Registration of Aliens

• Registration
  • An alien shall file for alien registration with the Regional Immigration Office or its Branch Office having jurisdiction over his/her place of stay within 90 days from the date of entry into Korea by visiting the office with his/her spouse.
  • Certificate of Alien Registration is valid for 1 year and it must be renewed 1 year before expiry date.
• Documents to be submitted
  • Passport, Application for Alien Registration, and two photographs (3.5×4.5cm)
  • Spouse’s Certificate of Family Relations and Resident Registration
  • Reference (Spouse or a qualified person, notarization not required)
  • Marriage Certificate and registration fee
• Exception from alien registration
  • A person who is performing diplomatic and official missions with family members (A-1, A-2, A-3); a person who performs diplomatic, commercial or other important obligations with a family for national security; the Minister of Justice grants a special status to an individual.
  • Cultural/Artist (D-1), Religious Visitor/Missionary (D-6), Visit and Stay with Family (F-1), Accompanying Spouse (F-3), Others/Miscellaneous (G-1).

Reporting of Change in Place of Stay (Change in Place of Stay)

• If an alien changes his/her place of stay, the alien shall file a moving-in report within 14 days from the date on which he/she moves into the new place of stay. If the alien fails to report, he/she shall be punished by a fine (not exceeding one million won).
• Target: Registered aliens (overseas Koreans with foreign nationality) who change their places of stay
• Location: Gu Office or Immigration Office having jurisdiction over their new place of stay
• Documents to be submitted
  • Report of Change in Place of Stay, Passport, Certificate of Alien Registration (address certificate), and Proof of Place of Residence
• Documents to be submitted, if reported by a legal representative
  • If reported by a family member: Certificate of Family Relations, Marriage Certificate, Proof of Marriage, Family Register, and Birth Certificate
  • If reported by the employer: Letter of Attorney, Certificate of Business Registration, Applicant or Representative's Proof of Employment, and Representative's ID Card
• Proof of place of residence
  • Applicant’s Proof of Place of Residence (Submit one of the following): Building Register, Rental Contract, or other documents proving the applicant’s stay such as Proof of Stay in Dormitory/Gosiwon
  • Other documents (Submit all of the following): One of the documents above or Resident Registration (if living in the same residence with a Korean citizen), nominee’s ID Card, and Proof of Dormitory Provision

In the event the Alien Loses the Certificate of Alien Registration

• Apply for a new certificate within 14 days from the date on which such loss occurs
• Location: Regional Immigration Office having jurisdiction over his/her place of stay
• Documents to be submitted
  • Passport, Application for Reissuance of Certificate of Alien Registration, evidential document proving the loss, a passport-sized color photograph, issuance fee and document explaining the reason of loss

Application for Permanent Resident (F-5)

• An alien with F-2-1 Visa (awarded to the spouse of a Korean) who stays in Korea for over two years with his/her spouse and maintains his/her marriage status shall visit the Immigration Office having jurisdiction over his/her place of stay.

Acquisition of Nationality following Marriage Naturalization

• The applicant or his/her spouse (a family member living together) shall maintain employment or have sufficient funds for living expenses. The applicant shall have a minimum level of Korean conversational language ability and understand Korean society and culture well
• Location: Regional Immigration Office having jurisdiction over his/her place of stay (except Sejong-ro Branch Office)

Granting Status of Stay to an Alien Born in Korea

• Within 90 days from the date of his/her birth
• Location: Regional Immigration Office having jurisdiction over his/her place of stay
• Criteria for granting status of stay
  • Registered alien’s child born in Korea: Generally, Accompanying Child (F-3)
  • Permanent foreign resident’s (F-5) child younger than 19: Permanent Resident (F-5)
  • Permanent foreign resident’s (F-5) spouse who acquired the spouse’s nationality and lost Korean citizenship: Resident (F-2)
  • Foreign resident’s (F-2) child born in Korea: Visiting or Joining Family (F-1)
  • A child born in Korea and whose parents hold D-3 (Industrial Trainee), E-9 (Non-professional Employment), E-10 (Crew Employment), H-2 (Working Visit), etc.: Visiting or Joining Family (F-1)

Issuance of Certificates

• Certificate of Immigration
  • Target: Korean citizens and aliens
  • Issuer: Immigration Office, Gu Office, and Dong Community Center
  • Location
    • Immigration Offices or Branch Offices in Korea (except Goseong Branch Office): To be issued immediately
    • Si/Do Public Service Center (Counter No. 4, Civil Service & Passport, Dongjak-gu Office): To be issued immediately
  • Applicant: Applicant, his/her legal representative, or deputy
  • Documents to be submitted
    • Applicant: Resident Registration Card, Certificate of Alien Registration, and Passport
    • Legal representative: Application for Issuance, Legal Representative's ID Card, other evidential documents (Certificate of Family Relations, Family Register, Birth Certificate, etc.)
      ※ For minors, only his/her parents can be the legal representative
    • Deputy: Application for Issuance, Letter of Attorney, Deputy’s ID Card or a copy of ID Card, and Applicant’s ID Card
      ※ Since a Certificate of Immigration is significant personal information, it cannot be issued without a Letter of Attorney for adults, even though the family relations are confirmed by a Certificate of Family Relations
  • Issuance fees
    • Head of Immigration Office or Branch Office: KRW 2,000 (Revenue stamp)
    • Head of Si/Gun/Gu or Eup/Myeon/Dong: KRW 2,000 (Revenue stamp) or electronic money/payment.
• Alien Registration Certificate (Proof of Address)
• Target: Registered aliens (current or past) / Residence declarer (current or past)
• Issuer
  • Immigration Offices or Branch Offices in Korea (except Goseong Branch Office): To be issued immediately
  • Si/Do Public Service Center (Counter No. 4, Civil Service & Passport, Dongjak-gu Office): To be issued immediately
• Issuance fees
  • Head of Immigration Office or Branch Office: KRW 2,000 (Revenue stamp)
  • Head of Si/Gun/Gu or Eup/Myeon/Dong: KRW 2,000 (Revenue stamp) or electronic money/payment
• Documents to be submitted
  • Applicant: Certificate of Alien Registration
  • Legal representative: Application for Issuance, Legal Representative's ID Card, other evidential documents (Certificate of Family Relations, Family Register, Birth Certificate, etc.)
  • Proxy: Application for Issuance, Deputy’s ID Card or a copy of ID Card, Applicant’s ID Card, and Letter of Attorney
    ※ Online application (Minwon 24): You can apply for issuance of the Alien Registration Certificate online via the website of Minwon 24 (http://www.minwon.go.kr). (Credited certificate required and no issuance fee)