South Korea WHV: How to apply for your residence card (fka ARC)

Chapter 2 of 5

You cannot make an appointment until you’re physically in Korea. This is because you have to have passed through airport immigration in order to be recognized in their system.

Depending on the time of year, it can take you up to a month to secure an appointment, so you should do so as soon as possible.

You must make an appointment with the immigration service that is tied to your place of residence. In Seoul, there are three offices. If you are elsewhere, research where your nearest immigration office is.

Keep this in mind if you are planning to change accommodations one or several times at the beginning of your stay, as you need to make sure your appointment is at the correct office for your place of residence.

While it is generally advisable to make an appointment ASAP, if your housing situation is very unstable at the beginning of your stay, you may want to wait until you’ve settled into at least a semi-permanent address before requesting an appointment. This way you know exactly which immigration bureau services your jurisdiction.

Additionally, you must also declare any address changes within 15 days of the change, so if you request a residence card and then change addresses soon after, you would have to return to immigration to register the new address.

It is possible to modify and cancel appointments up to 24 hours in advance, which is helpful if your address changes and you realize you need to go to a different immigration bureau instead.

Appointments must be made online via HiKorea. You can set the language to English.

On the home page, click on “Apply” under “Reserve a Visit”.

1 – How to use visit Reservation

Read the conditions and then check “I have read and understood the information above” and click on “Visit reservation Application (non-member)”.

Click “OK” on the pop up message.

2 – Identify Verification for Visit Reservation

Choose “Identify verification using passport number”.

3 – Identify verification using passport number

Fill in the following:

• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• And then confirm.

4 – Fill in the application form

For Seoul only, here are the immigration bureaus:

• Immigration Bureau of Seoul – if you live in: Seocho-gu, Seongdong-gu, Yongsan-gu, Gangnam-gu, Dongjak-gu, Gangdong-gu, Gwanak-gu, Gwangjin-gu.
• Immigration Bureau of South Seoul – if you live in: Seodaemun-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu, Mapo-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Geumcheon-gu, Gangseo-gu.
• Immigration Bureau of Seoul, Sejongno branch – if you live in: Jungnang-gu, Jung-gu, Jongno-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Gandbuk-gu, Nowon-gu, Dobong-gu, Dongdaemun-gu (Seongbuk-gu).

In “Detail Search”, you can find your bureau based on your address.

Booth category: the options appear once you’ve chosen your immigration office. Select Foreigner Resident control.

• Accepted applications: “Applications of sojourn” is automatically checked.
• Visitor Name: Your name will automatically appear.
• Select a task: select “Foreign Resident registration”.
• Mobile: If you have a Korean number, enter it. You will receive an SMS confirmation of your booking. It is not mandatory if you don’t have one.
• Password (4-digit number): Your password will be required if you ever need to modify or cancel your appointment.

Date of visit: click on the calendar and choose a date and time.

Time slots in white are available.

Purpose of Visit: You can write “Registration for Foreigner Registration card for working holiday visa (H1)”.

Then click on “Apply” to confirm your booking.

Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll see this summary. You can save and print this document. If you registered a telephone number, you will receive an SMS as well.

You can also download the application form, which you will need to bring to to your appointment.

Tip: If you want to move your appointment earlier, regularly check the calendar as new slots may open up.