🚨 Lost Your Passport or ARC in Korea? Here's What You Should Do

Losing important identification documents can happen to anyone. If you lose your passport or ARC in Korea, staying calm and taking the proper steps as soon as possible can help prevent unnecessary problems.
🪪 If You Lost Your ARC (Alien Registration Card)
Report the loss as soon as possible and apply for a replacement within 15 days of the loss or damage. You can make an appointment through Hi Korea and visit the immigration office.
To apply, you'll generally need:
A valid passport
One passport-sized photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
An Integrated Application Form
The replacement fee is KRW 35,000, and processing usually takes 2–6 weeks. During this period, some services requiring identity verification may be temporarily unavailable.
📘 If You Lost Your Passport
Report the loss to the nearest police station, then contact your country's embassy or consulate to apply for a replacement passport.
The required documents, fees, and processing times vary depending on your nationality, so check directly with your embassy or consulate.
🔄 Got a New Passport?
Receiving a new passport does not automatically update your immigration records.
If you receive a replacement passport while staying in Korea, you should report your new passport information to the immigration office. In most cases, this should be done within 15 days after you actually receive your new passport. The update can usually be completed through Hi Korea or by visiting the immigration office.
If there was a delay between the passport's issue date and the date you received it, you may need documents from your embassy confirming the actual delivery date.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many problems occur because people wait too long or don't know the correct procedures. Avoid these common mistakes:
Waiting several days before reporting the loss
Sharing photos of your passport or ARC on social media or group chats
Giving your personal information to someone claiming they can handle everything for you
Ignoring the risk of personal information being misused
Missing the 15-day deadline for replacing an ARC or reporting passport information changes
📌 Final Reminder
Losing your passport or ARC does not automatically cancel your visa. However, delaying the replacement process or failing to report important changes may result in administrative fines or cause difficulties with future immigration procedures.
Always check the latest procedures, required documents, processing times, and fees with Hi Korea, the immigration office, or your embassy or consulate, as requirements may vary depending on your nationality and personal circumstances.