Have you just arrived in Korea? It can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start in an unfamiliar place. The very first things to take care of are matters related to your stay (visa) and legal status. Only once your status and stay are secure can the next steps — such as banking, healthcare, and employment — fall into place. This article covers the key points and connects you to detailed guides for each step. If Korean is difficult for you, feel free to call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center, multilingual) at any time. Calls are free, and assistance is available in many languages. You can find more details about using 1345 in Immigration Contact Center 1345 Guide.

Process Overview

  1. 1. Refugee Application (if applicable)

    If you have been persecuted or are at risk of persecution in your home country, apply for refugee status first -- either at the airport on arrival or at the Korea Immigration Service office with jurisdiction over your area.

  2. 2. Alien Registration

    If you are staying for more than 90 days, complete your alien registration at the Korea Immigration Service office with jurisdiction over your area within 90 days of your date of entry, and receive your Alien Registration Card.

  3. 3. Begin Settling In

    Once you have your Alien Registration Card, you can start preparing for daily life -- opening a bank account, activating a mobile phone, and so on.

  4. 4. Track Your Stay Expiry Date

    Write your stay expiry date and all reporting deadlines on a calendar in advance, and apply for an extension before the expiry date arrives.

  5. 5. Report Any Changes

    If you move or your passport changes, report the change within the required period (online reporting is available through HiKorea).

  6. 6. Health, Daily Life, and Employment Settlement

    Once your stay and status are in order, move on to the next steps: healthcare and insurance, settling into daily life, and preparing for employment.

Refugee Application (if applicable)

If you have been persecuted or are at risk of persecution in your home country and need protection in Korea, you may apply for refugee status. You can apply at the airport on arrival, or after entry at the Korea Immigration Service office with jurisdiction over your area. Full details on the application process, the review procedure, and options such as objections and administrative litigation if your application is not approved can be found in Refugee Application Process Guide. Keeping the Refugee and Migrant Legal Terminology Dictionary on hand as a reference will help when you encounter difficult legal terms during the process. For the stay obligations and fines that refugee applicants must follow, see Refugee Applicant Stay Obligations Guide. If you are unsure about your eligibility or the documents you need to prepare, please check with 1345 or the Korea Immigration Service office with jurisdiction over your area before applying.

Alien Registration

Any foreigner staying in Korea for more than 90 days must complete alien registration and obtain an Alien Registration Card. Alien registration is normally done at the Korea Immigration Service office with jurisdiction over your area within 90 days of your date of entry.

Stay Extension and Reporting Obligations

You must apply for a stay extension before your stay period expires, and if you move or your passport changes, you must submit a change report within the required period. Many applications and reports can also be submitted online through the HiKorea website operated by the Korea Immigration Service.

Checklist: The First Things to Do

Going through these steps in order after arrival will help you stay on track.

  • If you need protection, apply for refugee status first.
  • If you are staying for more than 90 days, complete alien registration within the required period and receive your Alien Registration Card.
  • Once your Alien Registration Card is issued, begin preparing for daily life — opening a bank account, activating a mobile phone, and so on.
  • Write your stay expiry date and all reporting deadlines on a calendar.
  • If you move or your passport changes, submit a change report within the required period.
  • If you run into any difficulties, call 1345 (multilingual).

Next Steps

Once your status and stay are in order, move on to health and healthcare and insurance (New to Korea? ② Health, Hospitals, and Insurance) and money, housing, and daily life (New to Korea? ③ Settling into Daily Life). If you are ready to start working, begin with Employment Guide by Visa Type, and if you need to maintain your stay status while looking for a job, also take a look at the D-10 Job-Seeking Visa Guide.

Procedures and deadlines vary depending on individual circumstances and change frequently, so please check the latest information with 1345 or the Korea Immigration Service office with jurisdiction over your area before applying.