The Alien Registration Card (RC) is a mandatory and extremely important document for foreigners living in Korea, directly affecting their rights to stay, study, work and participate in daily activities. In this article, you will be guided step by step in detail to register for an RC card along with important notes to help you save time, avoid trouble and complete the procedure in the easiest way. If you have any further questions about studying in Korea, please contact the C-Korea website to get your questions answered!
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1. What is a Foreigner Card (RC)?
Residence Card (RC) is a mandatory identification document for foreigners residing long-term in Korea. This card acts as an ID card and visa, helping you:
- Free entry/exit during the period of residence.
- Open a bank account, register for telecommunication services.
- Apply for extra work (if qualified).
2. Foreigner Card Registration Process
After entering Korea, foreigners are required to register for a Residence Card (RC) within 90 days. This is a mandatory procedure to help you legalize your residence status in Korea and is a condition for performing personal utility services in Korea. Below is a specific step-by-step process to help you easily prepare and register for an RC card conveniently and in accordance with regulations.
Step 1: Enter Korea
- After entering the country, you must apply for an RC card within 90 days.
- You must bring your passport, visa, residence application form and photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm).
Step 2: Go to the Immigration Office
- You will make an appointment online through the HiKorea website (www.hikorea.go.kr).
- Then submit your application to the local Immigration Office (depending on your residential address).
Step 3: Get RC card
- Processing time for card applications is approximately 2-4 weeks.
- The RC Card will state:
- Personal information (full name, date of birth, nationality).
- Duration of Stay.
- Residential address in Korea.
3. Important notes when using RC card
After receiving your Alien Registration Card (RC), you not only need to keep it carefully but also need to comply with some important regulations during use. Improper use, loss or failure to update information in a timely manner can lead to legal troubles, even fines or affect your right to reside in Korea. Therefore, below are some important notes that you absolutely should not ignore.
3.1. Duration of stay & visa extension:
- You will be allowed to stay in Korea until the expiration date printed on the RC card.
3.2. D-4 Visa (short-term study):
- If you finish your course at a Korean university, you must leave the country within 10 days.
- If you want to stay, you need to renew your visa before your RC card expires.
3.3. Regulations on attendance rate (D-4):
- Attendance rate below 70%: you must submit additional explanation and bank statement when renewing your visa.
- Attendance rate below 90%: you are not allowed to work extra.
- Absent for 3 consecutive days without permission: you risk being forced to leave the country.
3.4. Entry/Exit:
- You must always carry your RC card when crossing the border.
- If you leave the country without your RC card, your legal residence status in Korea may be revoked.
3.5. How to renew RC card
– There are 2 ways for you to apply for RC card renewal:
- Group extension (school supported).
- Personal extension (do it yourself at Immigration Office).
4. Detailed instructions for registering for an RC card
After preparing all the documents, the next most important step is to register for the Alien Registration Card (RC) in the correct order and time. To register for the RC card in Korea, you can register yourself as an individual. For this form of registration, you need to clearly understand the steps to avoid errors, delays or rejection of the application.
HOW TO SELF-REGISTER FOR A FOREIGN CARD
– You must make an appointment before coming to the immigration office (if you do not make an appointment, you will not be able to submit your application).
– Registration period is within 90 days from the date you enter Korea.
– The card issuance time takes about 3 to 4 weeks depending on the situation of the Immigration Department. (The school’s Administration Office cannot confirm the processing status of the Immigration Department).
– Registration location at Seoul Immigration Office (https://www.immigration.go.kr) – Seoul Immigration Office or the office related to the place of residence.
– How to register for an RC registration card as follows:
- You must make an appointment through hikorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) and arrive on the scheduled date. The procedure for making an appointment is as follows:
After receiving the visa approval notice, you can make an appointment using the visa approval certificate number before entering Korea. (Select 민원신청 → 방문예약 → 방문예약 신청 → Click on 사증번호 신원인증).
- Then buy a stamp and paste the application at the end of the application with the application fee.
- Once the alien registration card is issued, the Immigration Department will send it to you by express mail. Therefore, when registering for delivery, you must provide a specific address.
- When it’s your turn to register, you just need to give your prepared documents to the person in charge of receiving them.
– Documents you need to prepare include:
- Passport (original);
- The registration fee is 35,000 won because the postage fee is 4,000 won. (If you come to pick it up in person, you don’t need to pay the postage fee);
- 1 portrait photo 3.5cm x 4.5cm (white background, both ears exposed, looking straight at the camera, cannot use photo used in passport);
- RC card application form previously issued by the Immigration Department;
- School enrollment certificate (after the opening ceremony)/Tuition payment certificate (before the opening ceremony): students come to the school’s Administration Office to receive it)’;
- Proof of residence (if the study abroad center has signed a rental contract on behalf of the student, the student must sign a new contract with the landlord);
- House contract:
- For students staying in dormitories: request a confirmation letter from the school’s Administration Office.
- For students signing directly on the housing contract: both the original and a copy of the housing contract.
- For students living in the same house with someone else and not on the contract: the original and a copy of the housing contract, a certificate of permission to live together from the person on the contract, and the Foreigner Card/ID card of the person on the contract.
*How to get a certificate of permission to stay together: Go to HIKOREA (https://www.hikorea.go.kr/) > select 뉴스공지> select 민원서식 > download the file named 거주/숙소제공확인서.
- For students staying in 고시원 (cosiwon): housing contract, payment receipt, and business registration certificate of the landlord.
5. Advice for international students and workers
- Check the RC card expiration date regularly.
- Comply with the regulations on diligence (if D-4 visa).
- Contact your school or consulting firm if you need assistance renewing your card.
Conclude
The Alien Registration Card (RC) is an extremely important document when living in Korea. To avoid legal trouble, apply on time, renew early, and comply with the residence regulations.
For more information about studying and working in Korea, please contact:
C-KOREA CULTURE AND STUDY ABROAD CONSULTING CO., LTD.
- Address: 5th Floor, 94 – 96 Nguyen Van Thuong, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, HCMC
- Hotline: +84 28 7308 4247
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duhochanquocckorea/
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@duhoc_ckorea
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Duhoc_ckorea
