How to Apply for Your ARC (Residence Card) in Korea
The ARC card is the ID Korea issues to foreigners who stay longer than 90 days. Its official English name is now Residence Card (RC). You register in person at your local immigration office within 90 days of arrival, after booking a visit on HiKorea, and the card fee is ₩35,000.
90 Days
Deadline after arrival
₩35,000
Application fee (as of 2025)
Up to 6 Weeks
Processing time
8 Items
Required documents
What Is an ARC Card in Korea?
The following guide is for individuals trying to apply for their Residence Card / RC (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card or ARC) in Korea. This process should be done as soon as possible once you have arrived in Korea.
An ARC (Alien Registration Card) is now referred to as the Residence Card (RC). It is a crucial identification card for foreigners in Korea, functioning as both a social security number and ID card. A residence card is essential for signing up for services like mobile phone plans, internet, banking, and even health insurance and pension enrollment.
ARC is short for Alien Registration Card. In Korean the card is called 외국인등록증 (oegugin deungnokjeung), and that is the word you will see on Korean forms, bank apps and phone contracts. Registering also gives you a personal foreign resident registration number (외국인등록번호), printed on the card, which Korean services ask for when you sign up.
Under Article 31 of the Immigration Act, any foreigner who will stay in Korea for more than 90 days must register with the immigration office that covers their address. Diplomats, staff of international organizations and a few similar groups are exempt. For E-2 teachers there is no exemption: if your contract runs for a year, you need an ARC.
You must apply for a residence card within 90 days of your arrival in Korea.
Important — general guidance, not legal advice
This guide reflects Korvia's experience helping foreigners in Korea and is provided for general reference only — it is not legal or immigration advice. Residence Card requirements, documents, and processing can vary by visa type, region, and your individual circumstances, and rules change over time. Always confirm your specific case with your local immigration office (출입국·외국인청) or Korea Immigration (HiKorea) before applying.
Last Verified
Last verified against Korvia's current ARC / Residence Card (RC) application, document, and immigration-office guidance for foreign residents. Deadline, fee, form and penalty points were checked against the Immigration Act and its Enforcement Rules on law.go.kr.
Official sources
- 90-day registration & Residence Card: Korea Immigration Service (Immigration Act Art. 31)
- Residence Card issuance fee (₩35,000, as of Jan 1 2025): Korea Immigration Service fee notice (Immigration Act Enforcement Rules Art. 72)
- Card name, carrying and returning the card: Immigration Act on law.go.kr (Art. 27, 33, 37, 95)
- Appointment booking: HiKorea
How to Apply for Your Residence Card
Follow these 5 steps to successfully register for your RC (Residence Card) after arriving in Korea.
Complete Your Medical Examination
Complete a full medical examination at a designated E-2 visa hospital within 90 days of your arrival in Korea. The exam must include tests for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. Appointments are strongly recommended — book ahead.
Book Your Immigration Office Appointment
Make an appointment online to visit the immigration office that handles your district. Walk-in visits are usually not accepted — you must reserve a time slot through HiKorea before going.
Visit the Immigration Office
Visit the immigration office on your reserved date with the full set of required documents listed below. You can opt to have your residence card mailed to you for a small additional fee, or pick it up in person later.
Submit Your Documents
Submit all documents to the immigration officer for review. Once everything is accepted, processing may take up to 6 weeks. You will receive a receipt — keep it safe, as it acts as temporary proof of your application.
Receive Your Residence Card
Receive your residence card by mail, or visit the immigration office to pick it up once you are notified that it is ready. Once issued, your RC (Residence Card) becomes your primary ID for mobile phone plans, banking, internet, health insurance and pension enrollment.
Required Documents
Bring every item below to your immigration office appointment. Missing a document usually means rebooking your visit.
Download and complete the official application form before your visit. This is the Integrated Application Form (통합신청서, Form No. 34 of the Immigration Act Enforcement Rules); tick the registration box (Foreign Resident Registration on the current version, Alien Registration on older copies such as this one).
1 Photocopy of School Registration License
Provided by your school or employer.
1 Passport-sized Photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Korean standard size, white background, taken within 6 months.
1 Sealed Medical Test Results
Must include TB and HIV test results (TBPE). Envelope must remain sealed.
1 Photocopy of Accommodation Contract
A copy of your lease or housing contract for your Korean address.
Signed by your landlord or school if you live in school-provided housing.
₩35,000 Application Fee
Cash only (as of 2025). Bring exact change if possible.
Original Passport + 1 Photocopy
Bring the original and one clear photocopy of the information page.
E-2 Visa Medical Examination
About the Exam
To apply for a residence card, applicants must undergo a full medical exam at a designated E-2 visa hospital in their city. It is best to make an appointment in advance.
The medical exam checks for general health conditions, drug use, and specific diseases. The exam typically includes an X-ray, a blood test, and other physical tests.
What to Bring
- ✓2–3 Passport-size photos
- ✓Valid Passport
- ✓Testing fee: ₩60,000 – ₩150,000 (additional copies cost ₩1,000 – ₩5,000)
Fees and requirements may vary by hospital, so call ahead to verify.
Important Things to Know
90-Day Deadline
You must apply within 90 days of arriving in Korea. Missing this deadline can result in fines or complications renewing your visa.
Sealed Medical Envelope
Do not open the sealed envelope containing your medical test results. Immigration will reject opened envelopes.
Call the Hospital Ahead
Medical exam fees and specific requirements vary by hospital. Always call ahead to verify costs and what to bring.
Bring Cash
The ₩35,000 immigration fee is cash only. Most hospitals also prefer cash for the medical exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What is the difference between an ARC and a Residence Card (RC)?
They are the same card. The Korean name, 외국인등록증, never changed. The Ministry of Justice announced in November 2020 that the English name would drop 'Alien Registration Card' for 'Residence Card', and the card form in the Immigration Act Enforcement Rules now uses Residence Card. Many people still say 'ARC' in everyday conversation, and older cards stay valid until they are reissued.
Q.What happens if I miss the 90-day deadline?
Registering late breaks Article 31 of the Immigration Act. Article 95 lists failure to register among offenses punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won, and immigration offices can settle a case by issuing a written fine notice. A violation can also complicate future visa renewals and extensions. If you are close to the deadline, book an immigration appointment immediately and contact your employer for support.
Q.What is the ARC called in Korean?
외국인등록증 (oegugin deungnokjeung). Korean staff at banks, phone shops and hospitals will usually understand 'ARC' too, but forms and apps use the Korean word. The number on the card is your 외국인등록번호, the foreign resident registration number.
Q.Where do I get the ARC application form?
The form is the Integrated Application Form (통합신청서), Form No. 34 of the Immigration Act Enforcement Rules, which immigration offices also use for extensions and status changes. A copy is linked in the documents list on this page. Tick the registration box (Foreign Resident Registration on the current version, Alien Registration on older copies), attach a 35 x 45 mm passport photo, and bring it to your HiKorea appointment.
Q.Do I need an RC to open a Korean bank account or get a phone plan?
Yes. The RC (Residence Card) functions as both your ID and the equivalent of a social security number in Korea. You need it to sign up for mobile phone plans, internet service, banking, credit cards, health insurance, and national pension enrollment.
Q.What does the E-2 visa medical exam check for?
The medical exam screens for general health conditions, drug use, and specific communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV. It typically includes a chest X-ray, blood test (TBPE), and a general physical exam.
Q.Can I pick up my Residence Card in person?
Yes. When you apply, you can choose between mail delivery (small additional fee) or picking it up in person at the immigration office once it is ready. You will be notified when it is available.
Q.How long is my Residence Card valid for?
The validity of your Residence Card matches your visa. For most E-2 teachers, this is 13 months. It must be renewed alongside your visa when you sign a new contract.
Q.Do I have to carry my ARC with me?
Yes. Article 27 of the Immigration Act requires foreigners aged 17 or older to carry their passport or Residence Card at all times and show it if an immigration officer or other authorized official asks. Most people carry the card rather than the passport.
Q.Is there a mobile ARC?
The Immigration Act (Article 33) lets immigration offices issue a mobile Residence Card to people who already hold the plastic card, and the mobile version has the same legal effect. You still need to complete the regular in-person registration first.
Q.What do I do with my ARC when I leave Korea?
If you are leaving for good, Article 37 of the Immigration Act requires you to hand the card to the immigration officer at departure. You keep it if you are leaving temporarily and returning within your permitted stay with a re-entry permit, a multiple-entry visa or a re-entry permit exemption.
Settlement Workflow
Your Residence Card is the hub that connects the rest of your setup
The RC is not an isolated immigration chore. It is the point where your arrival paperwork turns into banking access, mobile verification, and the rest of your first-month life in Korea.
Before your appointment
Finish the arrival-side compliance work first
Your RC appointment goes more smoothly when your e-Arrival, medical exam, and immigration reservation sequence is already lined up.
Once the RC is filed
Unlock the services that depend on Korean ID verification
After the Residence Card is in motion or issued, banking, mobile setup, and other onboarding tasks become easier to complete correctly.
Need Help Settling in Korea?
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