Address change on your ARC — the 14-day rule and how to actually do it

If you move apartments in Korea, you have 14 days to update your address with Immigration. This is not one of those laws nobody enforces. They notice. And the fine is annoying.

The rule. Article 36 of the Immigration Control Act says any registered foreigner must report a change of address within 14 days of moving. The fine for not doing so is usually 100,000₩ but can be up to 1,000,000₩ if they think you were trying to hide.

How they find out you moved. A few ways: they cross-check with local district office (구청) records, your bank might flag an address update, or it comes up at your next ARC renewal or visa change — and then you're on the hook for the fine.

How to actually update your address. Two options:

Option 1: Local 구청 (district office). Fast and easy. Go to the 구청 for your NEW address. Bring your ARC + your lease (계약서) or proof of residence. They can update the address on your ARC directly. Takes about 30 minutes total.

Option 2: HiKorea online. Log in, choose "Change of registered information", fill in the new address, upload your lease. Approval takes 2-5 business days. Your ARC won't physically change — the new address is only reflected in the digital record. If you need a physical card update, do Option 1.

What counts as "moved". Any change of primary residence — new apartment, new sublease, moving in with a partner. Not: a 2-week Airbnb, going home for the holidays, or being between apartments for a week.

The one weird catch. If you move OUT of a district and haven't found a new place yet, technically you should notify them anyway. In practice, if the gap is under a week, no one bothers. If it's longer, register at whatever temporary address you're using (a friend's place is fine if they'll let you) and update again when you settle.

I moved twice my first year. Got fined once because I put it off. It genuinely takes 30 minutes at 구청. Just go.