Korea Immigration Office Visit Checklist

Immigration Office Visit Tips Every Foreigner Should Know

Hello, this is KOWORK, a foreign hiring platform in Korea.

If you are living in Korea as a foreigner, there may be times when you need to visit the Immigration Office for visa extension, foreign registration card application, change of visa status, change of workplace, address change report, and more.

However, many foreigners feel confused before visiting the Immigration Office because they are not sure what to prepare, which office to visit, or whether a reservation is required. 😇

In this article, we will go over the key things foreigners should check before visiting the Immigration Office in Korea.

1. Check whether you need a visit reservation first

The first thing you should check before visiting the Immigration Office is whether you need to make a reservation.

Most immigration related services require a visit reservation in advance through HiKorea. If you visit without a reservation, it may be difficult to process your request, or you may have to wait for a long time.

In particular, for major services such as visa extension, change of visa status, foreign registration, and change of workplace, it is safer to make a reservation in advance.

However, reservation requirements may differ depending on the type of service or the situation at each immigration office. Therefore, we recommend checking through HiKorea or calling the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 before your visit.

2. Check the immigration office in charge of your registered address

You cannot simply visit any Immigration Office.

In most cases, you need to visit the Immigration Office that has jurisdiction over your registered address in Korea. For example, even if you live in Seoul, the office in charge may differ depending on the district where you live.

Before your visit, make sure to check the following:

• Your current address in Korea
• The Immigration Office in charge of your registered address
• The office name shown on the HiKorea reservation page
• The exact location and transportation route to the office

If you visit the wrong office, your application may not be accepted, or you may need to make another reservation. Please check carefully in advance.

3. Clearly define the purpose of your visit

Before visiting the Immigration Office, you should clearly understand what kind of service you need.

Common reasons foreigners visit the Immigration Office include:

• Applying for a foreign registration card
• Visa extension
• Change of visa status
• Change of workplace
• Address change report
• Reissuance of a foreign registration card
• Passport information change report
• Permission for part time work
• D 10 job seeking visa related application
• E 7 work visa related application

The required documents may differ depending on the purpose of your visit. For example, a D 2 student, D 10 job seeker, and E 7 work visa holder may each need different documents.

4. Prepare the basic documents first

The required documents may vary depending on your situation, but in many cases, foreigners commonly prepare the following basic documents:

• Passport
• Foreign registration card, if already issued
• Integrated application form
• Passport style photo, if required
• Copy of passport and visa page
• Proof of residence in Korea
• Certificate of enrollment or certificate of employment, if applicable
• Business registration certificate, for company related matters
• Employment contract, for employment related matters
• Application fee or revenue stamp
• HiKorea visit reservation confirmation

It is safer to prepare both the original documents and copies. Some documents may not be accepted if you only show them on your phone, so we recommend printing out important documents before your visit.

5. Check additional documents based on your visa situation

The most important thing is to check whether you need additional documents based on your specific visa situation.

Many foreigners prepare only the basic documents and later find out at the Immigration Office that additional documents are required. In this case, the review process may be delayed, and it can become a problem if your visa expiration date is approaching.

Before your visit, make sure to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have enough time before my current visa expires?
• Is my address information up to date?
• Are there any documents that my school or company needs to prepare?
• Do I need a transfer consent letter from my current company?
• Do I need a certificate of income or bank balance certificate?
• Do I need a housing contract or confirmation of residence?
• Do I need both original documents and copies?
• Do I need translated or notarized documents?
• Are there any documents my company needs to prepare?

Especially for work visas, change of visa status, change of workplace, or job transfer related matters, you should check everything carefully in advance.

6. Arrive earlier than your reservation time

Even if you have made a reservation, it is better to arrive a little earlier instead of arriving exactly at your appointment time.

Immigration offices can be crowded, and if it is your first time visiting, it may take some time to find the reception desk, waiting area, or correct service counter.

We recommend arriving 15 to 20 minutes before your reservation time. After you arrive, check your reservation, queue number, and assigned counter first.

7. Keep your receipt and confirmation documents after submission

After submitting your documents, make sure to keep any receipt, application confirmation, or instruction paper given by the immigration officer.

These documents may be needed later for the following situations:

• Checking your application status
• Picking up your foreign registration card
• Submitting additional documents
• Proving that you applied before your visa expiration date
• Submitting proof to your company or school

In particular, there may be cases where you need to prove that you completed your application before your visa expired. It is also a good idea to take photos of the receipt and application related documents.

8. Call 1345 if you are unsure

If you are confused about the required documents or procedure, you can contact the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.

However, the information provided by 1345 and the documents requested during the actual review process may differ depending on your case. For important visa changes or employment related procedures, it is safer to also check with your school, company, or a professional.

Having difficulty preparing for work and visa matters in Korea?

For foreigners preparing to work in Korea, visa status is a very important factor.

Even if you apply to a good company, it may be difficult to proceed to actual hiring if your current visa status, major, work experience, job duties, or company conditions do not match the visa requirements.

KOWORK is a foreign hiring platform that helps foreign job seekers prepare for employment in Korea more safely and accurately.

KOWORK connects foreign job seekers with Korean companies and helps them check job opportunities and visa related preparation points.

If you are preparing to work in Korea, check whether your visa and desired job match before applying.

Start your foreign job search in Korea with KOWORK. ✨