For Korea Visa Holders

1. Korea VISA?

  • AceRent helps foreigners, who wish to stay more than 90 days within Korea, to have the Alien Registration Card (Foreigners Registration Procedure for Korean Visa Holders). The following information is to help you have a better understanding of Korean Visa, prior to make the Alien Registration Card in Korea.
  • Visa is a kind of endorsement or acknowledgment, whose specific meaning differs from country to country. Generally speaking, however, it is used to mean one of the following two things; One being the 'permission to enter' a given country, and the other being the 'consul's recommendation for a foreigner's entry request.' In case of Republic of Korea, the latter definition is used. Therefore, even if one were to have a Korean visa, one can still be denied entry to Korean soil should an immigration officer find some requirements unsatisfactory after inspection.

General Visa Issuance Flow

  • Upon visa application, applicants must submit all required documents the status of stay, which must suit the purpose of their visit.
    General Visa Issuance Flow
  • Applicant's Document Submission
  • Authorities/ Embassy Consulate, Approved Authorities/ Minister of Justice
  • Application
  • Examination
  • Permission Request
  • Review
  • Permission
  • Visa Attached / Issued
  • Issuance

Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance Flow

  • Upon filling out the visa application form, please specify the visa issuance approval number, which was send to you via e-mail or cellular phone.
    Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance Flow

Procedure within Korea

  • 1. Foreigner to enter Korea
  • 2. Inviter
  • Applicant, Handling Authorities/ Immigration Office,
  • Acceptance, Examination, Permission, Informing Visa Issuance Permission No.

  • Submission Documents :

    -Passport

    -Application of Certificate for Recognition of Visa Issuance

    -Other Documents

  • *Confirm of Permission ARS (02-2650-6363)

Procedure to Embassy/ Consulate

  • Foreigner to enter Korea
  • Applicant, Handling Authorities/ Embassy/ Consulate
  • Acceptance, Permission, Issuance of Visa/ Issuance

  • Submission Documents:

    -Application of Visa Issuance (Written Certificate for Recognition of Visa Issuance No.)

    -Passort

2. Visa type Guide

  • The following information is to examine whether you need to have a foreigner registration in Korea. This information is to help Korean visa holders to process the Alien Registration Card (Foreigner Registration Card) Issuance within Korea.
  • Foreign Registration Exemption: A1-3 Visa Holders and Family, or D1, D6, F1, F3, G1 visa holders with Canadian Nationality who intend to stay in R.O.K less than 6 months.
Type A : Persons staying for diplomacy, official duty, or under international agreement
A-1 Diplomat
  • Members of foreign diplomatic missions or consular offices and their family members
 During Incumbency
A-2 Foreign Government Official
  • Officials of foreign governments or international organizations and their family members
 During Official Duty
A-3 International Agreement
  • USFK, civilian personnel, invited contractors and their family members under the SOFA Agreement
 For Duration of Status
Type B : Persons granted entry into the ROK under VWP, principle of reciprocity, etc.
B-1 Visa Exempted
  • Nationals from countries that have signed a visa waiver agreement with the Republic of Korea
 Maximum 3 months (NOT Extendable)
B-2 Tourist·Transit
  • Persons entering Korea without a visa for the purpose of tourism, transit, etc. (Designated by the Minister of Justice)
Type C : Persons entering Korea for temporary stay within 90 days
C-1 Short-Term News Coverage
  • Persons visiting Korea for temporary news coverage or reporting
 Maximum 90 days (NOT Extendable)
C-3 Short-Term Visit
  • Other short-term employment (temporary performance, lecture, research, etc.)
C-4 Short-Term Employee
Type D : Persons staying for educational, cultural, and investment-related activities
D-1 Arts and Culture
  • Those who intend to engage in academic or artistic activities that are not-forprofit
 2 years (Extendable)
D-2 Student
  • International students pursuing associates, bachelor's, master's, doctoral degrees or enroll in a research course
  • Exchange student
  • International students in worklearning course (governmentsponsored scholarship students, etc.)
  • Visiting students (students enrolled in foreign universities and who take regular courses at domestic universities for less than 1 year)
 2 years (Extendable)
D-3 Industrial Trainee
  • Production workers from overseas corporation who want to receive training in a relevant industry in Korea
 2 years (Extendable)
D-4 General Trainee
  • Korean language trainees
  • Trainees from institutions other than university-affiliated language institutes (foreigninvested companies, etc.)
  • High school students and younger
  • Korean cooking trainees
  • Private institution trainees
  • Foreign language trainees
 2 years (Extendable)
D-5 Long-Term News Coverage
  • A person who is dispatched from a newspaper, broadcasting station, magazine, other media outlet, or persons who are stationed in Korea under a contract with a news agency to carry out news coverage and reporting activities
 2 years (Extendable)
D-6 Religion
  • A person who is dispatched from a foreign religious organization or social welfare organization to work at a branch office registered in Korea
  • A person who is dispatched from a foreign religious organization or social welfare organization to engage in religious activities at a related religious organization in Korea
 2 years (Extendable)
D-7 Intra-Company Transferee
  • A person who works at a Korean branch of a foreign company, etc.
  • Foreign workers who are stationed at the head office in Korea working for overseas companies
 3 years (Extendable)
D-8 Corporate Investor
  • A person who has invested in a Korean corporation
  • A person who has established or prepares a venture business
  • A person who has invested in a company run by a Korean citizen
  • A technology entrepreneur with a bachelor's degree or higher from abroad (domestic associate's degree or higher)
 5 years (Extendable)
D-9 International Trade
  • A trader who has been issued a trade business number
  • A person who installs, operates, and repairs export facilities (machinery)
  • A person who supervises ship building and equipment production
  • Company management and commercial business
  • International students who become trade managers
 2 years (Extendable)
D-10 Job Seeker
  • General job seekers (Job-seeking at a domestic company/organization, shortterm internship, etc.)
  • Tech start-up preparers (participation in start-up immigration training programs, patent applications such as intellectual property rights, preparation for establishment of start-up corporations, etc.)
  • High-tech internship (internship activities in high-tech fields)
 6 months (High-Tech Internship: 1 year) (Extendable)
Type E : Persons staying for professional, non-professional activities
E-1 Professor
  • Those who carry out education, research, or guidance at educational institutions higher than junior colleges
 5 years (Extendable)
E-2 Foreign Language Instructor
  • Foreign language conversation instructor
  • Assistant teacher invited by the government
 2 years (Extendable)
E-3 Research
  • Researchers in the fields of natural science, social science, humanities, arts and sports
 5 years (Extendable)
E-4 Technical Instructor
  • Those who provide professional instruction in natural science, technology, or in specific industrial fields at public or private institutions
 5 years (Extendable)
E-5 Professional
  • Those who work in professional fields such as law, accounting, and medical care, etc.
 5 years (Extendable)
E-6 Arts and Performances
  • Those engaging in arts, broadcasting entertainment activities such as music, fine arts, literature, etc.
  • Persons performing in hotel facilities, entertainment establishments, etc.
  • Athletes, professional team coaches, and managers
 2 years (Extendable)
E-7 Special Occupation
  • Professional
  • Semi-professional
  • General manpower
  • Skilled workers (Point system)
 3 years (Extendable)
E-8 Seasonal Work
  • Those who want to work in the fields of crop cultivation, harvesting, or processing raw fishery products
 5 months (NOT Extendable)
E-9 Non-Professional
  • Workers in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture, livestock, fishery, and service industries
 3 years (Extendable)
E-10 Maritime Crew
  • Domestic seafarers, fishing ship crews, cruise ship crews
 3 years (Extendable)
H-2 Work and Visit
  • Persons aged 18 or older as overseas Koreans with one of the 7 nationalities who wish to visit or work in Korea (46 occupations) (China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan)
 3 years (Extendable)
Type F : Persons staying on Dependent family, Resident, Overseas Korean, Permanent resident, Marriage migrant status
F-1 Family visitor
  • Underage children of a national or a person born in a marital relationship with a national
  • Spouse and underage children of permanent residents
  • Those recognized as refugees
  • Long-term foreign residents with high-amount investment
  • Point system foreign talent and accompanying family members
  • Real estate immigrant investors and accompanying family members
  • Those appointed as a public official
  • Public business immigrant investors and accompanying family members
  • Retirement immigrant investors and accompanying family members
  • Those raising children who have reached the age of majority
  • Special Contributor
  • Other long-term residents
  • ETC
 2 years (Work Not Permitted)
F-2 Resident
  • Underage children of a national or a person born in a marital relationship with a national
  • Spouse and underage children of permanent residents
  • Those recognized as refugees
  • Long-term foreign residents with high-amount investment
  • Point system foreign talent and accompanying family members
  • Real estate immigrant investors and accompanying family members
  • Those appointed as a public official
  • Public business immigrant investors and accompanying family members
  • Retirement immigrant investors and accompanying family members
  • Those raising children who have reached the age of majority
  • Special Contributor
  • Other long-term residents
 5 years (Parital Restrictions on Employment)
F-3 Dependent Family
  • Spouse or underage children of a person eligible for Arts and Culture (D1) to Special Occupation (E7) status
 During accompanying (Work Not Permitted)
F-4 Overseas Korean
  • Overseas Koreans with foreign nationality who fall under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Overseas Korean Act
 3 years (Unskilled labor not permitted)
F-5 Permanent Resident
  • General permanent residents (staying in Korea for more than 5 years)
  • Spouse of national
  • Underage children of national
  • Spouse and underage children of permanent residents
  • High-amount investors
  • Those who have stayed for more than 2 years with Overseas Korean status
  • Those meeting the requirements for nationality as foreign nationality Korean
  • Overseas Chinese born and staying in Korea
  • Doctoral degree holders obtained from abroad in high-tech fields
  • Bachelor's degree or license holder in high-tech industry
  • Those with ability in specific fields
  • Person of special merit
  • Pensioners
  • Those working in the manufacturing industry, etc. for 4 years or more with work and visit status
  • Doctoral degree holders in general fields
  • Point system permanent residents
  • Real Estate Investors
  • Spouse or underage children of point system permanent residents (F-5)
  • Spouse or unmarried children of real estate investors (F-5)
  • Children born in Korea to permanent residents
  • Public business general investors
  • Spouse or unmarried children of general public business investors (F-5) or retiree immigrant investors (F-5)
  • Retirement immigrant investors for public business
  • Investors in technology startups
  • Conditional large-amount investors
  • R&D personnel of foreign-invested companies
  • Recognized refugees
 Permanent (No Restrictions on Employment)
F-6 Marriage Migrant
  • Spouse of national
  • Those rearing children
  • Persons with discontinued marriage
 3 years (No Restrictions on Employment)
Others : Persons employed under agreement or staying on humanitarian grounds
H-1 Working Holiday
  • Nationals from countries that have a working holiday program with Korea
 As specified in Agreement (Not Extendable)
G-1 Miscellaneous
  • Persons in need of humanitarian consideration, such as treatment for industrial accidents and diseases, applicants for refugee status, etc.
 1 year (Extendable)

3. Obtaining Permission to Engage in Activities Beyond the Limits of Current Status

Foreigners who seeks to carry out activities beyond the limits of their current visa status (hereafter "unauthorized activities"), without changing their status of stay must receive permission to do so prior to actually engaging in the said activity. Should the aforementioned activities become the main purpose of their stay, such permission will not be granted, and they must therefore re-enter with a new visa or apply to change their status of stay. Those with single-entry visa for less than 90 days of stay are not permitted to carry out unauthorized activities.
Obtaining Permission to Engage in Activities Beyond the Limits of Current Status
  • Applicant
  • Application of permission for engage in activities beyond the current visa status(Immigration Office)
  • Examination
  • Permission

    - Permission for engage in activities beyond the current visa status affixed on the passport

    - Description on Foreign Registration Card

  • Rejection

    - Information the cause

  • Period

    - Before carrying out the activity of different residence status together

  • Attached Documents

    - Application of permission for engage in activities beyond the current visa status

    - Passport

    - Foreign Registration Card (If applicable)

    - Attached Documents per Status

    - Fee: 60,000 KRW (Except for D2: 10,000 KRW)

    * Subjects can vary under different circumstances.

4. Visa Status Change Procedure

Foreigners who seeks to change their current visa status. In practice, applicants should re-enter with a new visa. However, within a limited condition, under severe examination, those of the qualified and well-prepared will be granted a permission to change a status of stay without leaving this country.

5. Single/ Multiple Visa

Korea Visa Holders (foreigners) who wish to travel outside of Korea must obtain Multiple Entry Permit.

Single Entry Visa

Only a single-entry is permitted for the duration of the visa.
Valid for 3 months from the date it had been issued.

Multiple Entry Visa

Multiple entries are permitted for as long as visa remains valid.

Fee for changing a single to multiple entry visa

appox. KRW ￦50,000
* Subjects above might can vary in accordance with different circumstances.

Application for Alien Registration in Korea

Qualifications for application

  • A foreigner who intends to stay in Korea for more than 90 days
  • An individual who gives up Korean nationality and gains a foreign nationality
  • A Korean-born foreigner who was born in Korea and intends to stay in Korea for more than 90 days from the date of receiving residence status.

Exemptions from Alien Registration

  • Individuals engaged in Diplomacy, Official Missions and Agreements and their families (A-1, A-2, A-3)
  • Citizens of Canada intending to stay in Korea for less than 6 months who fall under one of the following statuses: Culture/Arts (D-1), Religious Works (D-6), Visit & Stay with Family (F-1), Family Dependency (F-3) and Others (G-1)
  • Individuals undertaking diplomatic, industrial, or other important duties for national security, their family members, and other foreigners for whom exemption is deemed necessary by the Minister of Justice.

Alien Registration Procedure

The following chart shows a Procedure of Foreign Registration.
Foreigner Registration procedure
  • Submission of Application for Foreign Registration : At Immigration Office or Branch Office Under Relevant Jurisdictions
  • Issuance of Foreign Registration Card : Registration as Foreigner affixed in the Passport

Other required document as according to the status

Status Required documents
Culture/Arts(D-1) ·A document proving Culture/Art organization (a copy of business registration, etc)
Overseas Study(D-2) ·A certificate of studentship
Industrial training(D-3) ·A copy of business registration
·A medical certificate
·A certificate of subscription in insurance regarding delayed payment
General training(D-4) ·Korean language training at a university : A certificate of studentship
·Elementary·middle·high school student :A certificate of studentship
·Other training : A document proving foundation of training organization (a copy of business registration, etc.)
Journalism(D-5) ·A certificate of approved establishment for branch, or a copy of business registration
Religious Affairs(D-6) ·A copy of business registration
Supervisory Intra-company Transfer(D-7) ·A copy of business registration
Coorporates Investment(D-8) ·A copy of foreign invested corporation registration
·A copy of business registration
Treaty Management(D-9) ·A copy of business registration
Job Seeking(D-10) ·No additional document
Professor(E-1) ·A Copy of business registration
Foreign Language Instructor(E-2) ·Instructor at a university, private institute, etc. (including english assistant teacher directly hired by the school principal)
- A copy of business registration certificate or a copy of certificate of proper number
- Physical examination issued by a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice and employment physical exam report including drug test results (Methamphetamine, cocaine, opium, and hemp tests are required)
·Those required to additionally submit a Criminal Records Certificate
- If you have been exempted from submitting a criminal records certificate when applying for a confirmation of visa issuance, or if you have stayed abroad for more than 3 months from the date of entry, you must additionally submit a criminal records certificate when registering as a foreigner.
·English assistant teachers recruited/selected under the supervision of the Ministry of Education (city/province superintendent of education) and government-invited English volunteer scholarship students
- A copy of business registration certificate or a copy of certificate of proper number
Research(E-3) ·A copy of business registration
Technology Guidance(E-4) ·A copy of business registration
Special Profession (E-5) ·A copy of business registration
Arts & Performance (E-6) ·A copy of business registration
·A medical certificate(domestic hospital)
Specially Designated Activities (E-7) ·A copy of business registration certificate
·In the case of teaching professions such as at foreign schools, foreign educational institutions, and international high schools
- Physical examination issued by a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice and employment physical exam report including drug test results (Methamphetamine, cocaine, opium, and hemp tests are required)
Non-professional Employment(E-9) ·A copy of business registration
Vessel Crew(E-10) ·Business license of coastal passenger transport or a copy of business registration regarding coastal freight
·A medical certificate(domestic hospital)
·A certificate of subscription in accident insurance or insurance regarding industrial disaster
Visiting and Staying with Relatives (F-1) ·Visiting/Staying with relatives : Birth certificate or family register, certified copy of resident registration for whom living together
·Domestic help : ①at diplomatic or consular personnel's: copy of the official's ID card ②at foreign high investor's: copy of the employer's alien registration card
Residency(F-2) ·Chinese resident abroad: N/A
·A spouse of Korean national: Korean's certificate of marriage showing marriage status, Korean's certified resident registration, Korean's reference
Family Dependency(F-3) ·Spouse or parents' alien registration card copy
Permanent Residency(F-5) ·A copy of business registration
Miscellaneous(G-1) ·N/A
Working holiday(H-1) ·Itinerary or activity plan
·Certificate of employment or a copy of business registration (in case of being at work)
Working Visit(H-2B,D,E,F) ·Resident registration card or family register
Working Visit(H-2C) ·Resident registration card or family register
·A certificate of studentship(issued in last 1 week) and copy of alien registration card
※ Overseas Koreans (F-4) : See eligible to report of Domestic Residency
※ Permanent Residency (F-5) : Same as required documents upon change of status (permission of status)
※ The official in charge may ask you additional documents after screening basic requirements.

Foreigners' Reporting Obligations

1. Reporting Obligations of Changes of Particulars on Alien Registration Card

A registered foreigner should report the changes of information on a alien registration card to a local immigration office of jurisdiction under one of the following circumstances.
  • When the name, sex, date of birth or nationality of a foreigner change
  • When the passport number, date of issuance or expiration date change
  • When the organizations of foreigners with one of the following visas; Culture/Arts (D-1), Study (D-2), General Training (D-4) changes its name.
  • When the organizations of foreigners under one of the following visas Press Coverage (D5), Religious Works (D6), Intra-Company Transfer (D7), Treaty Investment (D8), Treaty Trade (D9)changes its name.

Required Documents

  • Passport and foreign registration card
  • Application form of report on changes of particulars of foreign registration card

2. Reporting Obligation of Change of Place of Stay

When a registered foreigner changes his/her place of stay, the person should report it to the jurisdictional Immigration Office within 14 days from the foreigner’s move-in date. Penalties are imposed in breach of the obligation.

Required Documents

  • Passport and alien registration card
  • Report form of change of place of stay

3. Employer’s Declaration of Obligations

According to the Immigration Act, employers of foreigners or the heads of companies offering foreigners industrial training should declare to the Immigration Office within 15 days of the date when they know about one of the following causes. For the infringement of this obligation, penalties will be charged to employers or the head of company.

Conditions to Declare

  • In case of hiring, retirement or death of the foreign employee
  • When the hired foreigner’s place of stay is uncertain
  • When important information in employment contracts changes: when the contract period, name or location of the company, or employer changes, when the company sends the employee to another workplace, or when the foreign employee violates Immigration Law and/or other related regulations

4. Reporting Obligation of Foreign Students

For the efficient management of the increasing number of foreign and language students in Korea, the reporting obligation of foreign students is imposed on the head of domestic universities or graduate schools, where the D2 status foreign students study as well as on the head of university-affiliated language institutes, where the General Training (D4) status or Temporary Visiting (C3) status foreign students study the Korean language. If one of the following grounds for reporting arise, they must declare within 15 days of that date, or they will be fined.

Grounds for Reporting

  • When a foreign student admitted to a school or permitted to train does not register or is absent within the designated period
  • When the overseas study or training period is terminated for a foreign student because of expulsion or withdrawal, or when the whereabouts of the student are unknown

Importance Notice to Alien Registration Card Holders

1. Reasons for returning Foreigner Registration cards

The Foreigner Registration card must be returned to the Immigration Office upon following reasons
  • Final departure
  • Abandoning foreign citizenship and acquiring a Korean nationality
  • Upon death
  • Applicable for Foreigner Registration exemption

2. When Foreigner Registration cards must be returned by:

  • Upon final departure
  • Within 30 days after acquiring Korean nationality.
    - By him/herself, spouse, parents, or appointed agent
    - Must be returned with Korean nationality verification certificate, lost foreign nationality verification certificate
  • Upon death
    - By spouse, parents, appointed agent, administrator or owner of the property where the death occurs
    - Within 30 days of acknowledgement of the death / within 30 days of the death
    - Must be returned with medical report or inquest report, or other death verification documents
  • Failure to return the registrations cards on time will result in fines.

3. Foreigner Registration card carriage and/or present

  • All foreigners must carry a passport, visa, or a foreigner registration card while in Korea (Those under 17 are exempt from this duty).
  • All foreigners must comply with requests to display passports or foreigner registration card by immigration officers or other such public officers (including public administrators of city, province, or town), if they are performing their official duties. (registration related duties)
  • Failure to comply to such requests will result in punishment as according to Immigration Act Article 27.

Driver's License for Foreigners

1. Exchange of foreign license for domestic license

Processing procedure

  • Review of required documents submitted such as embassy confirmation
  • Aptitude test (physical examination) and written test
  • Exchange issuance of domestic license

Precautions for exchange issuance

  • Check the information below with an embassy confirmation or Apostille certificate for a driver's license issued within 1 year from the date of application (for the purpose of verifying the authenticity of a foreign license).
    - A certificate issued in Korean or English by the 「Embassy of the relevant country」 in Korea or the 「Korean Embassy in the relevant country」
    - Certificate issued in Korean or English by a country that has signed up to the Apostille Convention (local)
  • If there are any traces of separation (separation marks from the stapler, separation marks from the knot, etc.) on the submitted Apostille certificate or embassy confirmation, additional documents may be required or application may be rejected.
  • If the name or birth date on the required documents such as your foreign driver's license and passport are different, please submit an embassy confirmation or other documents (passport, etc.) that can prove this.
  • In the case of the Colombian Embassy in Korea, you must visit the driver's license test center with both the Apostille certificate and the General Driver Report for your driver's license.
  • When a copy of a driver's license is attached to the Apostille certificate, both the front and back of the foreign license must be attached.
  • If the embassy confirmation for a foreign driver's license states that 'the authenticity of the driver's license is not confirmed,' additional documents may be requested or the application may be rejected.
  • In the case of Australian license holders, even if they are a formal license holder, if they are under 25 years of age, they must pass the written test to exchange for a foreign license. (However, if you hold an exemption visa as shown in Note 1) for exchange issuance, you are exempt from the written test)
  • For New Zealand license holders,
    - Restricted license holders: A foreign license can be exchanged only after taking and passing the written test.
    - Full License Holder: If less than 2 years have passed since the date of acquisition, a foreign license can be exchanged only after passing a written test.
    (However, if you hold an exemption visa as shown in Note 1) for exchange issuance, you are exempt from the written test)

Notice: Nations of Driver’s Licenses Valid in Korea

Asia
(26 nations)		 New Zealand, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Macau, Malaysia, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Bhutan, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Australia, Uzbekistan, India (Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra) , Japan, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Kyrgyz Republic, Kiribati, Thailand, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Fiji, Philippines, Hong Kong
America
(28 nations)		 Grenada, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic, Mexico (New Evoreon), Barbados, the Bahamas, Brazil, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Haiti, Antigabada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Uruguay, Chile, Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan), Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Peru, USA (Meriland, Virginia, Washington, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Alabama, West Virginia, Iowa, Colorado, Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Arizona, Louisiana, Louisiana, New Jersey)
Europe
(35 nations)		 Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Serbia, Switzerland, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Albania, Britain, Austria, Italy, Georgia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Turkiye, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary
The Middle East
(12 nations)		 Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Jordan, Iraq (Arbil), Iran, Israel, Qatar, Kuwait
Africa
(38 nations)		 Ghana, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Nigeria, Niger, Liberia, Rwanda, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mozambique, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Sao Tome Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Algeria, Angola, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Zimbabwe, Chad, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Tunisia
※ Regions with independent driver's license systems, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan, are included in the national category
※ If a domestic license is changed to not be recognized after the revision of the notice and the fact is notified, it is excluded from the recognized country
※ Added reciprocal recognition agreement: Ohio, Kentucky, Utah (written test required)

2. International Driver License

  • A foreigner with a foreign issued driver license can drive legally in Korea with an international driver license for 1 year. But, the foreign license must not expire during that period.
  • An international driver license is for a foreigner not residing in Korea (visitor). Thus, foreigners registered at the Korea Immigration Service are strongly recommended to convert the existing foreign license to a Korean driver license because they are legal residents of Korea.

Notice

  • Even if the term of international driver’s license is valid, according to international conventions or relative laws of the nation, the license may not be valid if the person has stayed in the nation for over 1 year. When driving with an international driver’s license, the person must have Korean driver’s license and passport in possession.
  • In many nations including the United States, a person driving with an international driver’s license must have Korean driver’s license and passport in possession. Otherwise, the person may be punished for unlicensed driving. The person needs to possess international driver’s license, Korean driver’s license and passport when driving.
  • If spellings of English names on international driver’s license and passport are different, or if signatures on international driver’s license and passport are different, the international driver’s license is not valid.
  • If one’s Korean driver’s license is invalid, the person may not drive with an international driver’s license in Korea. (relative regulations: the third clause of Article 96, the Road Traffic Act)
  • Korea is a member of Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. An international driver’s license issued by the nation which is a member of Geneva Convention on Road Traffic is valid for 1 year from the entry date in Korea. Also, since Jan. 1, 2002, an international driver’s license issued by the nation which is a member of Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is valid for 1 year from the entry date in Korea.
  • Nations in which international driver’s licenses issued by Korea are valid: member nations of Geneva Convention on Road Traffic
  • Nations of international driver’s licenses valid in Korea: member nations of Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and Vienna Convention on Road Traffic

Nations under agreement of the Geneva Conventions

Asia Oceania
(19 Nations)		 Korea, New Zealand, Laos, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Australia, India, Japan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau
Americas
(15 Nations)		 Guatemala, Dominican Republic, United States of America, Barbados, Venezuela, Argentina, Haiti, Ecuador, Jamaica, Chile, Canada, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Peru
Europe
(38 Nations)		 Vatican, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Albania, Great Britain, Austria, Italy, Georgia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Turkiye, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary, Estonia
Middle East, Africa
(31 Nations)		 Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Niger, Lebanon, Lesotho, Rwanda, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Syria, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Jordan, Uganda, Israel, Egypt, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Congo, Republic of Congo, Togo, Tunisia

Nations under agreement of the Vienna Convention

Asia Oceania
(11 Nations)		 Vietnam, Mongolia, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Thailand, Pakistan, Philippines
Americas
(7 Nations)		 Guyana, Bahamas, Brazil, Honduras, Uruguay, Cuba, Peru
Europe
(41 Nations)		 Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Moldova, Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Armenia, Albania, Estonia, Britain, Austria, Ukraine, Italy, Georgia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Turkiye, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary
Middle East, Africa
(26 Middle East, Africa)		 South Africa, Nigeria, Niger, Liberia, Morocco, Bahrain, Benin, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Oman, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Cabo Verde, Qatar, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Republic of Congo, Kuwait, Tunisia, Palestine

Status of Korea's international driver's license available countries, etc.

Asia Oceania Korea, New Zealand, Laos, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Australia, India, Japan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau (In the end: Taiwan, Vietnam)
Americas Guatemala, Dominican Republic, United States of America, Barbados, Venezuela, Argentina, Haiti, Ecuador, Jamaica, Chile, Canada, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Peru
Europe Vatican, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Albania, Great Britain, Austria, Italy, Georgia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Turkiye, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary, Estonia
Middle East, Africa Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Niger, Lebanon, Lesotho, Rwanda, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Syria, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Jordan, Uganda, Israel, Egypt, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Congo, Republic of Congo, Togo, Tunisia

Relocation Services Packages

Accommodation and facility management

  • We provide services to repair and manage facilities including appliances, furniture placed at the accommodations and even personal effects.
  • Purchase proxy service for living products- we purchase various living products on your behalf including kitchenware and electronics.

Convenient life service

  • We help foreign executives focus on work by enabling them to have a convenient life with our services including utility bill payment, separate garbage collection and gas meter check.
  • Introduction and brokerage of maid/babysitter
  • Delivery service- we apply for the delivery of various products including newspaper and bottled drinking water
  • Provision of information on activities for youths and spouses, various clubs and agencies

Communications service

We help you adapt to life in Korea fast by providing support for purchase and subscription regarding various communications device including purchase and service initiation of cell phone, purchase of laptops, and subscription to land-line telephone, satellite TV, Internet and Cable TV.

Medical and insurance support

We provides comprehensive information on medical services including methods to use medical facility and medical checkup, and various insurance products such as fire insurance in order to help you prepare for sudden diseases and injuries.

Financial errand service

We run banking errands for customers to open bank accounts of domestic banks, apply for credit cards, purchase T-Money card and provide information on how to use it, exchange currencies, and deposit and withdraw money to and from overseas accounts.

Network of emergency contacts

Through network of emergency contacts, we offer round the clock service for customers who face sudden accidents and emergency situations.

Preview / Look-See Trip

We help expatriates and their family members assess to the suitability and the compatibility of Korean lifestyle. Our look-see trip provides a snapshot of the Korea, including housing, schooling and other basic orientation in Seoul.
Previewof Sample Itinerary:
  • Housing Overview
  • City Orientation Tour
  • School Overview
  • Brief Tour of Medical Facility (English speaking hospitals, pharmacies)
  • Brief Introduction of Public Transport
  • Shopping tips (electronic goods, furniture, grocery and etc.)
  • Brief introduction of Cultural Benefits (cinema, museums, well-known restaurants, and other interesting places)
  • Meet Special Requirements (educational, dietary etc.)
Preview / Look-See Trip

Home Search

Once the criteria have been outlined (before the preview trip for best results) we detail housing that matches needs. We help make a selection that meets all necessary requirements and as many 'would be nice' criteria as possible. We show properties and narrow down 'possibles' to 'probables' and then manage the contract negotiations on behalf of the client.
  • Select Suitable Properties from Criteria
  • Narrow Down Suitable Properties
  • Accompany Clients to View Properties with our Long Term Partner Realtors
  • Lease Negotiations and Tenancy Management
  • Inspection of Premises, Inventory and Utilities Checks
  • Introduction to Surviving Korea (basic phrases & manners, security, emergency services etc)
Home Search

Document Assistance

Though South Korea is keen to open up to foreign business there are constraints, often of a historical nature, which can make it complicated to secure the correct paperwork. Our familiarity with the complexities of the Korean system helps navigate the sometimes murky waters of visas and associated paperwork.
Paperwork Assistance:
Document Assistance
  • Working/Family Visa
  • Alien Registration Card
  • Obtaining a Korean Driving License
  • Assisting with Purchasing Vehicles
  • Registration of Address
  • Pet Quarantine and Transportation

Settling-In

For the non-Korean the language and culture of Korea can be perplexing. This is exacerbated sometimes by poor English skills and lack of familiarity with foreign cultural needs. Our approach to move management helps to meet high priority needs on arrival and immediately after. We also connect expatriate families to reputable local service organizations and individuals to secure increased comfort. For a smooth transition to Korea there has to be a swift ramp up from nothing to a fully functioning home environment.
It requires a lot of necessities to be organized in advance of arrival and shortly thereafter. We assist with:
  • In-depth Tour of Neighborhood Amenities
  • Arrange Move Management
  • Furniture Purchase/Rental
  • Vehicle Purchase/Rental
  • Arrange Newspaper and Water Delivery
  • Connecting Utilities
  • Local amenities (food shopping, dry cleaning, places of worship)
  • Opening Bank Account/Credit Cards
  • Mobile Phone Purchase and Registration
  • Domestic Services (maid, cleaning, baby sitting, gardening, drivers, language tutors etc.)
  • Introduction to Entertainment/Activities
 

Cross Culture Training

Korean history and geography have produced a unique culture. This is usually a positive influence but there can be a downside. From the perspective of the non-Korean good 'soft' skills are of great importance to managing in Korea as well as vital in navigating day-to-day activity in personal lives.
Korea has a distinctive culture and being a good guest (as well as being effective in business) requires awareness of etiquette and behaving appropriately. Our partners can help with:
Cross Culture Training
  • Basic Cultural Statistics (geography, history, dominant philosophy)
  • Language (key phrases, sources of materials & classes to learn Korean)
  • Business Customs
  • Social 'dos & don'ts'
  • Understanding the Environment
  • Family Survival and Integration into the Community

Departure Program

In Korea, as in all countries, the end of an assignment and departure needs careful attention. We help manage the logistics of moving personal possessions out of Korea either back home or to a new assignment. We also help with ending contracts and terminating billing responsibilities. These include:
Korea has a distinctive and hospitable culture. Being a good guest (as well as being effective in business) requires awareness of the culture, etiquette and behaving appropriately. Our partners can help with:
Departure Program
  • Termination of Rental and/or Lease Agreements
  • Disconnection of Utilities and Telephone Lines including Internet.
  • Forwarding Mail
  • Disposal of Furniture and other Items
  • Recovery of Tenancy and Security Deposit
  • Coordination of Moving and Pet Transfer

Property Management

Relocation usually refers to the personal needs of expatriates and their families. In Korea expatriates usually rent property as a home. However, for commercial property there are more variables. Our commercial property expertise can be invaluable to our clients when location and equipment needs require updating.
We have extensive knowledge of commercial realty and a network of support organizations that facilitate expansion, contraction and development of existing property as well as new property business activity. We can provide advice and assistance on leasing, selling, buying, renovating and outfitting of commercial property.
Property Management

Accommodation management for expatriates

Management of house and accommodation resided by expatriates
AceRent provides a comprehensive service from a simple real estate management to various and complex administration depending on real estate contract negotiation. For example, AceRent performs extensive work, even addressing problems with leasers, defect repair, rent payment and complaints from tenants that might arise in the future. Moreover, based on its long-standing knowhow and network of house management, AceRent meets increasingly various customer demands from facility management to renovation.
AceRent holds database specifying all its services and make a report on a regular basis to live up to the demand from customers. Therefore, customers can manage time efficiently and commit themselves to their core work through outsourcing.
  • Check important issues and provide evidence photos before the tenant moves in
  • Check and manage obligations, regulations and others that tenants need to follow during the lease period
  • Connect various facilities including gas, electricity, water, telephone, and the Internet
  • Purchase and rental of appliances, furniture and kitchenware
  • Defect repair at accommodations and address problems
  • Pay utility bills on customers' behalf
  • Management of rental contracts such as rental contract renewal or termination
  • Collect deposits and terminate utility contracts for customers at contract expiration
  • Provide emergency contacts in preparation of emergency situations
 

Work Outsourcing

AceRent is a service provider to help customers concentrate on their job by decentralizing workload through outsourcing. This service includes a wide range of areas such as personnel and general affairs, property and real estate management, Korean culture experience and accommodation management.
AceRent offers optimal programs so that your business operates in an efficient and outstanding way by outsourcing human resource management, labor dispute arbitration, written disciplinary actions, and general affairs job to AceRent.
The Korean culture experience service of AceRent aims to help expatriates and their family members easily adapt to a new environment and enhance their understanding on the Korean culture. In addition, this service supports you in understanding the cultural differences for your business and producing the best results.
Based on its long experience, AceRent does its best to assist you for your business success.

Relocation

AceRent proceeds with every process of relocation together with customers from start to finish in order to acheive a successful business goal. We select places suitable for the relocation objective and offer information on offices/buildings located in the selected area.
AceRent has experienced experts in corporate relocation as well as office interior design who help to minimize risks and reduce costs, while providing various quality services.
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