Seoul Immigration Office Has Moved to Munjeong-dong! 🏢

🧭 What changed?

The Seoul Office has made a new start at its new Munjeong-dong building. The opening ceremony was held on October 30, and the address is in the Beopjo Town area of Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. The press release only says that this date was the opening ceremony.

The old building had aging facilities and not enough work space or parking. It reportedly struggled to handle the growing number of civil service requests from foreigners and overseas Koreans. The new building was built to solve these problems 💡

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Foreign resident living in Seo

Where did the Seoul Office move to?

Kevi

To a newly built building in the Beopjo Town area of Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. It made a fresh start in the new building after using the Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu building since 1990. Please double-check the location and address of your appointment before you visit.

🪑 How much will counters and waiting change?

The new building has 3 times the civil service space of the old one. Because of this, it reportedly aims to reduce waiting times and create a more comfortable environment. What the materials actually state is that the space is 3 times bigger.

The press release does not say how many minutes waiting times will actually be cut. So it's fine to be hopeful, but on the day you visit, it's safer to leave yourself some extra time 😮

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Foreign resident living in Seo

Will waiting times definitely go down?

Kevi

The Ministry of Justice explains that it plans to reduce waiting times by making the space 3 times larger. The materials don't say how much they will go down. For details, check the original article or call 1345.

📞 The 1345 Center and Online Civil Service Center are in one place too

Before, some services had to rent outside buildings because of a lack of space. These were the "1345 Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center" and the "Online Stay and Visa Civil Service Center." Now both have been combined and placed inside the new building.

The goal is to handle online and offline work more efficiently. However, the press release says nothing about phone numbers or ways to use the services changing 🙂

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Foreign resident living in Seo

Will the 1345 phone number change too?

Kevi

The press release says nothing about a number change. It only explains that the centers have been combined and placed inside the new building. Please check with 1345 on how to use them.

🙋 How does this affect me?

If you handle immigration matters in the Seoul area, be sure to keep in mind that the place you need to visit may have changed. The press release announces the opening of the new building and facility improvements. It does not say that visa screening standards or fees are changing.

If you've already made an appointment, look again at the place and time written on your confirmation. Checking once more before you go can save you a wasted trip ✅

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Foreign resident living in Seo

Have the visa application standards changed too?

Kevi

No, the press release says nothing like that. It is news about the building move and improvements to facilities and services. If you're curious about the standards, please contact 1345.

🏠 If you moved, don't forget this report separately

The office moving does not change how you report your own address. When a foreigner moves, they must report a change of residence within 15 days of the move date. It is stated that a fine may be imposed if you miss the deadline.

You can report at the immigration office with jurisdiction (office/branch), the community center (주민센터) for your new address, or Government24 (정부24, online only for eligible people). Whether it's possible may differ depending on your status of stay. What to bring: your passport or Alien Registration Card, and a document confirming your new address (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, dormitory fee receipt, etc.) 📄

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Foreign resident living in Seo

Do I have to go to the Seoul Office to report a change of residence?

Kevi

No. You can also do it at the community center for your new address. Under the Immigration Act, a change of residence report takes the place of a move-in report. However, whether it's possible may vary by status of stay, so please check with 1345.

✅ What to do now, step by step

1. 1If you plan to visit the Seoul Office, recheck the place and time on your appointment confirmation.
2. 2If you plan to go to the new Munjeong-dong building, find out the route and travel time in advance.
3. 3Call the 1345 Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center to confirm where you need to go for your task.
4. 4If you moved, report your change of residence at a community center or immigration office within 15 days of the move date.