English

Permanent residence, overseas Koreans & family stay

How to Apply for Foreigner Registration and Extension of Stay — Registration Within 90 Days, Report of Change Within 15 Days, Extension Before Expiry

A foreigner who intends to stay for more than 90 days from the date of entry completes foreigner registration within those 90 days at the immigration office having jurisdiction over the place of stay. After registration, if the name, nationality or passport information changes, a report of change is filed within 15 days, and after a move, a report of change of place of stay is filed within 15 days from the date of moving in. To stay beyond the period of stay, you must obtain permission for extension before the period ends, and in practice applications are usually accepted from 4 months before expiry.

Written by Hwang Yunsang, Administrative Agent · Published 2026-10-03 · Updated 2026-10-05

Procedure

  1. 1. Foreigner registration (within 90 days of entry)

    Complete foreigner registration at the immigration office having jurisdiction over your place of stay. A person who comes to stay for more than 90 days by obtaining permission for change of status of stay registers at the time of receiving that permission.

  2. 2. Report changes (within 15 days)

    If your name, sex, date of birth or nationality, or your passport number, date of issue or expiry date changes, file a report of change in foreigner registration details within 15 days. If you move, file a move-in report within 15 days from the date of moving in, at the city, county or district (si/gun/gu) office or the eup/myeon/dong community service center for the new place of stay, or at the immigration office.

  3. 3. Apply for extension of the period of stay (before expiry)

    Before the period of stay ends, submit the application for permission for extension and the documents required for your status of stay. File through the Hi Korea e-application service or by booking a visit, and at times when visit bookings are backed up, count back from the expiry date and apply early.

  4. 4. Change the status of stay if your activities change

    To engage in activities different from your current status of stay, obtain permission for change of status of stay in advance, before starting the new activity. Taking up employment after finishing your studies also requires the change permit before you start work. The rule allowing the permit to be obtained within 30 days from the date of a change in status applies only to people exempt from foreigner registration, such as diplomats, staff of international organizations and their families.

  5. 5. Check the result and respond to a denial

    If permission is granted, the permitted period is entered on the residence card. If it is denied, check the reasons in the notice and decide within the deadline whether to supplement and apply again or to contest the denial through an administrative appeal.

Required documents

  • Integrated application form (foreigner registration, extension of the period of stay, change of status of stay, etc.)
  • Passport, and residence card (residence card) for an extension or change
  • 1 photograph (for foreigner registration)
  • Proof of place of stay (lease contract, confirmation of accommodation provision, etc.)
  • Documents by status of stay (certificate of enrollment, employment contract, marriage-related documents, etc.)
  • Fee

Fees

At Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office, the service fee starts from 170,000 won for an electronic application for extension of the period of stay, from 250,000 won for an in-person application, and from 350,000 won for permission for change of status of stay. Government fees are separate: 48,000 won for an electronic application and 60,000 won for an in-person application for extension of the period of stay, and 100,000 won for a change of status of stay. We will advise you of the fee after a consultation, depending on your status of stay and circumstances.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

  • Immigration Act, Article 24
  • Immigration Act, Article 25
  • Immigration Act, Article 31
  • Immigration Act, Article 35
  • Immigration Act, Article 36
  • Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Article 31
  • Immigration Act, Article 98
  • Immigration Act, Article 100

Checked against the statutes on

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

  • Exceeding the expiry date of the period of stay by even one day makes your stay illegal. Check the permitted period on the back of your residence card and apply early.

Frequently asked questions

By when after entry must I complete foreigner registration?
Within 90 days from the date of entry. It applies to foreigners who intend to stay for more than 90 days, and the application is made at the immigration office having jurisdiction over the place of stay.
Do I have to report if I move or get a new passport?
Yes. If your passport number or expiry date changes, file a report of change in foreigner registration details within 15 days, and if you move, file a report of change of place of stay within 15 days from the date of moving in. If you are late, a late report of change in registration details is subject to an administrative fine of up to 1,000,000 won and a late report of change of place of stay is subject to a criminal fine of up to 1,000,000 won, and it may be viewed unfavorably in the next extension review.
From when can I apply for an extension of the period of stay?
You must apply before the period of stay ends, and in practice applications are usually accepted from 4 months before expiry. Passing the expiry date makes your stay illegal, so if a visit is hard to book, file through the e-application service first.
What should I do if the extension of the period of stay is denied?
First check the reasons in the notice of denial. If documents were lacking, supplement them and apply again, and if the reasons are unjust, you can file an administrative appeal within 90 days from the date you become aware of the disposition.
Does an administrative agent handle foreigner registration or extension of the period of stay?
Yes. Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office organizes the document list for each status of stay, prepares the integrated application form, files through the e-application service or in person on your behalf, and responds to requests for supplementation.

Other guides in this area

Contact us

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office in Songdo, Incheon prepares and submits administrative documents and explains the procedure. If your situation is similar, send us a message.

📞 Call 010-3374-2687 💬 KakaoTalk 📅 Book a free 1-hour consultation 💬 WhatsApp ✍️ Request a consultation for this service
See the related service Fees and official charges

📍 2697, 26F POSCO Tower-Songdo, 165 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea · 📞 010-3374-2687 · 🌐 hwangadmin.com

This guide is general information based on public sources. Requirements, documents and deadlines differ by case and by the competent agency, so please confirm them before you proceed.