Korea Visa & ARC Expiration Tracker Immigration Act · Apr 2026
Enter your visa or ARC expiry date — see how many days are left and when to start your renewal.
Renewal timeline (recommended)
- 4 months before: earliest application window opens. HiKorea online slots open ~3 months ahead.
- 2-3 months before (ideal): book a HiKorea appointment + gather documents (passport, employment contract, bank statements, proof of address).
- 1 month before: submit application. If documents are missing, you still have buffer.
- Last 30 days: risk zone — Seoul / Suwon / Suji walk-in slots typically full. Last-minute submissions may push you past expiry.
- Day 0 (expiry): if still unrenewed → you're in 'lapse'. Apply for extension or leave Korea before midnight to avoid overstay penalties.
⚠ General guidance — exact timing/documents vary by visa type and immigration office. Always verify on hikorea.go.kr or call ☎ 1345 (Korea Immigration Contact Center, English available).
📌 Official Sources · References
- Korea Immigration Service — HiKorea · Official portal for visa renewal, extension procedures, processing time by visa type (E-7, E-9, F-2, F-5, F-6, D-2, D-10)
- Korea National Law Information Center — Immigration Act (출입국관리법) · Legal basis for visa validity periods, renewal requirements, and overstay penalties (₩100,000–10,000,000 + entry ban up to 10 years)
- Korea Immigration Service (KIS) · Authoritative source for visa policy + Contact Center (☎ 1345 in 19 languages)
- Ministry of Justice (MOJ) — Immigration Policy · Official channel for visa policy changes by category
This tracker provides general timeline reference based on the Korean Immigration Act and HiKorea published guidelines. Visa renewal eligibility, required documents, and processing time vary significantly by visa type, individual circumstances, and the issuing immigration office. Overstay penalties are strictly enforced — always verify your case directly with HiKorea or call ☎ 1345 before relying on any reminder.
FAQ
How early should I apply for renewal?
Korea Immigration accepts applications up to 4 months before expiry. Conservative timing: book a HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or local immigration office appointment 2-3 months before expiry, since slots fill up quickly in Seoul / Suwon / Suji. Last-minute renewals risk overstay penalties and 'lapse in lawful status'.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying triggers fines (₩100,000 ~ ₩10M depending on duration), possible departure orders, and a re-entry ban (1-10 years). If you accidentally overstayed by 1-2 days, self-report to the immigration office immediately — penalties are usually waived or reduced. Anything beyond 30 days typically blocks future Korean visa applications.
What's the difference between visa and ARC?
Visa = entry permission stamped/printed in passport (issued by Korean embassy abroad). ARC (Alien Registration Card / 외국인등록증) = the physical ID card you receive after arriving in Korea, issued by your local immigration office. ARC has its own expiry date (usually = visa expiry, but check both). Day-to-day life in Korea — banking, phone contracts, rentals — uses ARC, not your visa.
Can I leave and re-enter Korea while ARC is being renewed?
Only if you have a multi-entry visa AND request a re-entry permit before leaving (now mostly automatic for valid ARC holders). Single-entry visa: leaving voids the visa, you'll need a new one to return. Always check hikorea.go.kr for current re-entry rules before booking flights.
Which visa types apply to this tracker?
Any Korean residence visa: D-2 (student), D-4 (training), D-7/D-8/D-10 (work, business, job-seeking), E-1~E-7 (professional employment), F-1 (visit), F-2 (resident), F-4 (overseas Korean), F-5 (permanent resident), F-6 (marriage). Tourist B-1/B-2 also has a 'period of stay' (90 days for most countries) that you can track. The tracker uses any expiry date, regardless of category.