Immigration and Residence Registration Expressions

Visiting the Immigration Office: Procedures and Documents

The Immigration and Foreigners Office (출입국·외국인사무소) handles tasks such as extending a foreign national's period of stay and reissuing an alien registration card (외국인등록증). Applications for extending the period of stay are also made at this office, so when asked where to apply, answer '출입국·외국인사무소(Immigration and Foreigners Office)'.

To extend your period of stay, you must apply for an extension permit at the Immigration and Foreigners Office before the stay expires. After expiration, fines may be imposed, so do not miss the deadline. As the expiration date approaches, many applicants crowd in, so it is good to visit with time to spare before the deadline. The office is closed on weekends and open only on weekdays, so the visit date must be set for a weekday. Each office has set operating hours, so you must arrive before closing time.

When applying to extend your period of stay, you must bring your passport, alien registration card, and a certificate of employment issued by your company. A copy of your employment contract may also be required as a document proving the reason for your stay, so grasp the list of preparations in advance and do not forget anything. Passport-size photos can be taken in advance at a nearby photo studio, and the application form can be filled out on site at the office.

If you lose your alien registration card, first report the loss at a police station, and then take the confirmation you receive to the Immigration and Foreigners Office to apply for reissuance. Here, the place to go is the Immigration and Foreigners Office; a travel agency or photo studio is not an agency that reissues cards.