Your First 90 Days in Korea: From Alien Registration to Address Reporting
Here are the alien registration and residence change reporting steps, plus the documents you need, to handle after arriving in Korea, drawn from official sources.
After you arrive in Korea, you need to finish a few administrative steps within a set period. Missing the timing can lead to penalties, so take care of these early on.
Alien Registration
If you stay longer than 90 days, you must complete alien registration within 90 days of your entry date. If you do not apply within the period, a fine may be imposed. Only after this step can you receive your Alien Registration Card and use various services such as banking and telecom.
Prepare the following.
- Passport
- Integrated application form
- A standard-size photo (3.5x4.5cm)
- A document that proves your residence
You book a visit on HiKorea beforehand and go to the competent immigration office. The fee is reported to be 35,000 won, but confirm the exact amount on HiKorea.
Reporting an Address Change Is Simpler Now
When you move, you must report the change of residence. This used to require several offices, but from 2026 it has been simplified so that one visit to the community service center (dong administrative welfare center) handles it.
You need the following documents.
- Passport or Alien Registration Card
- Lease contract. If the contract is not in your name, a housing provision confirmation
If you want to handle it online, you can apply with a joint certificate through the HiKorea e-government service.
Getting Documents Through Government24 Services for Foreigners
At Government24 Services for Foreigners, you can issue several certificates online. With a joint certificate and a printer, it is available 24 hours.
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certificate of alien registration facts | Waived |
| Certificate of entry and exit facts | Check required |
| Certificate of domestic residence report facts | Check required |
For the full list of available documents and the exact fees, check Government24 Services for Foreigners.
Contacts for Emergencies
If Korean is still new to you and you need help, the Immigration Contact Center (1345) offers multilingual support. For medical emergencies use 119 (ambulance), and to report a crime use 112.