Written by — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Reviewed March 2026
Visa Process
What Is HiKorea?
Definition
HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) is the Korean Immigration Service's official online portal where foreigners can apply for visa extensions, status changes, ARC issuance, and re-entry permits without visiting an immigration office.
HiKorea is operated by the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) under the Ministry of Justice. It allows registered foreigners to handle most routine immigration tasks online: extending your stay (체류기간 연장), changing your sojourn status (체류자격 변경), applying for or renewing your ARC (외국인등록), and requesting re-entry permits. The portal requires an ARC number for login and supports English and Korean. For first-time ARC registration, you still need to visit an immigration office in person. Processing times vary by task — extensions submitted online are typically reviewed within 3–10 business days, while in-person applications at busy offices often take longer.
Why it matters
HiKorea can save you hours of waiting at the immigration office for routine renewals and extensions. However, the portal can be confusing to navigate in a second language and the online system occasionally has technical issues. An immigration consultant can submit applications on your behalf and track their status, which is especially helpful when timelines are tight.