Residence card reissuance in Korea applies whenever your Foreigner Registration card is lost, stolen, damaged, full, or no longer matches your personal details, such as your name, sex, birth date, or nationality. The Immigration Office treats each of these as a separate valid reason to apply, and a countdown starts as soon as the problem happens.
This guide explains who needs to apply, which documents and fee to prepare, how the application works, and the separate rules on carrying, presenting, and eventually returning your card. All information here comes from the official HI KOREA immigration and stay guide.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Foreigners whose registration card is lost, stolen, damaged, out of space, or has outdated details (name, sex, birth date, nationality) |
| Deadline to apply | Within 14 days of the loss, theft, damage, or change in details |
| Where to apply | Local Immigration Office |
| What you need | Passport, application form for reissuance, reason document if lost, recent photo if the one on file is older than 6 months, and old card if applicable |
| Cost | KRW 30,000 processing fee |
| Separate issuance for minors | Required within 60 days of turning 17 for children listed on a parent’s or guardian’s card |
| Carrying rule | Must carry passport, visa, or registration card at all times (those under 17 are exempt) |
| Returning the card | Upon final departure, within 30 days of acquiring Korean nationality, or within 30 days of the cardholder’s death |
Who Needs Residence Card Reissuance in Korea
You need residence card reissuance in Korea if any of the following happens to your Foreigner Registration card. The rule covers both physical problems with the card itself and changes to the information printed on it.
- Your registration card is lost or stolen
- Your registration card is damaged
- There is no more space on the card for necessary entries
- Your name, sex, birth date, or nationality has changed since the card was issued
Once one of these reasons applies, you must apply for reissuance within 14 days. The card is reissued at the Local Immigration Office.
Separate Issuance for Children Turning 17
Children who are listed as accompaniments to their parents or legal guardians on a registration card need their own, separately issued card once they turn 17. The same applies if a child needs a separate card because a parent or guardian has departed Korea or for a similar reason. This application must be made within 60 days of the child turning 17.
- Passport
- 2 color photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
- Foreigner Registration card
| Category | Deadline to Apply | Documents Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Reissuance (lost, damaged, no space, or changed details) | Within 14 days of the reason arising | Passport, application form, reason document if lost, recent photo if required, old card if applicable, KRW 30,000 fee |
| Separate issuance for children turning 17 | Within 60 days of turning 17 | Passport, 2 color photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm), Foreigner Registration card |
Documents and Fees for Residence Card Reissuance in Korea
The documents you need depend on why you are applying, but some are required in every case. Bring the originals, not copies, when you visit the Immigration Office.
- Passport
- Application form for re-issuance of the Foreigner Registration card
- A document stating the reason for the application, if the card was lost
- One color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm), if your photo on file is more than 6 months old
- Your old registration card, if it is being replaced because it is damaged, out of space, or has outdated details
⚠️ The processing fee for residence card reissuance is KRW 30,000.
Bring these documents to the Local Immigration Office. Since requirements can depend on your specific situation and visa type, confirm what applies to your case before your visit.
How to Apply for Residence Card Reissuance in Korea
The application itself is straightforward once you have the right documents in hand. Follow these steps in order.
- Confirm which reason applies to you — lost or stolen, damaged, lack of space, or a change in your details — and note the date it happened, since you have 14 days to apply.
- Gather the required documents: your passport, the application form for reissuance, a reason document if the card was lost, a recent photo if your photo on file is older than 6 months, and your old card if it is being replaced.
- Go to the Local Immigration Office that has jurisdiction over your registration.
- Submit your application and documents, and pay the KRW 30,000 processing fee.
⚠️ Applications must be submitted within 14 days of the loss, theft, damage, lack of space, or change in details.
Carrying and Presenting Your Residence Card
Once your card is issued or reissued, you are required to carry it. All foreigners must carry a passport, visa, or Foreigner Registration card while in Korea, though those under 17 are exempt from this duty.
You must also comply with requests to show your passport or registration card from immigration officers or other public officials, such as city, province, or town administrators, when they are carrying out official registration-related duties.
⚠️ Failing to comply with a request to present your card can result in punishment under Article 27 of the Immigration Act.
Returning Your Residence Card
Reissuance is not the only card-related duty you have. You must return your Foreigner Registration card in several specific situations: final departure from Korea, giving up your foreign citizenship after acquiring Korean nationality, the death of the cardholder, or becoming exempt from Foreigner Registration.
| Situation | Deadline | Who Can Return It | Documents to Bring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acquiring Korean nationality | Within 30 days of acquiring Korean nationality | The person themselves, their spouse, parents, or an appointed agent | Korean nationality verification certificate and lost foreign nationality verification certificate |
| Death of the cardholder | Within 30 days of the death or of learning of it | Spouse, parents, an appointed agent, or the administrator or owner of the property where the death occurred | Medical report, inquest report, or other death verification document |
You must also return the card upon your final departure from Korea.
⚠️ Failure to return the card on time results in fines.
Common Mistakes and What Depends on Your Case
Most problems with residence card reissuance come from timing and missing paperwork rather than the application itself. Keep the following in mind before you go.
- Missing the 14-day deadline to apply after your card is lost, stolen, damaged, full, or has outdated details
- Forgetting to bring the old registration card when it is being replaced due to damage, lack of space, or a change in details
- Not bringing a recent photo when the one on file is more than 6 months old
- Forgetting that children listed on a parent’s or guardian’s card have a separate 60-day deadline once they turn 17
- Assuming the process, documents, or fee are identical for everyone — your case can depend on your visa type and the office handling your registration
⚠️ Since rules can depend on your individual case, confirm the current requirements on the official HI KOREA page before you visit the Immigration Office.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to apply for residence card reissuance in Korea?
You must apply within 14 days of the card being lost, stolen, or damaged, running out of space, or having a change in your name, sex, birth date, or nationality.
How much does residence card reissuance cost?
The processing fee is KRW 30,000.
What should I do if my registration card is lost or stolen?
Apply for reissuance at the Local Immigration Office within 14 days, and bring your passport, the application form for reissuance, and a document stating the reason for your application.
Do I have to carry my residence card at all times in Korea?
Yes. All foreigners must carry a passport, visa, or Foreigner Registration card while in Korea, except those under 17. You must also show it when immigration officers or other public officials request it while performing official registration-related duties.
When do I have to return my residence card?
You must return it upon final departure from Korea, within 30 days of acquiring Korean nationality, within 30 days of the cardholder’s death, or if you become exempt from Foreigner Registration. Failure to return it on time results in fines.
Residence card reissuance in Korea is time-sensitive, so act within 14 days of noticing the problem and bring every required document to the Local Immigration Office. Since documents, fees, and jurisdiction can depend on your specific case, confirm the current requirements on the official HI KOREA page before you go.
Last checked: September 21, 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.