Korea Re-Entry Permit Guide (2026)
If you live in Korea on a long-term visa and want to take a trip home, the question that matters is simple but high-stakes: will leaving cost you your visa? A re-entry permit is the safeguard that lets you leave and come back without losing your status and Residence Card (ARC). The good news is that short trips are usually exempt; the trap is long absences, where leaving without the right permission can quietly invalidate your status. This page explains the under-1-year exemption, who still needs a permit, how to apply before you go, and the fee — honestly, with the official sources that decide each case.
What a re-entry permit does
A re-entry permit is permission for a registered long-term resident to leave Korea and return without giving up their visa status and ARC. The key gates below are widely reported, but immigration sets the exact rules, so treat this as orientation.
1. The under-1-year exemption
2. Longer absences need a permit
3. Apply before you leave
4. Some statuses have their own rules
Fees & single vs multiple entry
If you do need a permit, there are tiered fees and permit types. The figures below are widely reported but set officially and subject to change.
| Item | What to know (verify officially) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Tiered amounts, commonly cited around KRW 30,000 / 50,000 / 80,000 depending on the permit type. Confirm the current fee for your permit. |
| Single vs multiple entry | A single-entry permit covers one departure/return; a multiple-entry permit covers several within its validity. Choose based on your travel plans. |
| Where to apply | Local immigration office or a self-service kiosk (including at major offices and the airport). The permit is usually recorded immediately. |
| Documents | Valid passport, your ARC, and the fee. Confirm the current document list before you go. |
The exemption, fees, permit types, and where to apply are set officially and change. Confirm everything for your specific status on HiKorea, via 1345, before you travel.
Why this matters: protecting your status & ARC
The reason to take this seriously: if you leave for longer than the exemption allows without a valid re-entry permit, your long-term status can lapse and your Residence Card (ARC) can become invalid — meaning you may not be able to return on your existing visa and might have to reapply from abroad. If your period of stay is also running low, look at the extension process before you travel. Always confirm your situation officially first.
Frequently asked questions
What is a re-entry permit?
Permission for a long-term resident to leave Korea and return without losing their visa status and ARC. Without the right permission for a long absence, leaving can be treated as giving up your status. Verify your situation officially.
Do I need one for a trip under a year?
Most registered long-term residents are commonly exempt if away under 1 year and within their period of stay. For longer absences you generally must apply before leaving. Confirm the exemption on HiKorea.
How do I apply?
Apply before leaving Korea (not from abroad), at your local immigration office or a self-service kiosk, with your passport, ARC, and fee. The permit is usually recorded immediately. Confirm the process on HiKorea.
How much does it cost?
Tiered fees, commonly cited around KRW 30,000 / 50,000 / 80,000 depending on the permit type (e.g. single vs multiple entry). The exact current fee is set officially — confirm it on HiKorea.
What if I leave without a needed permit?
Your long-term status can lapse and your ARC can become invalid, so you may not be able to return on your existing visa and might have to reapply from abroad. Always confirm whether you need a permit before a long trip.