Moving Address as a Foreign Resident in Korea

Why Report Your Address Change?

In Korea, foreign residents are required to report changes to their residential address. This is important for maintaining accurate records with immigration authorities. Failing to report an address change within the official timeframe can lead to administrative issues.

Understanding Official Deadlines

For a registered foreign resident, current HiKorea guidance states 15 days from moving into the new place of stay. For an Overseas Korean (F-4) domestic-residence reporter, it states 14 days. Different registration categories can follow different rules, so verify which one applies to you.

How to Find Your Specific Requirements

Because requirements differ, your first step is to identify the official process and deadline that applies to your specific situation. You will need to confirm this with official sources:

Immigration Contact Center (1345): ask for current guidance based on your registration and residence circumstances. Call charges and access can depend on how and where you call.

HiKorea information portal: Visit the official HiKorea website. Look for sections related to "Foreigner registration guidance" or "Change of residence."

Local Immigration Office: If you prefer in-person assistance, you can visit your nearest immigration office. However, it's often best to check online or call first to understand what documents you might need.

General Documents You Might Need

Ask which identity or registration record, report form, and evidence of the new residence are accepted for your route.

If another person files or provides residence confirmation, ask whether a representative document or additional identity evidence is required.

Use the official checklist for the selected online or in-person office; do not assume that a lease alone is sufficient.

Record Keeping for Your Address Change

After you report your address change, keep a record of the confirmation. This might be a receipt from the immigration office, an updated ARC with your new address, or a screenshot of an online confirmation. This record can be helpful for future reference.

What to do step by step

1. This guide explains the importance of reporting address changes for foreign residents in Korea. It emphasizes that specific requirements, including deadlines, vary by individual circumstances and must be confirmed through official government channels.

What this guide assumes

• The user is a foreign resident in Korea with an Alien Registration Card (ARC).
• The user understands that official requirements are subject to change and need direct confirmation.
• The user has basic English comprehension.

Example

John plans to move and opens the current HiKorea change-of-residence guidance. He confirms the deadline, eligible reporting channel, and accepted proof for his registration circumstances, files through that route, and keeps the confirmation rather than assuming that an old card-and-lease checklist still applies.

Limits and cautions

• This guide does not provide specific deadlines, document lists, or procedures for reporting an address change, as these vary by individual circumstances and visa type.
• It cannot determine if a user has met their reporting obligations.
• Official requirements must always be confirmed through the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or the HiKorea information portal.

Frequently asked questions