An alien registration card in Korea is the identity document that the government requires most long-term foreign residents to hold. If you intend to stay in the country for more than 90 days after you enter, Korean law generally requires you to register as a foreign resident and be issued this card, although a limited number of visa categories are exempt regardless of nationality.
This guide explains exactly who must register, who is exempt, how the 90-day rule sets your deadline, where you apply, what the card lets you do afterward, and what the official guidance says about registering late. Every fact below comes directly from Korea’s HiKorea and Immigration Service guidance pages, so where those pages do not give a number or a document list, this guide says so plainly instead of guessing.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who needs to register | Anyone who needs an alien registration card in Korea because they intend to stay more than 90 days after entry, foreigners granted a change to long-term status, former Koreans who gained a foreign nationality and intend to stay more than 90 days, and foreigners born in Korea with residence status intending to stay more than 90 days. |
| Deadline to register | Within 90 days of entry if you already plan a stay of more than 90 days; immediately after being notified of a new status or permission if your situation changes after arrival. |
| Who is exempt | A-1, A-2, and A-3 holders and their families; people on diplomatic, industrial, or national-security duties and their families; Canadian nationals staying under 6 months on D-1, D-6, F-1, F-3, or G-1 status. |
| Stay categories | Short-term stay (up to 90 days, no registration needed), long-term stay (more than 91 days), and permanent residency (unlimited period). |
| Where to apply | Your local Immigration Office; HiKorea offers online application services, and the Immigration Service’s website lets you book an online visit reservation before going in person. |
| What you need | Not itemized on the official guidance pages referenced here — depends on your visa type and case, so confirm with HiKorea or your local Immigration Office. |
| Cost | Not listed on the official guidance pages referenced here — check the official page before you go. |
| If you are late | No fine or penalty amount is stated in the official guidance pages referenced here; contact the 1345 call center or your local Immigration Office as soon as possible. |
Who Needs an Alien Registration Card in Korea
You are required to register if you intend to stay in the country for more than 90 days after you enter. This rule applies to most foreigners who pass the 90-day mark, though specific visa categories are exempt regardless of nationality, as explained below.
- Foreigners intending to stay in Korea for more than 90 days after entry
- A former Korean who acquired a foreign nationality after losing Korean nationality, if intending to stay more than 90 days
- A foreigner born in Korea who is given residence status and intends to stay more than 90 days
Who Does Not Need to Register
Some categories of foreigners are exempt from foreigner registration entirely, even if they stay longer than 90 days. These exemptions are tied to specific visa types and duties, not to nationality alone.
- Those holding Diplomacy (A-1), Official business (A-2), or Conventions/Agreements (A-3) status, and their family members
- Those undertaking diplomatic, industrial, or other important duties related to national security, their family members, and other foreigners the Minister of Justice finds unnecessary to register
- Canadian nationals intending to stay less than 6 months on Cultural Arts (D-1), Religious Affairs (D-6), Family visitation (F-1), Dependent Family (F-3), or Miscellaneous (G-1) status
⚠️ The Canadian exemption only applies to the visa types listed above and only if the stay is under 6 months. A Canadian on a different visa type, or staying 6 months or more, does not qualify for this exemption.
The 90-Day Rule for an Alien Registration Card in Korea
Korean law sorts every foreigner’s stay into three categories, and which one applies to you decides whether registration is required at all.
| Stay type | Length | Registration required? |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term stay | Up to 90 days | No foreigner registration required |
| Long-term stay | More than 91 days | Yes |
| Permanent Residency | Unlimited period | Yes |
Long-term stay and permanent residency both require you to register as a foreigner or file a Domestic Residency Report within 90 days of arrival. The official guidance referenced here does not specify which of the two paths applies to which group, so confirm with HiKorea or your local Immigration Office which one fits your case.
If you already know when you enter Korea that you will stay more than 90 days, your deadline is within 90 days of entry. If your situation changes after you arrive — for example, your status is changed or a new permission is granted — you must register immediately after you are notified of the new status.
⚠️ Example from the official guidance: a Canadian national holding Tourism/Transit (B-2) status who applies for a change of status after five months in Korea must register for foreigner registration at the time of that application.
Where to Apply and What to Prepare
You apply for foreigner registration at your local Immigration Office. HiKorea, the official immigration portal, provides online application services, and the Immigration Service’s website separately offers an online visit reservation option before you go to an office in person.
- Apply in person at your local Immigration Office
- Use HiKorea’s online application services where available
- Book an online visit reservation through the Immigration Service’s website before visiting an immigration office
⚠️ The official guidance pages referenced for this article do not list a specific set of required documents or a specific fee for foreigner registration. Because requirements can depend on your visa type, your district office, and your individual case, confirm the exact document list and any cost with HiKorea or your local Immigration Office before your appointment.
What Your Alien Registration Card Lets You Do
Once you register for an alien registration card in Korea, the card becomes one of your main proofs of identity and legal stay for everyday transactions.
- Employers must check that you hold a valid foreigner registration card before hiring you; hiring someone without the appropriate visa status is a punishable offence under the Immigration Act
- You can use your registration card or Domestic Residence Card in the Personal Signature Verification System, which carries the same legal effect as a personal seal certificate and means you do not need a personal seal
- Residence card verification services have expanded from banking into the non-banking financial sector
- A mobile version of the residence card is also available
If you plan to work in Korea, remember your visa status must also allow employment. Even with a valid registration card, you may only work at a workplace designated by your local or district Immigration Office, and changing workplaces requires that office’s permission first.
What Happens If You Are Late
The official guidance pages used for this article do not state a specific fine or penalty amount for registering late. What they do make clear is the deadline itself — within 90 days of entry, or immediately after being notified of a new status — so missing it puts you outside the rule regardless of any penalty.
⚠️ If you have missed your registration deadline, contact the 1345 call center or visit your local Immigration Office as soon as possible, and check the official page for the current rules before you go.
Because enforcement details are not published on the pages referenced here, do not assume there is no consequence for registering late. Treat the 90-day deadline as firm, and register as soon as your circumstances qualify you.
Common Mistakes and What Depends on Your Case
Most problems with foreigner registration come from misreading which category applies to a specific person, since the rules depend on visa type, nationality, and how a stay changes over time.
- Assuming a short entry means you never need to register, even after your circumstances change to a stay of more than 90 days
- Assuming any Canadian national is exempt, when the exemption only covers specific visa types — D-1, D-6, F-1, F-3, G-1 — and stays under 6 months
- Waiting to register after a status change instead of registering immediately upon notification, as the rule requires
- Assuming the required documents and any fee are the same for everyone, when the official guidance says this depends on your case and should be confirmed with HiKorea or your local Immigration Office
Frequently asked questions
Who needs an alien registration card in Korea?
Anyone intending to stay in Korea for more than 90 days after entry needs one, along with foreigners granted a change to long-term status, former Koreans who acquired a foreign nationality and intend to stay more than 90 days, and foreigners born in Korea with residence status intending to stay more than 90 days.
Is anyone exempt from foreigner registration?
Yes. Diplomacy (A-1), Official business (A-2), and Conventions/Agreements (A-3) holders and their families are exempt, as are people on diplomatic, industrial, or national-security duties and their families, and Canadian nationals staying less than 6 months on D-1, D-6, F-1, F-3, or G-1 status.
What is the deadline to register?
If you already plan to stay more than 90 days, register within 90 days of entry. If your status changes after you arrive, register immediately after you are notified of the new status.
Where do I apply for foreigner registration?
You apply at your local Immigration Office. HiKorea offers online application services, and the Immigration Service’s website lets you book an online visit reservation before going to an office in person.
What happens if I register late?
The official guidance referenced here does not state a specific fine or penalty for late registration. Contact the 1345 call center or your local Immigration Office as soon as possible if you have missed your deadline, and check the official page for current rules.
Registering for an alien registration card in Korea comes down to one number: 90 days. Know which stay category applies to you, register by the correct deadline, and confirm the exact documents and any fee with HiKorea or your local Immigration Office, since those details are not fixed on the guidance pages and can depend on your case. Rules can change, so check the official page before you go.
Last checked: September 13, 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.