Where do I get the tax payment certificate (납세증명서) needed for a visa extension?

You get it at the tax office (National Tax Service, 국세청). Apply at the tax office that covers your home address (or your workplace). They issue it right away. Before you go, also check whether you can use Hometax (hometax.go.kr).

How to do it

1. Take your ID (Alien Registration Card) to the tax office that covers your home address. If the National Tax Service has set a different office for issuing, get it there.
2. Write your address (or residence), name, purpose of use, and number of copies, and apply. For the purpose, write "for permission to extend period of stay."
3. After checking, it is issued immediately. The tax payment certificate is one of the National Tax Service's same-day certificates.
4. If someone else goes for you, they need a power of attorney (with your signature or seal), a copy of your ID, and the agent's own ID.

💡 Good to know

• It is valid for 30 days from the issue date. Get it to match the date of your extension application.
• You can also get it from the unmanned civil service kiosks at the Government Complex Service Center (정부종합행정센터). The tax payment certificate is among the certificates available from 08:00 to 22:00.
• Not every status of stay requires a tax payment certificate. Required documents differ by status, so first check the document list for your status on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr).
• If you have unpaid taxes, it may be hard to get the certificate. Pay them first.

For the exact issuing method, check once more with the National Tax Service Customer Satisfaction Center (126) or the Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center (1345).