Lost Your ARC Card in Korea? How to Report It and Get a…

Losing your ARC (Alien Registration Card, the foreigner ID issued in Korea) is stressful, but it is a routine fix. Every foreign resident, from D-2 students to F-6 marriage migrants, runs into this at some point. Your ARC proves your legal stay, links to your bank account, and is requested for phone contracts and hospital visits. Without it, daily errands stall. The good news: the reissue procedure is standardized nationwide and handled by the Korea Immigration Service.

This guide walks through reporting the loss, the alien registration card reissue procedure, the fee, the paperwork, and how to book an office visit. Korea alien registration card application

What should you do first when your ARC is lost?

Report the loss as soon as possible, then apply for a reissue. You can report online through HiKorea or in person at an Immigration Office. There is no separate police report requirement for a lost ARC, unlike a lost passport. Reporting protects you if someone misuses the card and starts the official reissue record.

Why reporting matters

Your ARC carries your registration number and address. If it is found and misused, the report on file shows you flagged it. The how to report lost ARC card Immigration Office step is simple: log in to HiKorea, choose the civil application menu, and submit a loss declaration. If you prefer, you can skip the online step and declare the loss at the counter when you arrive to apply for the new card.

Note that losing your ARC does not change your visa status. Your stay permit remains valid; only the physical card needs replacing. HiKorea visa application status tracking

What documents do you need for an ARC reissue?

Bring the integrated application form, your passport, and one color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm, taken within 6 months). If your card was damaged rather than lost, bring the damaged card too. Some offices ask for proof of address if yours changed. These are the core required documents ARC reissue Korea, but confirm extras with your local office before you go.

The standard checklist

The Ministry of Justice standardizes the paperwork through HiKorea. For most applicants you need:

• The integrated application form (tonghap sincheongseo, Form 34), available at the office or on HiKorea
• Your original passport
• One recent passport-style photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
• The reissue fee of 30,000 KRW
• A reason-for-reissue note (lost, stolen, or damaged)

Students on a D-2 visa or workers on an E-7 visa use the same form. Marriage migrants on F-6 and overseas Koreans on F-4 follow the identical document set. The card type differs, but the reissue paperwork does not.

“Where a registered foreigner has lost their alien registration card or it has become unusable, they shall apply for reissuance of the alien registration card.” - Immigration Act, as published in English by the Ministry of Government Legislation

How much is the reissue fee, and how do you pay?

The lost foreigner ID replacement fee is 30,000 KRW. You pay at the Immigration Office by revenue stamp (suip injuji) or by card at the on-site kiosk. Keep the receipt until you collect the new card. The fee is the same nationwide regardless of your visa type, and it applies to lost, stolen, and damaged cards alike.

Paying without surprises

Most offices accept card payment now, but smaller branches may still rely on revenue stamps sold at an on-site bank counter or convenience kiosk. Bring cash as a backup. The 30,000 KRW figure is set by the Korea Immigration Service and has been stable, though fees can change, so verify the current amount on HiKorea before your visit. There is no extra charge for the loss report itself.

How do you book an Immigration Office appointment?

Walk-ins are limited, so book ahead. Use the nearest Immigration Office appointment booking system on HiKorea: log in, choose visit reservation, pick your office, and select a date and time. Reservations open about a month out and fill quickly in metro areas like Seoul and Suwon. Bring your reservation confirmation, on paper or on your phone.

Finding and reserving your office

Korea has regional Immigration Offices and smaller branch offices, each covering set districts. The HiKorea reservation menu lists which office serves your address. Popular offices, such as the Seoul Southern and Suwon offices, can be booked out for weeks, so reserve early. If no slots appear, check a neighboring jurisdiction or try the morning slot release. The Government24 portal can help you confirm your administrative district if you are unsure which office to choose. HiKorea immigration office appointment booking

How long does the reissue take, and what about your bank and phone?

Processing usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks, and you collect the new card in person or by registered mail if offered. While you wait, your visa status stays valid. For banks, carry your passport as backup ID. Your NHIS health coverage continues uninterrupted because it is tied to your registration number, not the physical card.

Managing daily life during the wait

Korean banks and telecom carriers often ask for the ARC, but your passport plus your registration number usually works as interim proof. If a bank insists on the card, ask for a temporary hold rather than account closure. The National Health Insurance Service keeps your enrollment active, so hospital visits and prescriptions are unaffected. Keep a photo of your old ARC on your phone for reference numbers, and update institutions once the new card arrives.

FAQ

The sections above cover the core reissue steps. The questions below handle the specific worries foreign residents raise most often.