How long does it usually take to process a stay-related application?

Alien registration and the certificate of alien registration facts are usually processed immediately (within 3 hours during business hours). Review-based applications, such as extending your period of stay or changing your status of stay, have no fixed processing time. It depends on your personal situation and immigration circumstances.

By application type

• Alien registration: Processed immediately (within 3 hours during business hours). Apply within 90 days of your entry date at the immigration office (출입국·외국인관서) that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
• Certificate of alien registration facts (외국인등록 사실증명): Processed immediately (within 3 hours during business hours). The fee is 2,000 KRW per copy, and it is free online.
• Extension of stay / change of status: These are not just a document check. They involve a review. So it is hard to say exactly how many days it will take. It can usually take from a few days to a few weeks, so prepare with plenty of time.

⚠️ Things to watch out for

• Apply for an extension from 4 months before expiry until the day of expiry. If you applied before expiry, you can stay while you wait, even if the result comes late.
• If you apply after the expiry date, a fine will be imposed.
• If your documents are incomplete, you will be asked to supplement them, and this causes more delay. Check the required documents for your status of stay in advance.
• If visit appointments are fully booked, check whether your task can be done through the HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) e-application service. Also check often for canceled appointment slots.

If you tell me the type of application and your status of stay, I can give you more specific guidance. Check the exact processing time once more at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Helpline (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).