Guide to ARC in Korea!
A guide on how to apply
Getting your residence permit in a foreign country is always a hassle and maybe scary even, but we will try to explain it as thoroughly as possible. Based on our own experience.
What is a Residence Card? Formerly known as Alien Registration Card, The Registration Card is an identification card that you are required to have if you are planning on staying in Korea for more than 90 days. All short-term visas, less than 90 days, are not required to apply for a Residence Card. However, it is vital that you apply for your Residence Card within 90 days of your arrival. Do note that when you want to re-enter the country and still plan on keeping your Registration Card till it is expired, it is required to apply for a re-entry permit at your local immigration office.
Additionally, with a Residence Card, you are able to apply for Cell Phone plans and create a bank account. A bank account is especially useful when you want to order food or do some online shopping in Korea.
First things first. The official website to get everything rolling is the immigration website of South Korea: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/Main.pt
You are not required to make an account to make a reservation. Make sure that you choose the right office for your jurisdiction area. For example, if you live in the Dongdaemun-gu area you need to make an appointment at the Sejongno Branch in Seoul! Otherwise, your application will not be valid. The complete list can be found here: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/gvrnsrch/GvrnSrchPageR.pt
Things that you need to bring in order to be prepared:
Passport
A passport picture in 3.5mm x 4.5mm with a white background. Most photo shops (사진관) will have such services.
A document that you are enrolled in a university (if you are a student)
Proof of residence (in my case I needed a copy of the Residence Card of the person I was renting from)
If you are from one of the following countries, you need a Sealed Medical Test Result that includes TBPE and HIV tests. Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
30.000 KRW there is an ATM at the office in case you do not have the exact amount.
Every visa might have a different application process so make sure to contact the office just to be sure.
Once you arrive at the office you will need to go to the information desk to get your application form.
Application Form ExampleAt the information desk, there is a list with the time you have signed up for and you will have a number assigned to you. After you have filled out the form. You can sit down and wait for your number to be called on the screen and walk to your designated desk. Once you sat down you will give the necessary documents that support your application. After your application gets approved you will have to pay the 30.000 KRW fee and there is an ATM inside (Sejongno branch Seoul) if you did not bring any cash with you. After bringing it back to the desk you were assigned to and getting the necessary stamps, you will get a confirmation document which is important to bring with you when you pick up your Registration Card. Finally, your fingerprints will be scanned and registered at a designated desk. After that, you are finished with your application and all of this should not take longer than 20 minutes.
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