A mobile alien registration card is a digital ID that you install and use on a smartphone registered in your own name. From January 10, 2025, the Ministry of Justice has been issuing mobile alien registration cards (including permanent resident cards and domestic residence report cards) to registered foreigners staying in Korea. It carries the same legal effect as the physical card, so you can use it in place of your existing alien registration card at government offices, financial institutions, convenience stores, hospitals, and many other places. As long as you have your phone with you, there is no need to carry the physical card separately, which is very convenient.

Step-by-Step Overview

  1. 1. Check for an IC Chip

    Check whether your alien registration card has a built-in IC chip, then decide which issuance method to use.

  2. 2. Install the App

    Download the "Republic of Korea Mobile ID" app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

  3. 3. Choose Your Issuance Method

    If your card has an IC chip, scan it with the app. If your card does not have an IC chip, visit a Korea Immigration Service office and scan the QR code provided there.

  4. 4. Verify Your Identity

    Complete identity verification by entering your PIN and completing facial recognition (for the IC chip method).

  5. 5. Issuance Complete

    Once verification is finished, your mobile alien registration card is issued and ready to use at government offices, financial institutions, hospitals, and more.

Who Can Apply

Any foreigner aged 14 or older who is staying in Korea can apply. The card can only be issued to a single smartphone registered in your own name. Users of budget mobile carriers (MVNOs) are also eligible.

Issuance Methods

There are two ways to get your mobile alien registration card. You can either tap a physical alien registration card with an embedded IC chip against your smartphone, or you can scan a QR code issued for mobile ID purposes. Choose the method that matches whether or not your alien registration card has an IC chip.

1. Issuance Using an IC Alien Registration Card

To make it easier to obtain a mobile alien registration card, the Ministry of Justice has been issuing a new IC-embedded alien registration card containing a personal identification number (PIN) from January 2025 onward. If you already have this new card, you can apply right from home without visiting a Korea Immigration Service office.

Here is how to do it:

  1. Download the “Republic of Korea Mobile ID” app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
  2. Open the app, then tap your IC alien registration card against your smartphone so it is read by the device.
  3. Complete identity verification by entering your PIN and completing facial recognition, and issuance will be finished.

If you use an iPhone, there is one thing to keep in mind. Your iPhone must be an iPhone 8 or later, running iOS 16 or later, and it must support biometric authentication and NFC.

2. Issuance by Scanning a QR Code

If you have an alien registration card issued before 2023 that does not contain an IC chip, you must visit your nearest Korea Immigration Service office in person and scan the issuance QR code there. There is no separate fee for this method.

To reduce waiting time, it is a good idea to make an online appointment in advance through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Korea Immigration Service visit reservation system before you go.

Issuance Fees

The cost depends on the issuance method.

  • QR Code Scanning Method: Obtaining a mobile alien registration card via QR code is free of charge.
  • IC Alien Registration Card Issuance: If you do not currently have an IC chip card and wish to obtain the new IC alien registration card in order to use the mobile issuance method, an issuance fee applies. From January 1, 2025, alien registration cards (including permanent resident cards and domestic residence report cards) are issued with an embedded IC chip to store the personal identification number (PIN) required for the mobile alien registration card, and issuance fees have been raised accordingly.

Fees are subject to change, so please confirm the current amount with the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service before applying.

How to Reissue the Card

If you change your smartphone or delete the app, you can apply again without any problem.

  • Holders of the new IC-embedded alien registration card: You can easily reissue the card through the app using your physical registration card.
  • Holders of an existing alien registration card without an IC chip: You must visit a Korea Immigration Service office in person and scan the QR code again to reissue the card.

Useful Things to Know Before Applying

  • Before applying, make sure your IC alien registration card is still valid. If it has expired, you must renew it first.
  • To protect against hacking and personal data leaks, it is advisable to keep your smartphone’s security settings (such as screen lock) properly configured.
  • A mobile alien registration card can only be issued to one smartphone registered in your name. If you report your smartphone lost, the card will be suspended, which helps prevent personal data from being compromised.

If you have any further questions, please call 1345 or contact your nearest Korea Immigration Service office, where staff will be happy to assist you.