HiKorea is the official online civil-service portal operated by the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) under the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). You can use it to handle a wide range of immigration matters — including foreigner registration, change of residence status, and visa extension — and when you need to visit a KIS office in person, you can book your date and time in advance right on this portal. You do not need to create an account; you can book as a guest, so even if you have just arrived in Korea you can use it straight away.
Step 1: Go to the HiKorea website
Visit www.hikorea.go.kr and click the ‘Visit Appointment’ button on the main screen (or go to the ‘Civil Application’ menu at the top and then select ‘Visit Appointment’). The page layout may change over time, so just look for the ‘Visit Appointment’ section and follow it in.
Step 2: Read the instructions and choose your booking type
When the Visit Appointment information page opens, please read every notice on the page from top to bottom. Once you have read everything, tick the checkbox at the very bottom that says ‘I have read and understood all of the above.’
You will then see two buttons — choose one:
- Visit Appointment (Member): if you already have a HiKorea account
- Visit Appointment (Guest / Non-member): if you do not have a HiKorea account
Click ‘Visit Appointment (Guest / Non-member)’. A small information window will appear — click ‘Confirm’ to move to the next step.
Step 3: Identity verification
To book as a guest you need to verify your identity. Choose one of the three options below, enter the required information, and click ‘Confirm’.
| Verification method | Information needed |
|---|---|
| ID card | Alien Registration Card (ARC) number, etc. |
| Passport number | Passport number, nationality, date of birth |
| Visa number | Visa (사증) number |
Step 4: Fill in the application form
Once your identity is verified, you will be taken to the application form. Work through it in order as described below.
4-1. Select the responsible office
Click ‘Jurisdiction Area Guide’ — a pop-up window will open.
- Enter your current area under ‘Region’ and ‘City/District’ and click Search.
- In the search results, click the name of the office you want to visit.
- Check that the correct office name now appears in the ‘Responsible Office’ field.
4-2. Select the counter type
Once the responsible office is selected, choose the counter type you need. The available counter types may differ from office to office.
4-3. Select the service you need
Choose the type of business you want to handle at the KIS office (for example: extension of stay period, foreigner registration, change of residence status, etc.).
4-4. Enter your phone number and choose a date and time
- Enter a phone number where you can be reached.
- Select your preferred visit date, then choose a visit time.
- Confirm that the date and time you selected appear correctly in the ‘Visit Date’ field, then click ‘Apply’ to submit.
If all appointment slots are fully booked before your stay expiry date or reporting deadline, you will need to visit the KIS office in person without an appointment and ask a staff member for guidance. Try to start booking as early as 4 months before your expiry date if possible.
Step 5: Confirm your booking
Once the application is submitted, a booking confirmation page will appear. You can save it as a PDF. A confirmation text message will also be sent to the phone number you entered. Please bring the text message or your saved PDF with you on the day of your visit.
Changing or cancelling your appointment
- To change or cancel your appointment, you can do so directly on HiKorea up until the day before your scheduled visit.
- Changes and cancellations are not possible on the day of your visit. Please check your schedule in advance.
Specific figures such as fees, processing times, and required documents are subject to change. Before applying, please call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center — available 24 hours a day in multiple languages) or contact your local KIS office directly to confirm the latest information.
Useful links
- HiKorea official website — Visit appointment booking
- Immigration Contact Center (1345): call 1345 (24 hours, multilingual support available)