Head Office
Korea Immigration Service
Bldg 1, Gwacheon Govt Complex,
47, Gwanmun-ro, Gwacheon-si, Geyonggi-do
South Korea
Support
Phone: 1345 (immigration contact center)
Phone: +82-2-6908-1345 (immigration contact center)
Phone: 1577-1350 (recruitment related concerns)
Phone: +82-2-2100-2114 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Email: hikorea@hikorea.go.kr (Hi Korea support)
____
About Korea Immigration Service
The Korea Immigration Service is responsible for implementing immigration policies in South Korea. It is headed by the Ministry of Justice. As for visas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees the policies and laws concerning visas and passports. Visitors to South Korea must have a passport and valid visa issued by the embassy or local consular. Citizens of some countries are permitted visa-free entry for 30-60 days. The list includes Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, US, Canada, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. The Korea Immigration Service is headed by the Commissioner and under him comes the Director General. The Director General is responsible for immigration planning, immigration clearance, visa policy-making and issuance, and screening immigration offenders. Formed in the year 1961, KIS operates 19 immigration offices and 23 branch offices. The immigration offices are located in Gwanju, Busan, Yeosu, Jeju, Gimpo, Seoul, Ulsan, Changwon, Gimhae, Incheon, Cheongju, Daegu, Suwon, Chuncheon, Daejeon, Yangju, and Jeonju.
There are single entry and multiple entry visas for visitors. Visa types include tourist/transit, short term visit, short term business, business visitor, student visa, visiting visas, and working visa. They are categorised under A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,M,T visas. The Hi Korea website allows foreigners to reserve appointment or submit e-application for extension of stay, change of visa status, issuance of registration card, re-entry permit or issuance of visa issuance certificate. Application must be made at the administrative facilities after reserving an appointment. Status of applications can be viewed online.
Immigration and visa related forms are also available on the website for download. For more information or queries on passport applications, visa status, evisas, payment, refund, or others, reach the Korea Immigration Service support.
