I lost my Alien Registration Card. How do I get a new one, and how long does it take?

If you lost your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증), make a visit reservation on HiKorea, then go to your local immigration office (출입국·외국인관서) on the reserved day and apply for reissuance. The fee is 35,000 KRW. Processing used to be immediate, but these days it takes about 2 to 3 weeks.

Documents you need

• Passport: to confirm your identity
• 1 color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm): for the new card
• Fee of 35,000 KRW: pay in cash or with a revenue stamp
• If you lost the card, you do not need to hand in the old Alien Registration Card.

Steps

1. Report the loss: You can report the loss online on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr), 24 hours a day. This stops others from using your lost card.
2. Make a visit reservation: Reserve on HiKorea or Government24 (정부24, gov.kr). You can reserve any day of the year. You must reserve by the day before your visit.
3. Visit and apply: On your reserved day, take your documents to your local immigration office (office or branch office) and apply.
4. Check the result: If it is not processed the same day, you can check the status in the civil application status page.

💡 Good to know

• Corporate investment (D-8) visa holders do not pay the fee. Argentine nationals under 14 are also exempt.
• During the 2 to 3 weeks of waiting, banking and identity checks may be hard. Keep your passport with you.
• Photo size rules differ a little between guides. Check with the office where you booked, or call 1345, before you go.

Check the exact processing time and documents once more on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).