When will my Alien Registration Card be ready after I apply, and how do I receive it?

The Alien Registration Card is usually ready about 2 to 3 weeks after you apply. You pick it up in person at the immigration office where you applied, or you receive it by the method you chose when applying (such as mail). The exact time can differ by office and time of year.

Note that the alien registration application itself is made in person, and the processing time is listed as immediate (within 3 hours during working hours). But this is the standard for accepting and processing the registration. Making the physical card takes extra time.

How you receive it

1. Pick up in person: The Alien Registration Card is issued by the immigration office with jurisdiction over your address (지방출입국·외국인관서). When the card is ready, you collect it at the office where you applied.
2. Receive by mail: In many cases, you can choose mail delivery when you apply. Your address in Korea must be correct for this.
3. Mobile Alien Registration Card: HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) has a separate guide called "Mobile Alien Registration Card Issuance."

⚠️ Things to watch out for

• A foreign national who will stay in Korea for more than 90 days must register within 90 days of the date of entry.
• You can prove your registration even before you get the card. If needed, you can get a "Certificate of Alien Registration Fact" (외국인등록 사실증명) from immigration.
• If your card is lost or damaged, you can apply for a reissue. The reissue fee is 35,000 KRW. Only this fee is paid in cash or with a revenue stamp.
• Foreign nationals must carry their passport or Alien Registration Card at all times. People under 17 are excluded.

The card issue date and the way you receive it differ by office, so be sure to ask the staff when you apply. You can also check at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).