I'll be away from Korea over 6 months for work — how do I get a re-entry permit?
I need to go back to my home country for more than six months for a work assignment. I have an alien registration card, but I heard my residency status can be cancelled if I stay out of Korea too long. Do I need to apply for a re-entry permit in advance, where do I apply, and how much does it cost?
1 Answer
If you're a registered foreigner, in most cases you can leave and re-enter within one year without a separate re-entry permit, and your status stays valid. Since you'll be away about six months, you're generally within that exemption, so you likely don't need to worry. The key risk is your period of stay: if your alien registration card's expiry date falls while you're abroad, your status can lapse, so check that date before you leave. If there's any chance you'll stay out longer than a year, or your status expires during the trip, apply for a re-entry permit before departure through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) online or at your local immigration office. The fee is about 30,000 won for a single permit and 50,000 won for multiple, and it's usually processed on the spot.