Some brokers approach people who have overstayed in Korea with a promise to "fix it with no entry ban", and ask for money up front. No one can guarantee that outcome under the system, and using forged documents turns an overstay into a far heavier criminal case. The places to ask first are free: 1345 and 132.
How brokers approach you
They count on the fact that someone in overstay status finds it hard to report them. If you hear any of the following, stop there.
- "We'll fix it with no ban" — no agent can guarantee the result of an immigration review
- An offer of forged documents — the moment you use them, it becomes a criminal matter
- Payment up front — they rely on you being unable to report it if they disappear with the money
- A request for your bank account or ID — your name ends up being used in other crimes
Where to ask first
- 1345, the Immigration Contact Center — consultation in 20 languages. This is where you find out which procedure applies to your situation, what to prepare, and which office to go to
- 132, the Korea Legal Aid Corporation — free legal advice for Korean nationals and foreign residents in Korea, with referral to a lawyer when needed
- HiKorea — book a visit at the immigration office that covers your address
- Your local immigration office — you can ask for an interpreter when you visit
Preparing and submitting documents on someone's behalf for a fee is work that only lawyers and licensed administrative agents (haengjeongsa) may do as a business, under Article 3 of the Administrative Agents Act. If you do hire someone, check the licence and the office address before anything else.
Will I be detained on the spot if I go to report?
This fear is the most common reason people put off reporting until the overstay grows longer. Coming forward voluntarily is handled differently from being caught, and the fact that you came on your own is taken into account when the outcome is decided. If you are anxious, call 1345 first, explain your situation, and hear what to expect before you visit.
Use an official interpreter rather than a friend. When a friend interprets and a fact comes out slightly wrong, it goes into the record that way and genuinely works against you.
The fine by length of overstay and what to do today are covered in the article "If your stay has already expired", and cases that actually ended, with the documents each person brought, are in "How three real Korean overstay cases ended". How to handle consultations when unpaid wages or a child's schooling are also involved is set out in the Korean-language overstay remedy post on the WeBring blog.
Sources: Immigration Contact Center, Ministry of Justice (immigration.go.kr); Korea Legal Aid Corporation (klac.or.kr); Administrative Agents Act
Last verified: 2026-10-01