If you're planning to live in South Korea for more than 90 days, applying for an Alien Registration Card (ARC card), also known as a Residence Card, is one of the first legal steps you’ll need to complete. This ID is your key to opening a bank account, signing a phone contract, getting health insurance, and legally staying in the country.
But many foreigners experience unexpected challenges in the ARC card application process, especially in 2025 as immigration systems become stricter and more digitized.
Common Problems in 2025:
A.) Lack of Proper Authorization or Ownership
Subletting: This is a major issue. Many people in South Korea may sublet their apartments or rooms, particularly to foreigners, without the landlord's explicit permission. This is often illegal according to their lease agreement. A host in this situation cannot provide a legal contract because they are not the legal owner or authorized leaseholder. In South Korea, contracts must be made with the actual owner.
B.) Legal and Financial Non-Compliance
Avoiding Taxes and Regulations: Just like everywhere else, some hosts in South Korea avoid registering their business and reporting rental income to evade taxes. Providing an official, signed contract would create a record that could be used by tax authorities.
C.) Issues with the Property Itself
Property Does Not Meet Standards: For a property to be legally rented out on a short-term basis in some cases, it must meet specific safety and building codes. An apartment that has been illegally modified or an "officetel" that is being used as a residential space for which it is not zoned would not meet these requirements.
Lack of Certificates: A landlord might not have the necessary certificates or be unwilling to provide them, as this could reveal non-compliance with building codes or safety regulations.
D.) Personal and Business Reasons
Informal Arrangements: The rental market in South Korea, particularly for short-term and sublet situations, can operate on a more informal basis. A host may not have the knowledge or inclination to create a formal, legally sound contract. This is especially true for foreigners seeking short-term accommodations who may not be familiar with the local legal system.
Foreigner's Alien Registration Card (ARC): Legitimate landlords in South Korea will often require a tenant to register their address on their ARC (Alien Registration Card) within 14 days of moving in. This process provides a clear legal record. An illegal host or subletter would be unable or unwilling to facilitate this, as it would expose their non-compliance
Verified platforms like Enkostay specialize in helping foreigners. In fact, many listings are marked as “RC document ready,” meaning the Residence Confirmation (RC) is instantly downloadable and pre-prepared by the host. This dramatically reduces delay and stress. If a listing isn’t marked, document requests are still possible. Plus, hosts are encouraged to upload the documents directly to the website, so you don’t need to be in Korea to receive them, simply download and fill them out from wherever you are.
Top 5 Issues Foreigners Face When Applying For Their ARC
1. Missing or Invalid Housing Documentation
Your ARC card application requires proof of residence, and this is where many applicants run into problems. Immigration needs to see a valid housing document, and the format depends on your type of accommodation:
Private housing (studio, one-room, officetel, villa): You need a signed lease agreement with your name on it.
University dormitory: Ask for an official dorm certificate or housing confirmation from your school.
Guesthouses or shared housing: You’ll need a Residence Confirmation Form (거주사실증명서) signed by the host or manager.
2. ARC Appointments: Delays, Deadlines & Misunderstandings
2025 UPDATE:
You cannot make an ARC card appointment before entering Korea, the system won’t recognize your information until you’ve passed immigration at the airport.
That said, appointments fill up quickly, especially in Seoul, Incheon, and Busan during February–March and August–September. Delays here are a major cause of missed deadlines and penalties.
Common issues:
No appointments available before your 90-day deadline
Not realizing that the application, not the card, must be submitted within 90 days
Booking too late and missing eligibility
Not knowing a booking confirmation alone counts as timely submission
✅ Tip:
Once you arrive in Korea, go to HiKorea and book your ARC card appointment immediately. If your local immigration office is full, check nearby districts or cities. You’ll receive a certificate of application (신청서 접수 확인서) at your appointment, which legally allows you to stay in Korea while the ARC card is processed.
3. Mismatched or Incomplete Personal Documents
Seemingly small errors, like spelling mistakes or mismatched names, can trigger delays or denials in your ARC card application.
Top mistakes:
Names that don’t match your passport exactly (especially middle names or abbreviations)
Passport numbers that were entered incorrectly
Using a student visa (D-2) but submitting tourist paperwork
Submitting a lease or school letter with an old or incorrect address
✅ Tip:
Make sure your passport, lease, school records, and visa documents all use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your passport. And double-check that all addresses match across documents.
Looking for places to stay in Korea? Book now with Enkostay, click the banner below to start exploring RC-Document Ready Accommodations
4. Missing Supporting Documents (Visa-Specific)
Depending on your visa type, you’ll need to submit additional documentation beyond your lease and passport.
By visa type:
D-2 Student Visa:
Certificate of enrollment
Proof of tuition payment
Dorm or rental housing document
D-10 Job-Seeker Visa:
Resume
Proof of previous employment or education
ARC-supporting lease
E-2 English Teacher Visa / E-7 Work Visa:
Employment certificate
Copy of employer’s business registration
Signed contract
✅ Tip:
Check your specific visa requirements on HiKorea or call 1345 (Immigration Helpline) and ask in English. It’s better to over-prepare than risk rejection.
5. Language Barriers & System Confusion
Many first-time applicants find the ARC card process confusing, especially when facing Korean-language websites, documents, or immigration staff who may not speak fluent English.
Common struggles:
Immigration office staff may not speak fluent English
Signage or appointment platforms are often poorly translated
You're unsure how to track or update your ARC card after applying
Misinformation from outdated blogs or Reddit posts
✅ Tip:
Bring a Korean-speaking friend or coworker to your appointment if possible. Use translation apps like Papago for forms and signage. If you’re booking housing through Enkostay, their team can often assist with instructions and clarify document requirements. You can also call 1345 (the Korean Immigration Helpline) for English support, no Korean SIM required.
👉 Bonus: Many of Enkostay’s hosts speak English and are used to working with foreign travelers. Whether it’s helping with document prep or explaining local procedures, our listings are tailored to meet the needs of international guests.
What You Can (and Can’t) Do While Waiting for Your ARC Card
After you submit your ARC card application at the immigration office, you’ll receive a Certificate of Application (신청서 접수 확인서), this is your legal proof that you're allowed to stay in Korea while your ARC is being processed.
But many foreigners are unsure what this certificate allows them to do in the meantime.
✅ What You Can Do with the Certificate of Application:
Stay in Korea legally beyond the 90-day deadline
Enroll in NHIS (National Health Insurance Service) using the Certificate of Application (신청서 접수 확인서)
Apply for a phone plan or SIM card at some carriers (especially if they’re familiar with foreigner registration)
Open a Korean bank account (some banks like Woori, Hana, or KEB will accept the certificate, but not all branches will)
Work or attend school (as long as your visa type allows it)
❌ What You Can’t Do (or Might Struggle With):
Travel internationally without a re-entry permit
You must apply separately for a permit before leaving Korea, or your visa may be canceled upon exit.
Receive your ARC card in the mail without a fixed address
Make sure your housing is stable and document-ready (ideally RC-approved)
Use all mobile carriers or banks
Some companies will not accept the certification application (신청서 접수 확인서) as valid ID
Access some government websites or services
Until you have your ARC card number, login and ID verification can be limited
✅ Tip:
Keep both your passport and Certificate of Application with you until your ARC card is issued. Many foreigner-friendly services in Korea accept this combo as temporary ID.
Final ARC Card Checklist (2025)
✅ You must apply for your ARC card within 90 days of arrival in Korea
✅ You can only book your appointment after entering the country
✅ Ensure your housing documents are ARC-ready
✅ Prepare visa-specific documents in advance
✅ Your booking confirmation counts as submission, get it early
✅ Bring extra passport photos and copies of everything
✅ Get help if you don’t speak Korean, don’t go in confused
Bonus: Find ARC-Ready Housing the Easy Way
Avoid the paperwork headache and simplify your move by choosing ARC-friendly accommodation from day one. Enkostay connects foreigners with verified hosts who understand the Alien Registration Card (ARC) requirements. Many of our listings even include instantly downloadable Proof of Residence documents, ready for your application.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of the application process, read the first part of our series: “How to Get Your Residence Card in Korea – 2025 Guide”. And to fully understand why this card is so vital, be sure to check out "Why Having an ARC Card Is Essential for Foreigners in South Korea (2025)"
