Guide 1 of 5 · 비자·체류
Visa & Stay
Your Alien Registration Card, your visa and your registered address are the three things immigration checks. Keep all three current and you will not have problems.
01 of 4
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
외국인등록증
The ARC is your official ID while you live in Korea. You need it for banking, a phone contract and most services.
- 1
Apply within 90 days of entry
Apply at your local immigration office or book through HiKorea. The university helps you with the process.
- 2
Register your address
Report your address, and every change of address, to immigration within 15 days. This is mandatory.
- 3
Carry it with you
Carry your ARC at all times. If it is lost or damaged, report it to immigration right away.
02 of 4
ARC application documents
ARC 신청 서류
Bring these
Copy of passport여권 사본
Bring your passport and we can copy it for you. If you do not have it with you, bring a PDF file.
Two passport photos여권용 사진 2매
3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background. No hats, and the face must not appear too small.
Certificate of enrollment재학증명서
Issued at the school for 300 KRW.
Proof of residence거주지 증명서
Your housing lease (for a gosiwon, the receipt). If the contract is not in your name: the Confirmation of Residence form, the provider's business registration certificate and a copy of their ID.
Processing fee
35,000 KRW
Paid in cash. The full amount goes to the Immigration Office.
03 of 4
Visa extension
비자 연장
You can apply from 4 months before your stay expires. Apply as soon as the window opens; late applications are fined.
- 1
Apply from 4 months before
The window opens 4 months before your visa or ARC expires. Start then, never in the last weeks.
- 2
Use HiKorea
Create an account at hikorea.go.kr to apply online or book a visit.
- 3
Submit documents
Send the documents below to the immigration office near you, and to the university.
- 4
Pay and collect
The fee is 60,000 KRW. Processing takes about 2 to 3 weeks. Collect your new ARC after approval.
Bring these
Copy of passport여권 사본
Bring your passport for a copy, or a PDF file.
Original ARC외국인등록증 원본
The original card must be submitted.
Enrollment certificate and transcript재학·성적증명서
1,000 KRW each, 2,000 KRW in total.
Bank balance certificate잔고증명서
Issued within the last 30 days, with a balance of at least 16,000,000 KRW.
Proof of residence거주지 증명서
Housing lease (gosiwon: receipt). If not in your name, the Confirmation of Residence form and supporting documents.
Processing fee
60,000 KRW
The full amount goes to the Immigration Office.
Take note
Attendance and GPA are checked at extension
Immigration reviews your attendance rate and last semester GPA. Strong records (GPA 2.0 or higher) are often exempted from the bank balance certificate. Poor attendance or a low GPA can delay or block the extension.
04 of 4
Address and personal information
주소·개인정보 관리
- 1
Why your address matters
Immigration and the university send official notices to your registered address. An outdated address means missed deadlines and legal trouble.
- 2
Report every move
Report any change of residence to immigration within 15 days, on campus or off campus.
- 3
Keep phone and email current
Update both the university systems and immigration records. Critical notices come by SMS and email.
Take note
If you do not report
Failure to report can lead to fines, difficulty extending your visa and missing important documents.