ARC Tips

An Alien Registration Card (ARC) is required for exchange students staying in Korea for over 90 days. This is especially important if you plan on traveling outside of Korea while you are abroad as you need an ARC to re-enter the country.

You can either 1) apply by yourself or 2) join your school's group application service. While doing it through the school may be easier, I chose to do it independently as it is much faster.

Appointment:

• Make your appointment as soon as you get your visa number as spots fill up very quickly!

• Website: http://www.hikorea.go.kr

• How to make an appointment

  1. Reserve Visit > Apply

  2. Visit Reservation Application (Non-Member)

  3. Identify Verification for Visa Issuance Number

  4. Fill in the application form

• Location: Seoul Southern Immigration Office

  • Make sure to check which immigration office is specific to your district as they will turn you away if you make an appointment at the wrong one

Documents needed:

• Foreign resident application form

  • HiKorea website (News and Announcement > Application Form)

• Certificate of Enrollment

  • Do not download or print this before you arrive in Korea!

    • Issue date must be after your entry date

  • Different from the Certificate of Admission

  • Found in the Academic Essentials section of the Yonsei Portal

• Passport & copy of passport ID page

• Passport-sized ID photo

  • 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (Korean passport photo size, NOT U.S.)

  • In color

  • White background

  • Ears must be visible

  • If you print and cut one out yourself they will still accept it

    • There are also photo booths located at the immigration office, Yonsei's Global Lounge, and inside of many subway stations

• Certificate of Residence

  • SK Global and I-House have printed copies ready after your arrival

    • You can also email them to request it and print it yourself

  • Should state the dates of your period of stay

• Fee (cash only)

  • 30,000 won

  • Extra 4,000 won if you'd like your ARC to be mailed directly to you

    • I would suggest paying for this as you won't have to physically go back to the immigration office

**Note: The amount of time that it takes to receive your ARC varies greatly. It took a little over a month for mine to come in, so I highly suggest making an appointment as soon as you get your visa # and having the correct documents prepared on the day of your appointment.