Korea Immigration Office & HiKorea Guide (2026)
Almost every visa task in Korea runs through one place: HiKorea, the official immigration portal. Whether you're extending a visa, changing status, or registering, you'll usually start by booking a visit reservation or filing an e-Application there — and most offices no longer take walk-ins. This page explains honestly how HiKorea, the immigration offices, and the 1345 helpline fit together, and points you to the official sources for the final word.
What HiKorea is for
HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) is the official online portal of Korea's immigration services for foreign residents. It is where most people start an immigration task. The site is reported to support Korean, English, and Chinese. Treat HiKorea and the Korea Immigration Service as the authoritative source over any third-party guide — including this one.
1. Reserve an office visit
2. File an e-Application
3. Find your office by address
4. Get help on 1345
How to book a visit reservation
Booking is the step most newcomers stumble on, so here's the honest shape of it:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Open HiKorea | Go to hikorea.go.kr and choose the "Reserve Visit" option |
| Member or non-member | You can usually book as a HiKorea member or as a non-member |
| Pick the right office | Select the office that serves your registered address |
| Choose the service category | Pick the booth/category that matches your task (e.g. residence-related) |
| Pick a slot | Available slots can be limited — book early, and bring all required documents |
The exact booking screens, available booth categories, and which services need a visit versus online filing change over time. Confirm the current steps on HiKorea or by calling 1345 — do not assume a remembered flow.
Which tasks use HiKorea
Most of the guides on this site route through HiKorea at some point. For example: filing a visa extension, a change of visa status, registering for your Residence Card (ARC), or applying for a re-entry permit. Whether each one is fully online or needs an in-person visit depends on the task — check on HiKorea.
Book early, act before deadlines
Because reservations can fill up and most offices don't take walk-ins, the safe habit is to book well before any deadline — especially extensions, which can usually be filed in advance. Letting a deadline pass risks an overstay, which is far more costly than booking early.
Frequently asked questions
What is HiKorea?
The official online portal of Korea's immigration services for foreign residents — for visit reservations, e-Applications (extensions, status changes), and living-in-Korea info. It's the main online entry point.
Do I need an appointment?
In most cases, yes — most offices require a reservation and don't take walk-ins. Book via "Reserve Visit" on HiKorea for the office that serves your address.
Which office serves me?
Generally the one with jurisdiction over your residential address. HiKorea helps you pick it; 1345 can guide you if unsure.
What is 1345?
Korea's immigration helpline for foreigners, with multilingual support reported. Dial 1345 from within Korea (no area code) for guidance — final decisions still come from immigration.
Can I do everything online?
Many tasks can be filed online via e-Application, but some still need an in-person visit (e.g. certain registrations and biometrics). Check on HiKorea which applies to your case.