Getting an ARC Without HireVisa

What is an ARC?

In Korea, if you are a foreigner visiting for 90 days or more, you must register for a Foreigner Registration Card. If you have a single-entry D-2 Visa like me, you cannot leave the country until you have your ARC number. You may want to be able to visit Korea’s neighboring Asian countries while you're here which makes this process extremely important. Yonsei University is partnered with the organization HireVisa which makes the process easier by allowing Yonsei International students to apply all together. Because of this, you can get your registration number faster and start booking your flights!

My number one advice is to be diligent about checking your email and as soon as you see the HireVisa process window has opened, start uploading your documents as soon as possible! That way if you have issues with some of your documents, you have more time to resolve them and still have your application submitted within the window. 

Some friends and I had some issues using HireVisa so we had to apply on our own through the Immigration Office. This process was a little stressful, so I am writing this to help out someone who may be worried about not being able to travel.

ARC Process

Step 1: Book your appointment ASAP!

Go to https://www.hikorea.go.kr/Main.pt to schedule your appointment. The sooner you can do this the better because they are usually booked! Book the soonest time that works for you and if you’re really dedicated, you can check the portal multiple times a day as some people will cancel their appointments and a sooner time will open up. (This happened to my friend! What a stroke of luck!)  

Step 2: Gather your documents

You will need:

1. Your Passport
2. Cash(30,000 won = pickup ARC, 34,000 won = ARC delivered)
3. 30mm x 40 mm ID Photo
   1. Costs 10,000 won at Photobooth on Yonsei’s campus; it’s in the Commons, right next to the Global Lounge
4. Application Form
   1. Can be found here: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/board/BoardApplicationListR.pt
      1. Print and fill it out. They also have this form at the office so if you go to your appointment early, you can fill it out there.
5. Proof of Residence
   1. I live in SK Global House and this form was provided to us by the dorm
6. Certificate of Enrollment
   1. Students can issue this on their own through the Yonsei Portal; check your email when you arrive! Instructions will be sent to you for reference

Step 3: Visit the Office

You will need to go here:

[NAVER Map]

Seoul Nambu Immigration Foreigner Office

서울 강서구 마곡서1로 48

https://naver.me/5CW3IUrd

From SK, it’s a 50-minute bus ride so don’t forget your headphones! While there, you’ll give them your documents, and get fingerprinted and if you choose the pickup option, they’ll give you a Certificate of Registration with your ARC Card pickup date on it.

For information on your ARC status, call 1345

You can also reach out to the CIEE staff for help! They are very supportive and kind.

I hope this helped! Don’t stress, and enjoy your time in Korea!