Reporting a change of address to Immigration within 14 days in Korea
Once you sign a new lease and get your Residence Card, Korean immigration wants your new address on file within 14 days. Here is the HiKorea form, the documents to upload, and why this step saves you trouble at renewal time.
Park English2026-10-263 min read
You found an apartment, signed the lease, and moved your two suitcases in. Good. Now there is one more form standing between you and forgetting this ever happened: the change of residence report.
Korean law requires registered foreigners to tell immigration when they move, and the clock starts the day you move in, not the day you sign. You have 14 days of moving to a new address, including weekends and holidays, and after that window closes, you can only report in person at the local immigration office, where a fine may be applied. Nobody wants to find that out at the counter.
Do it on HiKorea, not at the window
The fastest route is online. Address change notification through HiKorea's online filing is processed within three business days and has no fee, following the flow of signing up, choosing Online Filing, selecting Address Change Notification, and entering your new address. You will need an active HiKorea account tied to your ARC number. If this is your first time logging in, you may need your phone verified or a quick visit to set it up, so give yourself a day of buffer before the deadline rather than filing on day 13.
Here is what to have ready before you start the form:
| Document | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Passport | Identity check |
| Alien Registration Card (Residence Card) | Links the report to your file |
| Proof of the new address | Usually your signed lease agreement |
You can also visit the office in person or go to your local gu office or dong community center instead of filing online, if you'd rather hand someone the papers directly.
Why this step matters more than it looks
Your landlord or your school's HR person filing a move-in report with the local ward office does not count as your immigration report. A Korean spouse, landlord, or household head reporting the move does not automatically update your individual immigration record, and the same logic applies to roommates or your director. This one is on you, personally.
And it is not just paperwork for paperwork's sake. When your E-2 contract comes up and you file for an extension, immigration checks your registered address against what is on file. If the two do not match because you moved apartments eight months ago and never reported it, that mismatch can slow down a renewal appointment or send you back to fix it first. Keeping the address current now means one less thing to untangle later.
If you miss the 14 days
It happens. Moving is chaotic, boxes everywhere, and the form slips your mind. Once the 14-day window has passed, the electronic filing option closes, and you need to visit your local immigration office in person to report, which may bring a fine. We cannot tell you the exact amount, since it varies by case and office discretion, so if you are past the deadline, call the immigration hotline at 1345 before you go in, and bring your lease either way.
One honest note: HiKorea's address field distinguishes road-name addresses from the older lot-number system, and new apartment complexes sometimes list differently on the lease than on the building's official registration. If the system rejects your entry, do not guess. Call 1345 or ask your placement coordinator which format your building uses before you resubmit.