There's a particular kind of anxiety that hits when you glance at your ARC and realize the expiry date is closer than you thought. Maybe it's three months away. Maybe it's six weeks. Maybe — and I genuinely hope this isn't you — it's next Tuesday. Whatever the situation, extending your visa in Korea is entirely manageable once you know what the process actually looks like.

This guide covers the real mechanics of visa extension in Korea: when to apply, how to apply, what documents to gather, and the pitfalls that catch people off guard every single year.

Wait — Can Your Visa Even Be Extended?

Before anything else, it's worth being honest about one common misconception: not every visa in Korea can be extended.

If you entered Korea under a visa-free arrangement — which applies to nationals of many countries who can stay for up to 90 days without a visa — that 90-day period cannot be extended. You have to leave the country and re-enter. The same general rule applies to standard tourist visas. A lot of people arrive assuming they can just pop into an immigration office and get more time tacked on; that's not how it works for short-term entry.

Long-term visas are a different story entirely. If you're on an E-2 (English teacher), D-2 (university student), D-4 (language school student), F-series (family or residency), H-1 (working holiday), or the newer digital nomad workcation visa, you can apply for an extension — formally called a 체류기간연장허가, or Sojourn Period Extension Permit. The rest of this guide is for you.

The 4-Month Window — And Why It Matters More Than You Think

Here's the rule that most people either don't know or keep meaning to act on: you can apply for a visa extension starting 4 months (120 days) before your expiry date. You can also apply on the day itself — but not a single day after.

That last part is what catches people. If your visa expires and you haven't applied yet, you're officially overstaying, and that comes with a fine under Article 25 of Korea's Immigration Control Act. It also goes on your immigration record, which can cause headaches the next time you need to do anything visa-related.

In practice, most people find that applying one to two months ahead hits the sweet spot. You're well inside the window, you have time to gather any missing documents, and if the immigration office needs anything extra from you, there's breathing room to sort it out without your legal stay evaporating in the background.

To check your exact expiry date, log into HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr), go to 정보조회, and look under 체류만료일조회. It's also printed on your Alien Registration Card — but double-check the ARC date against your actual allowed stay period, because sometimes people assume these are the same and they're not always.

How to Actually Apply

There are two ways to do this: online through HiKorea, or in person at the immigration office that covers your registered address.

The Online Route

HiKorea's electronic civil affairs system (전자민원) at hikorea.go.kr theoretically lets you handle the whole thing from your laptop. You go to 민원신청, then 전자민원, fill out the application, upload your documents, and pay online. In a perfect world, that's it.

The honest caveat: the online system requires an authentication method that many foreigners find genuinely painful to set up. The website is primarily in Korean, and certain credential types are needed to log in properly. If you're tech-comfortable and have set up Korean-compatible authentication before, give it a try. If not, don't attempt the online system the night before your deadline. It has a way of becoming a multi-hour ordeal precisely when you can least afford it. Check the official site for the current authentication requirements before committing.

Going In Person

For most expats, the immigration office visit is the more reliable option — especially for your first extension. The key is to book an appointment. HiKorea has an online reservation system (방문예약), and using it can mean the difference between a 20-minute visit and a 3-hour wait. Seoul's immigration offices in particular get genuinely busy, and walk-in queues can be brutal.

When you show up, you'll take a number, submit your documents at the counter, pay the fee (roughly 60,000 KRW — verify the current amount on the official site since fees do change), and get a receipt. Your ARC will be updated with the new expiry date, either the same day or at a follow-up pickup.

If you're not sure which office covers your address, HiKorea has a tool for that too under 관할 출입국.외국인관서 조회. Going to the wrong office is a real way to lose a half-day, so check first.

What You'll Need to Bring

The core documents are the same for most visa types: your valid passport, your ARC, the extension application form (available at the office or downloadable from HiKorea), and proof of your address in Korea.

Beyond that, it depends on your visa category.

If you're an E-2 English teacher, your employer needs to provide a current employment contract, a letter supporting the extension, and you'll likely need an up-to-date criminal background check — the original, sealed, apostilled version, not a scan you printed at home. These checks have validity periods, so make sure yours isn't expired before you submit. Some schools are diligent about coordinating this with you; others will leave it entirely to you to sort out.

D-2 university students typically need an enrollment certificate (재학증명서) and transcript from their school, plus proof they can financially support themselves. Many universities have international student offices that handle a good chunk of this process for you — but don't assume yours will remind you proactively.

D-4 language school students need an enrollment certificate, attendance records, and financial proof. The attendance threshold is something to be aware of: if you've been skipping a lot of class, it can affect your eligibility, so check your numbers before applying.

For F-series visas, requirements vary by sub-type. If you're on an F-6 (marriage migration visa), there are additional restrictions on who can apply on your behalf — proxy applications for F-6 are limited, so don't send a friend to the office without verifying that's allowed for your situation.

For the digital nomad workcation visa, you'll need proof of remote employment and documentation showing your income meets the required threshold. Since this visa launched in January 2024, its extension requirements may have been updated — check the official site or call 1345 for the latest.

The Stuff Nobody Tells You

The single biggest pain point for E-2 teachers in Korea isn't paperwork — it's the fact that employers have significant influence over the visa renewal process. There are documented cases of schools using visa extension as leverage in labor disputes, threatening to contact immigration if a teacher files complaints about unpaid wages or contract violations. This is genuinely a thing that happens.

If you find yourself in that situation, contact immigration directly at 1345 as soon as possible and explain your circumstances. In at least some cases, immigration offices have granted short emergency extensions to give teachers time to resolve legal matters. Document everything in writing, and don't wait to reach out.

For everyone else, the most common non-dramatic mistake is simply not booking an appointment. The 방문예약 system exists for a reason. Use it.

Another common issue: going to the wrong immigration office because you moved and never updated your registered address. Jurisdiction matters. If your records still show an old address in a different district, the office serving your current area may turn you away.

And if anything in the process feels unclear — a document requirement that doesn't match what you read online, a processing time that seems off — call 1345. The helpline handles questions in multiple languages and is generally one of the more useful government services available to foreigners. From outside Korea, the number is +82-2-1345.

One More Thing About Timing

If you apply before your expiry date but haven't received a decision by the time the date passes, hold onto your application receipt. You are legally protected from overstay penalties while your application is being processed. Your receipt is proof that you're in the system, so don't lose it.

Visa extension in Korea is one of those processes that feels more intimidating than it is. The window is generous, the options are real, and the helpline actually helps. Just don't leave it until the last week.

Immigration rules and fee amounts change. Always verify current requirements on HiKorea or by calling 1345 before you apply.