate of approved branch establishment, or a copy of business registration |
| D-8 Corporate Investment | A copy of foreign invested corporation registration |
| D-10 Job Seeking | No additional document |
| E-1 Professor | A copy of business registration |
| E-2 Foreign Language Instructor | A copy of business registration (or certificate of proper number), a physical exam from a Ministry of Justice-designated institution including a drug test, and in some cases a criminal records certificate |
| E-6 Arts & Performance | A medical certificate from a domestic hospital |
| E-7 Specially Designated Activities | A copy of business registration certificate |
| E-10 Vessel Crew | A business license or business registration copy, and a certificate of accident or industrial disaster insurance |
Additional Documents by Visa Type: F, G, and H Visas
The following visa types also have their own additional requirements listed by the immigration guidance.
| Visa (Status) | Additional Document(s) Required |
|---|---|
| F-1 Visiting/Staying with Relatives | Birth certificate or family register plus certified resident registration for the relative living together; for domestic help, a copy of the employer’s ID or alien registration card |
| F-2 Residency | Not required for the Chinese resident abroad category; for a spouse of a Korean national, the Korean spouse’s certificate of marriage, certified resident registration, and reference |
| F-3 Family Dependency | A copy of the spouse’s or parents’ alien registration card |
| G-1 Miscellaneous | No additional document |
| H-1 Working Holiday | An itinerary or activity plan, plus a certificate of employment or business registration copy if already working |
| H-2 (B, D, E, F) Working Visit | Resident registration card or family register |
| H-2C Working Visit | A certificate of studentship issued within the last week and a copy of the alien registration card |
⚠️ For the Overseas Koreans (F-4) and Permanent Residency (F-5) categories, the guidance points to the documents used for reporting domestic residency or changing status — check the official page for the exact list that matches your case.
Photo Requirements for Alien Registration
The common document list requires 1 color photo sized 3.5cm x 4.5cm. This is the size used for your registration card.
The official guidance also has a separate page describing the standard photo size for the residence card, but it does not give further specifications such as background color or how recent the photo must be. Check the official page directly for any additional photo rules before you get your photo taken.
Step by Step: Submitting Your Documents
- Gather the common documents for alien registration in Korea: passport with copies, application form, photo, proof of address, and the KRW 30,000 fee.
- Check the visa-specific table above and add any extra document required for your status.
- Bring the full set of documents to your immigration office.
- Pay the process fee of KRW 30,000 as a Government Revenue Stamp.
- Submit your documents and application form for review.
⚠️ The official in charge may still ask for additional documents after reviewing your basic paperwork, even if you brought everything listed here.
Common Mistakes and What Depends on Your Case
A few details are easy to overlook when preparing your application.
- Bringing only the common documents and forgetting the extra document required for your specific visa (status) type
- Submitting a photo that is not a color photo or not sized 3.5cm x 4.5cm
- Missing proof of place of residence, such as a lease contract or certificate of accommodation
- Not knowing that some visa types, such as D-10 and G-1, require no additional document beyond the common list
⚠️ The immigration guidance notes that the official in charge may ask for additional documents after reviewing your basic paperwork, even if you followed this checklist closely.
Frequently asked questions
What are the documents for alien registration in Korea?
Everyone must bring a passport with copies of the personal information and visa pages, an application form, 1 color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm), the KRW 30,000 process fee, and proof of your place of residence. Depending on your visa (status) type, you may also need an additional document listed in the visa-specific tables.
Do the required documents differ by visa type?
Yes. The official guidance lists extra documents for many visa (status) types, such as a certificate of studentship for D-2, a business registration copy for E-1, or a resident registration card for H-2 (B, D, E, F).
What photo size is required for alien registration in Korea?
You need 1 color photo sized 3.5cm x 4.5cm. The guidance has a separate page on standard photo size for the residence card, but it does not list further details such as background color.
How much does alien registration cost?
The listed process fee is KRW 30,000, paid as a Government Revenue Stamp. No other fees are stated on this guidance page.
What counts as proof of address for alien registration?
Accepted documents include a lease contract, a certificate of accommodation, an advance notice on expiration of stay, or a utility bill payment receipt.
Gather the common documents for alien registration in Korea plus anything required for your specific visa type before your appointment. The official in charge may ask for more after reviewing your paperwork, so confirm the current requirements on the official page beforehand.
Last checked: September 20, 2026. Rules, fees and required documents in Korea change often, and some depend on your visa type and district office. Always confirm the current details on the official pages below before you go.