“I want to apply for a Residence Card. Can I just go to the immigration office?”
Nope! Without a reservation, you can’t even begin the process.
Nope! Without a reservation, you can’t even begin the process.This post will explain everything you need to know.
1.
What an immigration office reservation is
2.
How to make a reservation
3.
How to find your jurisdictional immigration office
4.
Unexpected difficulties you might face when booking
5.
Whether there’s an easier way to go through all of this
What is an Immigration Office Reservation?
An immigration office reservation is a system that lets you book your visit to the Immigration Office or Foreign Residents Office in advance—on a date and time that works best for you.
Think of it like making a hospital appointment before seeing a doctor!
Why does this system exist?
In the past, applying for a Residence Card was a hassle for many:
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Lining up outside the immigration office early in the morning
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Waiting over 4 hours
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Being turned away if the queue number ran out, and having to come back the next day
To eliminate these frustrating inconveniences, reduce your waiting time, and make the entire immigration process more predictable, the online reservation system was fully introduced.
Do I really have to make a reservation?
Yes! Absolutely.
All immigration and foreign resident offices across Korea now require a reservation. They do not accept walk-ins for most services.
If you show up without a reservation, you’ll likely hear: “Sorry, we can’t process anything without a reservation.”
And you’ll have to leave without getting anything done.
How Do I Make a Reservation?
You can easily book your appointment online through the HiKorea website!
HiKorea website
1.
2.
Click on ‘Petition Application’ → ‘Reserve Visit’
3.
Choose your identity verification method:
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Identity Authentication
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Identity verification using passport numbers
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Identity verification for visa issuance number
4.
Select the purpose of your visit
5.
Choose the immigration or foreign residents office you’ll visit
6.
Pick an available date and time for your appointment
Which Immigration Office Should I Book?
You can’t just book any immigration office.
There’s a specific one you need to go to.
Find it Based on Where You Live
The most basic rule is: your current home address determines your jurisdiction.
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Try Office Directory Service. Just enter your address, and it will automatically show you the right immigration office.
Office Directory Service. Just enter your address, and it will automatically show you the right immigration office.•
For quick reference, here’s a list of major immigration offices and the areas they cover.
Office Name | Address | Jurisdiction |
Seoul Immigration Office | 151 Mokdongdong-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul | Gwanak, Gwangjin, Gangnam, Gangdong, Dongjak, Songpa, Seongdong, Seocho, Yongsan; Seongnam, Hanam, Gwacheon |
Seoul Immigration Office Sejongno Branch | 38 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul (in Global Center) | Jongno, Jung-gu, Eunpyeong, Dongdaemun, Jungnang, Dobong, Seongbuk, Gangbuk, Nowon |
Seoul Southern Immigration Office | 서울 강서구 마곡서1로 4848 Magokseo 1-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul | Seodaemun, Mapo, Gangseo, Yangcheon, Yeongdeungpo, Guro, Geumcheon, Gwangmyeong |
Incheon Immigration Office | 393 Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon | Incheon (excluding airport), Bucheon, Gimpo |
Suwon Immigration Office | 39 Bandal-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do | Uiwang, Suwon, Yongin, Icheon, Hwaseong, Gwangju (Gyeonggi), Yangpyeong, Yeoju |
Suwon Immigration Office Pyeongtaek Branch | 1375 Gyeonggi-daero, Pyeongtaek-si (CK Tower) | Pyeongtaek, Anseong, Osan |
Incheon Immigration Office Gimpo Airport Branch | 38 Haneul-gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Gimpo International Airport) | Immigration procedures at Gimpo Airport |
Ansan Immigration Office | 713 Jungang-daero, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do | Ansan, Siheung, Anyang, Gunpo, Gwangmyeong |
Daejeon Immigration Office | 189 Cheongsa-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon | Daejeon, Sejong, parts of Chungnam |
Cheongju Immigration Office | 30 Gakri 1-gil, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si | Most of Chungbuk |
Gwangju Immigration Office | 73 Sangmu Jayu-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju | Gwangju, parts of Jeonnam |
Busan Immigration Office | 146 Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, Busan | All of Busan, parts of Yangsan (Gyeongnam) |
Daegu Immigration Office | 462 Dongdaegu-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu | Daegu, parts of Gyeongbuk |
Jeju Immigration Office | 70 Onam-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju | Entire Jeju Special Self-Governing Province |
If you're a student, make sure to check this!
Your school might have a designated immigration office for handling student applications.
In that case, you must make a reservation at that specific office, regardless of where you live.
Be sure to check with your school’s international office or student advisor first! When You're Not Sure, Do This
Booking the correct office will save you time, stress, and unnecessary hassles. Double-check everything to ensure you get your RC without issues.
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Use your current address to check your jurisdictional immigration office
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Ask your school if they have a designated immigration office for students
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If the two don’t match → The school’s assigned office usually takes priority
Unexpected Trouble: The Reservation Rush
During the start of the semester, a huge number of international students apply for their Residence Cards all at once.
Residence Card Reservation at Immigration Office (Gemini AI-Generated Image)
At that time, available appointment slots fill up in the blink of an eye.
It feels almost impossible to get a reservation on your preferred date.
This isn’t just a minor inconvenience like “Oh no, I couldn’t get a reservation.”
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Delayed reservations mean delayed Residence Card issuance,
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without a RC, it becomes difficult to open a bank account or get a mobile plan
Don’t Deal with All This Stress Alone
"I don’t even know which office I’m supposed to book, and the appointments are gone so fast…”
“I made the wrong reservation and had to leave without even applying…”
Applying for a Residence Card can feel overwhelming right from the reservation stage.
Even with plenty of information available, it’s hard to find exactly what fits your situation.
HireVisa(Gemini AI-Generated Image)
With HireVisa’s Group Application Service•
You’ll be automatically connected to the correct immigration office based on your school or address. No need to handle the complicated reservation process yourself.
•
Check if your school offers a group application!
Not part of a group application? Don’t worry!•
HireVisa also offers a range of services to support your RC application.
Click HireVisa Help Center