Living in Korea as a foreigner means dealing with addresses in many situations — from alien registration to online shopping to opening a bank account. This guide covers everything you need to know.
1. Alien Registration Card (ARC) and Your Address
Foreigners staying in Korea for more than 90 days must register their address with immigration. The registered address becomes your official Korean address, used for all government and financial purposes.
- Where: Immigration office or local community center (주민센터)
- Documents: Passport, rental contract or accommodation confirmation
- Address changes must be reported within 14 days of moving
2. Finding Your Address
Korea uses the road name address (도로명주소) as the official system. You can find it:
- On the entrance or mailbox of your building
- On this site by searching your building name or old lot-number address
- The English version is also provided for use in foreign documents
3. Writing Your Address in English
Example: 서울특별시 마포구 와우산로 94, 102동 304호
- English: Bldg 102, Unit 304, 94, Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- ZIP Code: find it by searching on this site
4. Key Address Terms
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 도로명주소 | Road name address (official system since 2014) |
| 우편번호 | Postal code / ZIP code (5 digits) |
| 동 (棟) | Building number (in apartment complexes) |
| 호 (號) | Unit / apartment number |