Home › Lost Residence Card (ARC) Replacement

Lost Korea Residence Card (ARC)? How to Replace It (2026)

Last updated: July 17, 2026 · Always verify on hikorea.go.kr

General information for foreign residents · Last reviewed: July 2026

Losing your Residence Card (still widely called the ARC, or Alien Registration Card) is stressful, since it's your main ID in Korea — but the fix is straightforward. Report the loss, gather a couple of documents, pay a small fee, and a replacement is issued. This page walks through the report window, the documents, the fee, and roughly how long it takes.

Note: Reissue rules, fees, and processing times differ by immigration office and can change. This is general information, not legal advice. Always verify the exact requirements for your situation on hikorea.go.kr and with your district immigration office before going.

The 14-day report window

If your Residence Card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you're generally expected to report it within 14 days at your local immigration office (or online via HiKorea, where the office supports it), then apply for a replacement. Filing promptly also protects you if someone else finds and misuses the card. Confirm your specific office's reporting process on HiKorea before you go.

Step-by-step overview

1. File a lost/stolen report

Report at your district immigration office, or check HiKorea for an online reporting option. Some travelers also file a police report first if the card was stolen, which can help if it's later misused.

Report within 14 days

2. Book a HiKorea appointment (if required)

Many immigration offices require an online reservation through HiKorea for the office that serves your district. Walk-ins are often not accepted for reissue appointments either — book ahead.

Reserve at hikorea.go.kr

3. Bring your documents

Typically your passport, one recent passport photo, and the completed reissue application form. Some offices ask for a police report reference number if the card was stolen. Verify the exact list for your case.

Passport + photo + application form

4. Pay the reissue fee

The reissue fee is commonly cited around KRW 30,000, though issuance fees have been reported as high as KRW 35,000 since a 2025 update. Fees change — confirm the current amount at your office.

Confirm the current fee at your office

5. Wait for the replacement card

Reported processing time is commonly around 2–3 weeks, though it varies by office and season. Ask whether a temporary confirmation slip is available in the meantime, especially if you need to travel or verify your status.

Processing time varies by office

Travel tip, not visa advice: while you wait for a replacement card, you may still need to verify your identity for phone, banking or travel bookings — a working Korean phone number and a copy of your passport and any interim confirmation slip can help in the meantime.

Compare Korea travel eSIMs

Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Lost ARC replacement checklist

0/5 ready

Bring these to your immigration office visit — report within 14 days of noticing the card is gone. Book a HiKorea slot in advance if your office requires one. Progress saves only in this browser.

Lost/stolen report filedAt the immigration office, or online via HiKorea where supported — plus a police report if stolen.
HiKorea reservation (if required)Book your immigration-office visit in advance at hikorea.go.kr.
PassportYour current passport with valid visa/entry stamp.
One recent passport photoPlain white background, similar to your original ARC application photo.
Reissue feeCommonly cited around KRW 30,000–35,000 — confirm the current fee and accepted payment method at your office.

This checklist is a planning aid, not the official requirement list. Exact documents, fees and processing times are set by Korean Immigration and can change — verify on hikorea.go.kr before submitting.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do if I lose my Korea Residence Card (ARC)?

Report the loss within 14 days at your local immigration office (or, where available, online via HiKorea), then apply for a replacement card. Bring your passport and a passport photo, and pay the reissue fee. Confirm the exact steps for your office on hikorea.go.kr.

How much does it cost to replace a lost ARC?

The reissue fee is commonly cited around KRW 30,000, though issuance fees have been reported as high as KRW 35,000 since a 2025 update. Fees change and vary by office — confirm the current amount on HiKorea before you go.

How long does a replacement Residence Card take?

Reported processing time is commonly around 2 to 3 weeks after you file the lost report and submit your application, though this varies by office and season. Ask your immigration office for their current estimate.

Can I travel or work while waiting for a replacement ARC?

This depends on your immigration office and visa type — some issue a temporary confirmation slip while your replacement is processed. Ask your office directly what documentation you can use in the meantime, especially before any travel.

Is the Alien Registration Card the same as the Residence Card?

Yes — the card was officially renamed from Alien Registration Card (ARC) to Residence Card in 2021, and both names are still used interchangeably. If you hold an older card that hasn't expired, it typically remains valid until renewal.

Reminder: report windows, fees, and processing times depend on your immigration office and can change. Do not treat this page as final. Confirm everything on hikorea.go.kr and with your immigration office. This is not legal advice.