I moved — when and where must a foreigner report a change of address?
I recently moved to a different neighborhood and heard that foreigners have to report a change of address separately. I'm not sure whether I just file a move-in report at the community center like Koreans do, or whether I also have to notify the immigration office. I heard there's a deadline and a fine if you're late, so I'd like to know the exact process and documents needed.
1 Answer
Report it within 15 days of moving in, and you can file at the community centre (주민센터) for your new address instead of going to immigration.
The deadline comes from Article 36 of the Immigration Control Act (출입국관리법 제36조): a registered foreign resident who moves must file a change-of-residence report (체류지 변경신고) within 15 days of the day of moving in. This is not the same number Koreans use. A Korean national files a move-in report under the Resident Registration Act within 14 days, and that 14-day figure is all over Korean-language guidance, so it is an easy one to copy by mistake. Yours is 15 days, and missing it exposes you to an administrative fine of up to 1,000,000 won.
Where to file. The 시·군·구 office or the 읍·면·동 community centre for your new address takes the foreigner change-of-residence report at the same counter as the move-in report, so one visit covers both. Your competent immigration office also accepts it. Bring your alien registration card and something proving you live there — the lease contract, or another document showing the address. The office records the change on your card and stamps it.
Online. HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) lists change-of-address reporting among the e-Minwon tasks, and also among the matters handled without a visit appointment, so for most people it finishes online. Online reports are normally processed within about three days, excluding weekends and public holidays. One catch: once the deadline has passed the online route closes and you have to attend in person.
Do the immigration side even if a housemate or the building manager says the move was "already reported". The address on your alien registration record is what health insurance billing, bank verification and visa renewal read from, and none of those update themselves.
Questions in your own language go to the immigration contact centre on 1345.
Sources: 출입국관리법 제36조, 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보, 하이코리아.
Last verified: 2026-09-28