A re-entry permit in Korea lets certain registered foreigners leave the country and come back later without losing their existing registration or status. Many registered foreigners are actually exempt from this permit within a set period, so the first thing to check is whether you need one at all.
This guide covers who needs a re-entry permit and who is exempt, the difference between a single and a multiple permit, the documents and fee involved, how and where to apply, and what to keep in mind if you plan to stay abroad longer than your exemption allows.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Registered foreign residents (A-1 to A-3, D-1 to F-3, F-6 to H-2), Permanent Residents (F-5), Overseas Koreans (F-4), and holders of a Refugee Travel Document |
| Exemption period | 1 year for most registered foreigners (or until their stay validity ends, if that period is shorter), 2 years for F-5, the authorized stay period for F-4, and the document’s validity period for Refugee Travel Document holders |
| When a multiple permit is required | A-1 to A-3, D-1 to F-3, and F-6 to H-2 status holders who will spend more than 1 year and up to 2 years abroad from the date of departure |
| Where to apply | In person at an immigration office, by proxy through an administrative agency, or online through the HiKorea e-Application service |
| Documents needed | Passport, Foreign Resident Registration Card (Residence Card), and the application form; A-1 to A-3 holders also submit proof of their incumbency period |
| Fee | 50,000 KRW, with exemptions for certain nationals and status holders |
| Contact | The 1345 Immigration Contact Center |
Who Needs a Re-Entry Permit in Korea, and Who Is Exempt
If you are a registered foreigner in Korea and you plan to leave the country, you need to know whether your return counts as re-entry under a valid registration or not. Most registered foreigners are exempt from the re-entry permit as long as they come back within a set period from the date they left.
The exemption depends on your status of stay. Each group below is allowed to re-enter Korea within its own time limit, without applying for any permit.
- Registered foreign residents holding Diplomat (A-1) through International Agreement (A-3), Korean Arts and Culture (D-1) through Dependent Family (F-3), or Marriage Migrant (F-6) through Work and Visit (H-2) status: exempt for re-entry within 1 year from the date of departure. If your registered period of stay is less than 1 year, re-entry is allowed only until that stay validity ends.
- Permanent Resident (F-5) status holders: exempt for re-entry within 2 years from the date of departure.
- Overseas Korean (F-4) status holders: exempt for re-entry within their authorized period of stay.
- Holders of a Refugee Travel Document: exempt for re-entry within the validity period of that document.
⚠️ If you fall into one of these groups and you return within the stated period, you do not need to apply for a re-entry permit at all.
Single vs Multiple Re-Entry Permit: What’s the Difference
HiKorea lists two categories on its immigration and stay guide: the Re-entry Permit and the Re-entry Permit (Multiple). Before you decide you need a re-entry permit in Korea, check which exemption category above matches your visa status, since many travelers never need to apply.
A multiple re-entry permit becomes relevant once your trip abroad runs longer than the exemption window. Registered foreigners holding A-1 to A-3, D-1 to F-3, or F-6 to H-2 status must apply for a multiple re-entry permit if they plan to spend more than 1 year and up to 2 years abroad, counted from the date of departure.
| Status | Exempt if you return within | When a multiple permit applies |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 to A-3, D-1 to F-3, F-6 to H-2 | 1 year from departure (or stay validity, if shorter) | Abroad for more than 1 year and up to 2 years |
| Permanent Resident (F-5) | 2 years from departure | Not stated in the source for this status |
| Overseas Korean (F-4) | Authorized period of stay | Not stated in the source for this status |
| Refugee Travel Document holder | Validity period of the document | Not stated in the source for this status |
⚠️ The multiple re-entry permit rule described in the source applies specifically to A-1 to A-3, D-1 to F-3, and F-6 to H-2 status holders. For other categories, confirm your own situation with an immigration office or HiKorea before you travel.
Documents and Fees
When you apply, you submit a set of standard documents. Some status holders need one extra item.
- Passport
- Foreign Resident Registration Card (Residence Card)
- Application form
- For A-1, A-2, and A-3 status holders: a document proving your incumbency period, such as a diplomatic identification card, an official letter of cooperation from your Embassy, or a certificate of employment
The application fee is 50,000 KRW. Several groups are exempt from paying this fee.
- Nationals of Argentina (aged 14 years or less only), Taiwan, and Tunisia
- Scholarship students invited by the government, such as Korean Arts and Culture (D-1), Student (D-2), or General Trainee (D-4) status holders, who submit a certificate of scholarship or an exemption request from their organization
- Diplomat (A-1), Foreign Government Official (A-2), International Agreement (A-3), and Corporate Investor (D-8) status holders
⚠️ Check whether you fall into one of these fee-exempt categories before you pay, since the standard fee applies to everyone else.
How to Apply for a Re-Entry Permit in Korea
There are three ways to apply for a multiple re-entry permit under this guide.
- Visit an immigration office in person and submit your documents there.
- Have an administrative agency apply on your behalf, as a proxy application.
- Apply online through the e-Application service on the HiKorea website.
Whichever channel you use, bring or upload the same documents: your passport, Foreign Resident Registration Card, and the completed application form, plus the incumbency proof if you hold A-1, A-2, or A-3 status.
What Happens If You Leave Without a Re-Entry Permit
If you belong to an exempt group and you return within your exemption period, your existing registration continues as normal and you do not need any permit. The exemption stops covering you once you go past that time limit or past your registered stay validity.
For A-1 to A-3, D-1 to F-3, and F-6 to H-2 status holders, this means that a trip abroad lasting more than 1 year and up to 2 years requires a multiple re-entry permit. Because the consequences of leaving without one can depend on your specific status and stay period, and this is not spelled out in detail in the source, confirm your own case with an immigration office or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center before you go.
⚠️ As a general practice, it is wise to apply for the multiple re-entry permit before your trip abroad, since the exemption and permit periods described above are counted from your date of departure.
Common Mistakes and What Depends on Your Case
Because the rules differ by visa status and by how long you plan to stay abroad, small assumptions can cause problems.
- Assuming the 1-year exemption applies to every status, when Permanent Resident (F-5), Overseas Korean (F-4), and Refugee Travel Document categories each follow a different period.
- Forgetting the extra incumbency document required for A-1, A-2, and A-3 status holders.
- Not checking whether your nationality or status qualifies for a fee exemption before paying the 50,000 KRW fee.
- Leaving the exact application requirements for your case unconfirmed, when documents and processing can vary depending on your visa type and the immigration office handling it.
⚠️ Since requirements can vary by visa type and by individual circumstances, confirm the details for your own case on the HiKorea website or by calling 1345 before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a re-entry permit in Korea for a short trip?
If you hold a registered status such as A-1 to A-3, D-1 to F-3, or F-6 to H-2, you are exempt from the re-entry permit as long as you return within 1 year of departure, or within your stay validity if that is shorter.
How much does a re-entry permit in Korea cost?
The fee is 50,000 KRW. Certain nationals (Argentina aged 14 or under, Taiwan, Tunisia), government-invited scholarship students, and A-1, A-2, A-3, and D-8 status holders are exempt from this fee.
What is the difference between a single and multiple re-entry permit?
The source lists both as separate categories on HiKorea. A multiple re-entry permit specifically applies to A-1 to A-3, D-1 to F-3, and F-6 to H-2 status holders who will spend more than 1 year and up to 2 years abroad from their date of departure.
Can I apply for a re-entry permit online?
Yes. You can apply through the e-Application service on the HiKorea website, in addition to applying in person at an immigration office or through a proxy administrative agency.
Who is exempt from the re-entry permit fee?
Nationals of Argentina (aged 14 or under), Taiwan, and Tunisia; government-invited scholarship students on D-1, D-2, or D-4 status with the right documentation; and A-1, A-2, A-3, and D-8 status holders.
Check which exemption period applies to your own status before you assume you need a re-entry permit in Korea, and if your trip abroad will run past that period, apply for the multiple permit in advance. Rules and fees can change, so confirm the current details on the official HiKorea page or with the 1345 Immigration Contact Center before you travel.
Last checked: September 30, 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.