ARC (Alien Registration Card): Your First 90 Days in Korea
"I arrived in Korea, but I cannot open a bank account yet. Do I need my ARC first?"
If this sounds like you, you are not alone. The first weeks in Korea can feel confusing. Many student tasks become easier only after you complete Alien Registration.
GoKorea Study is not an agency. We do not place students, take commission, or sell visas. This guide is free information in simple English, based on official immigration information for international students in Korea. Immigration rules change, and requirements can vary by country, visa type, school, and local office, so always verify the newest information on HiKorea, Korea Immigration, your Korean embassy, or your university.
This article is information only. It is not legal or immigration advice. For your own case, confirm with HiKorea, Korea Immigration, your Korean embassy or consulate, your university international office, or the official notice for your visa type.
The Short Answer
If you plan to stay in Korea for more than 90 days, you must complete Alien Registration within 90 days of your date of entry into Korea.
For international students, this usually means D-2 degree students and D-4 language students must register after arrival. The card is now officially called a Residence Card in English, but many students and offices still say ARC or Alien Registration Card. The Korean name is still 외국인등록증.
Most students need to book a visit reservation on HiKorea, go to the Immigration Office for their Korean address, submit documents, give biometrics, and pay the fee. The card is usually issued within about 2-4 weeks after submission, but processing time varies by office and season.
Do not wait until the last week. Reservation slots can fill up, especially near the start of a semester.
What Is the ARC in Korea?
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The ARC is the foreign resident registration card for people staying in Korea for more than 90 days. It proves that you completed foreigner registration.
For student life, the ARC matters because it is connected to daily identity checks. Official guidance says registration is required before you can do things like open a bank account or get a long-term phone plan.
If you are a D-2 student, you are in Korea for degree study or a regular course. If you are a D-4 student, you may be in Korea for language training or another training program. Both groups must register if they stay more than 90 days.
Registration is done per person. If a family member also stays in Korea for more than 90 days, that person registers separately. Children under 17 register, but physical card and biometric rules can differ for minors. Check the official notice for your family situation.
Who Must Register?
| Situation | Alien Registration needed? |
|---|---|
| Staying in Korea for more than 90 days | Yes |
| D-2 student staying more than 90 days | Yes |
| D-4 student staying more than 90 days | Yes |
| Staying 90 days or less | No, based on the general exemption |
| Short-term visitor | No, based on the general exemption |
Some groups are exempt, including diplomats and their families under A-1, and certain government or agreement personnel under A-2 or A-3.
The deadline is counted from your entry date, not from the first day of class. If you entered Korea before orientation, your 90-day clock already started.
Late registration is an Immigration Act violation. It can lead to penalties and can affect your stay record.
Where and How to Apply
You apply at the local Immigration Office that has jurisdiction over your registered address in Korea. Some universities also run a group or on-campus registration service for new international students. If your school offers this, check it first.
For individual registration, most offices require an advance visit reservation through HiKorea. Walk-ins are generally not accepted for registration.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create a HiKorea account and log in |
| 2 | Book a visit reservation for foreigner registration |
| 3 | Choose the Immigration Office for your Korean address |
| 4 | Attend in person on your reserved date |
| 5 | Submit documents, give biometrics, and pay the fee |
| 6 | Collect the card later or receive it by mail |
Biometric data is collected in person. This includes fingerprints and a facial photo.
Some follow-up services, such as address change or some reissues, may be handled at a local city, gu, or dong community service center, or through HiKorea electronic e-application. Check the official notice before choosing the route.
Documents for Student ARC Registration
Your exact document list can vary slightly by immigration office and visa type. Always confirm on HiKorea before your visit.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Completed Integrated Application Form | Form No. 34 |
| Passport | Original passport |
| One color passport photo | 3.5cm x 4.5cm, taken within the last 6 months |
| Certificate of enrollment or admission | From your Korean school, such as 재학증명서 or 표준입학허가서 |
| Proof of residence or address in Korea | Dormitory confirmation, lease or rental contract, or accommodation confirmation from your host |
| Application fee | Check current payment method at the office |
| Health or TB certificate | Required in some cases depending on nationality and visa |
Do not guess about the health or TB certificate. If the official notice for your nationality or visa type requires it, prepare it. If the data does not clearly apply to your case, check the official notice.
Address proof is a common problem. If you live in a dormitory, ask your dormitory or international office for the correct confirmation document. If you rent a room, check whether your contract has the information immigration needs.
Fee and Processing Time
The Residence Card issuance fee is 35,000 KRW. This fee was raised from 30,000 KRW effective 1 January 2025 because new cards contain an embedded IC chip.
A reissue of a lost or damaged card is also 35,000 KRW.
Fees are typically paid by revenue stamp or card at the office, but payment methods can vary. Check the official notice before your visit.
The card is usually issued within about 2-4 weeks after you submit your application and biometrics. You receive an acknowledgement at submission. The physical Residence Card is collected in person or mailed later.
Processing time varies by office and season. The start of each semester can be busy.
What You Cannot Do Smoothly Without an ARC
Alien Registration affects daily student life, not only immigration paperwork.
Without the card or registration process, you may face delays with:
- Opening a bank account
- Getting a long-term phone plan
- Completing identity checks that require resident registration information
- Using some school or service processes that ask for your foreign resident number
Does ARC Give Work Permission?
No. Alien Registration itself does not grant work permission.
D-2 and D-4 students who want to work part-time must separately obtain part-time work permission through the proper immigration process. This permission is tied to your student visa status and conditions.
Starting work without the required permission is illegal employment. The D-2 and D-4 source data warns that unauthorized part-time work without permission can lead to a penalty fine of up to KRW 30 million.
If you want to work, ask your university international office and check HiKorea before you start any job.
Address Change and Renewal Duties
Your responsibility does not end when you receive the ARC.
If you move, you must report your change of residence within 15 days of moving in. You can report it at the new local Immigration Office, a city, gu, or dong community service center, or online via HiKorea where available.
Failure to report a change of residence within 15 days is punishable by a fine up to KRW 1 million.
You also need to report changes to important registered information. This can include name, nationality, passport number, or school and affiliation.
You must apply for a reissue if the card is lost, stolen, damaged, the photo no longer matches, or recorded information changes. The card's validity is tied to your permitted period of stay, so keep your visa or stay permission valid through extension before it expires.
Mobile ARC and New Residence Card Name
From 2025, new Residence Cards contain an IC chip. Cards issued before 2025 remain valid until expiry and do not need to be replaced only because of the new card system.
The Ministry of Justice began issuing the mobile Residence Card on 10 January 2025. It has the same legal effect as the physical card under the source data.
The mobile ARC is available to registered foreign residents aged 14 or older who have a smartphone opened in their own name. The source data says the phone must meet Android 8.0+ or iOS 16+ requirements, and corporate-name or anonymous prepaid phones are not allowed.
Common Mistakes That Can Break the Process
- Waiting until the final week before the 90-day deadline
- Trying to walk in without a HiKorea reservation
- Bringing a photo that is not 3.5cm x 4.5cm or not taken within the last 6 months
- Bringing weak proof of your Korean address
- Thinking ARC registration allows part-time work
- Forgetting to report an address change within 15 days
Why We Are Strict About "Verify"
Students often copy advice from friends, old videos, or group chats. That can be risky because immigration rules change, office practice can differ, and requirements can vary by country, visa type, school, and local office.
Use this guide to understand the ARC Korea process. Then verify the exact rule for your case.
No commission. No visa sales. No shortcut promises.
Related Guides
- Korean Student Visa (D-2 & D-4): Full Guide
- Part-Time Work on a Student Visa
- How to Extend Your Student Visa
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카드뉴스 5포인트
ARC is required for long stays
If you stay in Korea for more than 90 days, you must complete Alien Registration within 90 days of entry.Book early on HiKorea
Most offices require a visit reservation, and semester-start slots can fill quickly.Prepare address proof carefully
Dormitory confirmation, lease contract, or host accommodation confirmation may be needed.ARC does not mean work permission
D-2 and D-4 students need separate part-time work permission before working.Report your move within 15 days
Address-change reporting is a duty, and missing it can lead to a fine.
Reel Script (30-45s)
Hook:
"I arrived in Korea, but I cannot open a bank account or get a long-term phone plan yet." You may need your ARC first.
Point 1:
If you stay in Korea for more than 90 days, you must complete Alien Registration within 90 days of entry.
Point 2:
Book your visit reservation on HiKorea early. Walk-ins are generally not accepted for registration.
Point 3:
Prepare Form No. 34, your passport, one photo, school document, address proof, fee, and any required health or TB certificate.
Point 4:
ARC does not give work permission. Student part-time work needs separate permission.
Send-CTA:
Send this to a friend arriving in Korea soon. Join GoKorea Insider for the free Student Visa Checklist. No agency, no commission, no visa sales. Just clear information.
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