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January 20, 2025
You retired in Korea and no longer have SOFA status, an A-3 visa or and the umbrella of protection it provided. Time to apply for a Korea Visa if you wish to remain here. Below are some basic guidelines about Visa's and URL links to official websites for their details. With so many different situations each of us can encounter, we do not list every Visa or every case for a Visa here.
It is important to keep in mind that as a retiree in Korea you are basically just another US citizen in Korea. Your military retiree status gives you nothing extra as an expat here. On-base you have privileges, but off-base, nothing special than any other American in Korea. USFK will do basically nothing to help you out of any jams you might find yourself in.
When visiting any immigration office, you must make a reservation/appointment, UNLESS you are 70 years old. Immigration offices do not require appointments when you reach 70, walk-in is fine. Visit the HiKorea website to make reservations https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIdntR.pt#this
Those on VISA other than A-3 SOFA visa, when you get the letter in the mail informing you your visa is going to expire, make your appointment and also TAKE that letter to the immigration office with your appointment. Doing so will waive you from filling out the forms at the appointment.
Some hire/use an immigration lawyer in Korea to fill out paperwork and forms for your signature. A Google search or asking friends are good ways to find them. A couple of websites that may help are:
https://www.expatkidskorea.com/listing/immigration-lawyers-in-korea
https://www.expatguidekorea.com/seoul/best-immigration-lawyers-korea
The Korean government requires an FBI Identity History Summary Check, i.e. background check for all new F-type visas. The FBI has implemented an option to electronically submit and receive responses for these background checks called Electronic Departmental Order (eDO). The eDO background check option is found on the FBI website at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks and allows faster processing times of requests, which the FBI estimates to be 3-5 business days upon their receipt of your fingerprint card. Visit the https://www.edo.cjis.gov for details and How To Submit A Request. During the process you will need to:
TIP: If you are a retiree or veteran living in Korea it is almost imperative to have a Residence Card, because just about everything you do in any official or government office requires one. The Residence Card is a Korean national identification card for foreigners, providing a form of ID and Korean ID Number. It is required for signing up for services like cell phone plans, internet, banking, and health insurance.
What we all knew as the Alien Registration Card (ARC) was changed to Registration Car in January of 2021 in response to criticism over the term “alien”. There is a good article at https://www.korvia.com/the-new-residence-card-in-south-korea-whats-changed-and-how-to-obtain-it/. If you have a current ARC card that is not expired, it is still good as-is! When you get it renewed you will get the updated Registration Card.
Aain, Registration Cards are a must have for non-SOFA status personnel, but SOFA status folks with an A-3 visa are still highly encouraged to get one. It's pretty easy and painless.
Residence Card (most common for retirees): Issued to foreigners who intend to stay in the Republic of Korea for more than 90 days from the date of entry and have completed resident registration.
Permanent Resident Card: Issued to foreigners who hold permanent residency status, and it is valid for 10 years.
Overseas Korean Resident Card: Issued to foreigners who are overseas Koreans with foreign nationality and have reported their place of residence in Korea.
- If you are retiring in Korea
- If If you intend to stay more than 90 days in Korea
- If you lost SOFA status, but will remain in Korea
Starting in January 2025, foreign national residents in South Korea can apply for digital ID cards through the Mobile IDentification App, available for both iPhone and Android devices. Foreign residents aged 14 and over who own a smartphone under their name can get the mobile ID card. The digital card carries the same legal validity as the physical card and can be used in places such as public institutions, hospitals and convenience stores to verify one’s identity. There are two ways one can apply this way: Visit immigration office or Tap IC chip-enabled ID card on smartphone. Read more at https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10389035
Download the application form on the Hi Korea official website at https://www.hikorea.go.kr/board/BoardApplicationListR.pt?page=1&locale=EN and go to an Immigration Office downtown in your area, but you must make a reservation online for your office visit. Go to the immigration homepage at https://hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt#this to Reserve a Visit (book a date and time). Apply at the Immigration Office in your residential area. Offices outside of your addressed area will not serve you.
NOTE: If you currently have an A3 SOFA Visa, you can apply at the Osan AMC Terminal Immigration window or at the USAG Humphreys SOFA Stamp Issuing office in Maude Hall (OneStop 2nd floor). No appointment needed to apply, but you must go in-person to the Immigration Office to pick up your card, which in the Osan area is the Pyeongtaek Immigration Office in Songtan. It's published name however is Suwon Immigration Office, Pyeongtaek Branch (directions using Waze).
Click here to open 2022 revision of the ARC Application Form
Click here to go to Hi Korea Forms page for ARC Application Form (called 'Integrated application form')
You do have the option to have your ARC card delivered to you via Korea Post mail, but make sure to ask the immigration agent about it. They do not automatically tell you about it, but if you ask then they will. You of course can also return to the immigration office and pick it up.
You must update your ARC card for two two primary reasons, and it must be doen within 14 days of the event to avoid huge financial penalties.
The card must be returned to the Immigration Office / immigration officer at the departure airport or port upon final departure. Failure to return will result in fine. For more information, please contact Immigration Call Center at 1345 (within Korea).
Korea's Smart Entry Service (SES) is a state-of-the-art system. that registers passport information and biometric information. (fingerprint, face) in advance under the name of the Automated. Immigration System in Korea, and then uses it to conduct immigration inspection at the Smart Entry Service Gate at airports and sea ports and verify travelers. SES is available at many airports in Korea, including: Incheon Airport, Gimhae Airport, Gimpo Airport, Jeju Airport, Daegu Airport, Cheongju Airport
To learn about SES: Who can use it, How to register, etc, go to https://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/1859/subview.do
Recently, the Korean government has automatically added all ARC cards into the SES system. This means if you have an ARC card, you can use SES at the airports, BUT there is a catch you need to be aware of:
Click images to enlarge
For your spouse to apply for residency in the US, start by going to the U.S. Department of State FAQ page for DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/online-immigrant-visa-forms/ds-260-faqs.html
