Contacting Korean Immigration    

Immigration HelpLine: 1345, press 3 and then * for English. No need to input area code, even from cell phones. You can call here for answers to simple questions or to find out where to get help for more complex issues.

Government of Korea for Foreigners (information in English on various issues that would affect foreigners). This site is sometimes difficult to access if you don't have Active X. Try cutting and pasting: http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/main_en.pt  (note that you likely have to use Internet Explorer and will be asked to download ActiveX).

One Click, Practical Law (this site provides information on various areas of Korean law, including immigration. It now covers information that was previously provided by the Ministry of Government Legislation and Ministry of Justice sites.) 

Much of the information contained on these sites is quite useful. However, it is important to note that it is not always complete and that you often must make additional inquiries. Do not be surprised either if you’ve heard or read something that is different from the content of any of the above sites. Sometimes, rules/laws have changed but there is a lag in the time between the adoption of the rule/legislation and updates of the English site.

It doesn’t hurt to e-mail and ask specific questions or to confirm that the information you’ve read on the English site is accurate. A written inquiry is often more helpful than a verbal one. Since reading is taught from a relatively early age, people here often find it easier to deal with written requests in English rather than verbal questions. To avoid misunderstandings, it is also helpful to get the answers in writing.

K4E Editor: Korea4Expats.com tries to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and complete, so should you notice any errors or omissions in the content above please contact us at info@korea4expats.com.  Please note that government regulations and proceedures may have changed from what has been described above or may not apply in all situations/cases. K4E recommends that you check with the appropriate government office and/or officials prior to going forward.