Diego's E-7 permission ran until 14 March. In early March his manager said the new contract would be ready "next week." It arrived on the 16th.
By then Diego was two days past his stay, and the immigration officer started talking about a fine.
Your period of stay (체류기간) ends on the date printed on your ARC record, and an extension must be filed before that day. You can apply up to 4 months early, so the safe habit is to file as soon as your paperwork is ready, not in the final week.
Extensions: the timeline
- Check your expiry date on HiKorea or your mobile ARC.
- Gather documents. These depend on your visa: a new employment contract and the employer’s business registration (E-2, E-7), a certificate of enrollment and transcript (D-2), or proof of income and residence. Many visas also need proof that health insurance premiums are paid up.
- Apply through HiKorea e-application, if your visa type allows it, or book a visit.
- Keep the receipt. While an application filed on time is being processed, you may stay in Korea legally even after the old date passes.
Waiting for the employer's final signature until the last week, then finding no appointment slots.
Applying 1–2 months early with what you have, then adding documents if the officer asks.
Unpaid health insurance premiums can shorten or block an extension. If you've fallen behind, pay the arrears before you apply. See our health insurance guide.
Traveling abroad on an ARC
Registered foreigners don’t need a re-entry permit when they come back within 1 year of leaving, or within 2 years for F-5 permanent residents, as long as their stay is still valid on the day they return.
Your stay is valid until 30 June. You fly home on 1 June for a month.
You return on 1 July, one day after your stay ended, so you can't re-enter on that status.
Fix: extend before you leave, or plan to be back before 30 June.
Leaving Korea for good
Hand in your ARC at departure immigration, or tell the officer you’re leaving permanently. Before you go, collect your severance and your National Pension refund if you qualify.
Questions about your own case go to the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 (English and 20+ languages).
Sources: Immigration Act art. 25 (extension of stay), 30 (re-entry permit exemption); HiKorea guide to extension of sojourn period.
Written from the laws and official notices in force on the date above. Rules change and every case is different, so check with the office named in the article before an important decision. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.