Immigration Office Korea: Complete Guide to Foreigner Registration Addresses (2026)

Planning to stay in South Korea for more than 90 days? You are legally required to register your Korean address at a local immigration office — and getting the address format right is one of the most common stumbling blocks for newcomers. Miss the deadline or submit the wrong address, and you risk fines up to ₩1,000,000. This guide covers everything: which office to visit, exactly how to format your Korean address, required documents, and tips that save you hours of waiting.

Korea Immigration Office — where every long-term foreigner must register their address within 90 days of arrival.

Key Takeaways

• All foreigners staying 90+ days must register at a Korea immigration office within 90 days of arrival
• Your registered Korean address must match your actual place of residence exactly
• The correct Korean address format follows: [Road name] + [Building number] + [Detail (dong/ho)]
• Bring passport, visa, lease contract or landlord confirmation, and one passport-size photo
• Your residential address determines which immigration office handles your registration

What Is Foreigner Registration in Korea?

Foreigner Registration — officially called 외국인등록 (Oegugin Deungrok) — is a mandatory process administered by the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) under the Ministry of Justice. Once registered, you receive an Alien Registration Card (ARC), a government-issued ID that functions as your official identity document for daily life in Korea: opening a bank account, signing up for health insurance, renting an apartment, and more.

The ARC displays your registered Korean address, making it essential that the address you submit during registration is accurate and properly formatted. If you move later, you must update your address at the immigration office or online within 14 days of moving.

Who Must Register at a Korea Immigration Office?

Not every foreigner needs to register. Here is a quick breakdown:

Category	Registration Required?	Deadline
Visa holders staying 90+ days (D, E, F, H visas)	✅ Yes	Within 90 days of arrival
Long-term residents renewing status	✅ Yes (update address)	Within 14 days of moving
Tourist / short-term visitors (under 90 days)	❌ No	N/A
Diplomats with diplomatic status	❌ Exempt	N/A
Foreign nationals born in Korea	✅ Yes (if staying 90+ days)	Within 90 days of birth registration

Foreigner registration requirements by visa/status category in Korea (2026)

Common visa categories that require registration include: D-2 (student), D-8 (corporate investor), E-2 (English teacher), E-7 (special occupation), F-4 (overseas Korean), F-6 (marriage migrant), and H-2 (working holiday). If you are on a C-3 tourist visa and plan to extend your stay, you will need to change your visa status and then register.

How to Find the Right Korea Immigration Office by Your Address

Korea has 18 regional immigration offices and over 50 branch offices nationwide. The office you must visit is determined by where you live, not where you work or study. Use your residential address to find the correct jurisdiction.

Regional immigration offices handle registrations for foreigners living within their geographic jurisdiction.

Major Korea Immigration Office Addresses

City / Region	Office Name	Address	Phone
Seoul (Central)	Seoul Immigration Office	20, Yangwha-ro 10-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul	1345
Seoul (South)	Seoul Southern Immigration Office	157, Gonghang-daero, Gangseo-gu, Seoul	1345
Incheon	Incheon Immigration Office	224, Incheon-ro, Dong-gu, Incheon	1345
Suwon / Gyeonggi South	Suwon Immigration Office	111, Deokgyeong-daero, Jangan-gu, Suwon	1345
Busan	Busan Immigration Office	97, Chungjeong-ro, Dong-gu, Busan	1345
Daegu	Daegu Immigration Office	100, Guk-chae-bosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu	1345
Gwangju	Gwangju Immigration Office	107, Naebang-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju	1345
Daejeon	Daejeon Immigration Office	189, Dunsan-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon	1345

Main Korea Immigration Office addresses by region (2026). All offices share the national immigration hotline: 1345.

Quick tip: You can find your jurisdiction office on the official Korea Immigration Service website (immigration.go.kr) by entering your postcode. The Hi Korea portal (hikorea.go.kr) also lets you make reservations online — strongly recommended to avoid 2-3 hour walk-in queues.

Korean Address Format for Immigration Registration

One of the most confusing parts of the registration process is submitting your address in the correct format. Korea switched to a road-name address system (도로명주소) in 2014, replacing the old lot-number system. Immigration offices now require the road-name format.

Korean address format on official documents uses the road-name system introduced in 2014.

Road-Name Address Structure

A standard Korean address has this structure:

[City/Province] [District (Gu/Gun)] [Road Name (ro/gil)] [Building Number], [Detail (Apartment name, Dong, Ho)]

Example:
서울특별시 마포구 양화로10길 20, 3층 301호
Seoul Mapo-gu Yanghwa-ro 10-gil 20, 3rd floor Room 301

If you are unsure of your exact Korean address format, use Jusome’s free Korean address conversion tool to get your full road-name address with English translation — exactly what you need for your immigration paperwork.

Old Lot-Number vs. New Road-Name Format

System	Example	Accepted at Immigration?
Road-name (도로명주소) ✅	서울 마포구 양화로10길 20	✅ Required
Lot-number (지번주소) ❌	서울 마포구 서교동 395-3	❌ Not accepted (outdated)

Your lease contract may still show the old lot-number address. Always double-check by looking up your address on juso.go.kr (Korea’s official address information system) to get the current road-name version.

Required Documents for Foreigner Registration

The Alien Registration Card (ARC) you receive after successful foreigner registration at a Korea immigration office.

Bring all of the following to your immigration office appointment. Missing even one document results in a wasted trip:

1. Passport — valid passport with entry stamp
2. Application form — downloadable from Hi Korea (hikorea.go.kr) or available at the office
3. Passport-size photo — 3.5cm × 4.5cm, white background, taken within 6 months
4. Application fee — ₩30,000 (cash or card accepted at most offices)
5. Proof of address — one of the following:
   • Signed lease/rental contract (전세 or 월세 계약서)
   • Landlord confirmation letter (확인서) with landlord’s ID copy
   • University dormitory confirmation letter (for student visa holders)
   • Employer housing confirmation (for certain E-visa holders)
6. Additional documents by visa type — e.g., enrollment certificate for D-2, employment contract for E-7

Step-by-Step: Registering Your Address at a Korea Immigration Office

Follow these steps for a smooth registration experience:

1. Confirm your Korean address — Use the road-name format from juso.go.kr or Jusome’s address tool. Write it out in both Korean and English.
2. Book an appointment online — Log in to Hi Korea (hikorea.go.kr) → Services → Apply for Foreigner Registration → Select your local immigration office → Choose date and time. Walk-ins are accepted but expect 1-3 hour waits.
3. Prepare all documents — Print your application form, gather lease documents, and make photocopies of your passport data page.
4. Visit the immigration office — Arrive 10 minutes before your appointment. Take a number at the entrance kiosk and proceed to the designated counter when called.
5. Submit your application — The officer will review your documents and address details. If everything is correct, they will take your photo and fingerprints on-site.
6. Pay the fee — ₩30,000 at the payment window (usually right after document submission).
7. Receive your ARC — Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks. You can check the status on Hi Korea. Some offices offer same-day or express processing for an additional fee.

Arrive early or book online — immigration offices in Seoul can have long wait times, especially on weekday mornings.

Common Korean Address Mistakes to Avoid

Immigration officers see these errors repeatedly. Avoid them to prevent delays or rejection:

• Using the lot-number address — Always confirm you are using the road-name address (도로명주소), not the old lot number (지번).
• Missing apartment/unit detail — “101-dong, 502-ho” is required for apartment buildings. Omitting it causes mismatch with your lease.
• Address differs from lease contract — The address on your registration form must exactly match your lease document. Even minor differences (abbreviation vs. full name) can cause problems.
• Roommate situations — If you share a room and your name is not on the lease, obtain a written sublease confirmation or a landlord statement confirming your residency.
• Goshiwon / officetel addresses — These buildings often have complex unit numbering. Ask the owner for a written address confirmation to avoid confusion at the immigration counter.

Updating Your Address After Moving

If you move to a new address, you must report the change within 14 days. There are two ways to do this:

• Online (Hi Korea) — Log in → Immigration Services → Change of Place of Residence. Upload proof of new address. This is the fastest and most convenient option.
• In person — Visit your (new) local immigration office with your ARC, passport, and new lease/housing proof. No fee for address change.

Failure to update your address within 14 days can result in fines and may complicate future visa renewals. Keep your registered address current — immigration officers check it during renewal interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which immigration office do I go to in Korea?

You must visit the immigration office that covers your residential address. Use the Hi Korea website or Korea Immigration Service portal (immigration.go.kr) to look up your jurisdiction by postcode. Do not visit a different office — they will redirect you to your local branch.

What address do I use for foreigner registration in Korea?

Use your current residential address in the road-name format (도로명주소). This must match the address on your lease contract or housing confirmation letter. Include apartment building name, dong (block), and ho (unit) numbers where applicable.

Can I use a friend’s address for foreigner registration?

You may register at a friend’s address if you are actually staying there, but you will need a written statement from the householder (세대주 확인서) confirming your residency. Using a false address is considered a violation of immigration law and can result in visa cancellation.

How long does it take to get an Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea?

Standard processing takes 2-3 weeks from the date of application. You can check your ARC status on Hi Korea. Some immigration offices offer expedited processing (1-5 business days) for an additional fee. You will be notified by SMS when your card is ready for pickup.

What happens if I miss the 90-day foreigner registration deadline?

Late registration is subject to a fine of up to ₩1,000,000 (approximately USD 750). The fine amount depends on how many days past the deadline you register. Additionally, late registration can affect future visa renewals or status changes. Register as early as possible after arrival.

Do I need an appointment at the Korean immigration office?

Appointments are not strictly required, but strongly recommended. Walk-in wait times at major offices in Seoul, Incheon, and Suwon can exceed 2-3 hours, especially on Monday mornings. Book online at hikorea.go.kr up to 2 weeks in advance.

How do I write my Korean address in English for the immigration form?

Korean immigration forms typically require your address in Korean script. However, for the English portion of the form, follow the standard transliteration: Street Number + Street Name + District + City. For example: “20, Yanghwa-ro 10-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul.” Use Jusome’s address tool to get an accurate English translation of any Korean address instantly.

Conclusion: Get Your Korean Address Right Before You Go

Successfully registering your address at a Korea immigration office is the first major step in your life as a long-term resident. The process is straightforward once you have your Korean address correctly formatted and your documents in order. The key is preparation: confirm your road-name address, book your appointment online, and arrive with every document on the checklist.

If you are unsure how your Korean address should look on official documents, or you need a clean English translation to attach to your application, use Jusome’s free Korean address converter. It instantly provides the correct road-name format in both Korean and English — exactly what immigration officers expect to see.