The Millo Blog Editorial Team reviewed official government sources from Gov.kr, Hi Korea, and the Ministry of Justice to verify these procedures. Updated August 8, 2026.
Learning how to use South Korea government websites for foreigners is the most efficient way to handle your visa, residency, and administrative paperwork without visiting a government office in person. Most essential services are centralized across a few primary portals, including Government24 for general administration and Hi Korea for immigration matters. While these systems are powerful, they often require specific identity verification and a clear understanding of which portal handles which task to avoid delays or fraudulent third-party sites.
Which government portals should foreigners use?
Depending on your needs—whether you are planning your move or are already a resident—you will interact with different platforms. The Korean government uses the .go.kr domain for official sites; if a site does not end in this domain, exercise extreme caution.
| Portal Name | Primary Purpose | Best For… |
|---|---|---|
| Government24 (gov.kr) | Integrated Administrative Services | General certificates and public documents |
| Hi Korea (hikorea.go.kr) | Immigration & Stay Management | Visa extensions, status changes, and ARC tasks |
| e-Arrival Card (e-arrivalcard.go.kr) | Entry Declaration | Digital entry forms before arriving in Korea |
| Easy to Find, Practical Law (easylaw.go.kr) | Legal Information | Understanding employment and visa laws |
Government24 (gov.kr)
This is the primary integrated portal for all South Korean government services. It features a dedicated section for foreign residents to access various administrative documents. Be aware that most personal services on this portal require a secure identity verification (authentication) process before you can download documents or submit applications.
Hi Korea (hikorea.go.kr)
For any matter involving your legal right to stay in the country, Hi Korea is the essential portal. It serves as the specialized e-government hub for immigration services, including visa applications and the management of your stay status.
e-Arrival Card (e-arrivalcard.go.kr)
This is the only authorized portal for submitting electronic entry declarations. It is designed to streamline the process of entering the country by allowing travelers to submit their information digitally before arrival.
Easy to Find, Practical Law (easylaw.go.kr)
If you need to understand the legal framework surrounding your stay, the “Easy to Find, Practical Law” portal provides multilingual guidance. It covers topics such as employment rights and visa regulations. Note that this site provides general legal information for public convenience; it does not offer authoritative, case-specific legal representation or direct legal reviews of individual situations.
How to manage visas and stay status online?
Managing your immigration status is one of the most critical administrative tasks for any expat. The primary tool for this is Hi Korea, which integrates services from the Ministry of Justice.
Common tasks on Hi Korea
- Visa Issuance: Finding procedures for obtaining specific visa types.
- Stay Status Management: Applying for extensions of stay or changing your visa status (for example, moving from a D-2 student visa to a D-10 job seeker visa).
- Appointment Scheduling: Booking visits to local immigration offices to avoid long queues.
Seeking further immigration help
If the online portal does not answer your specific question, the government provides a dedicated phone line for immigration inquiries. You can call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 (without an area code) for guidance. If you are calling from outside Korea, use +82-1345 or +82-2-6908-1345~6.
How to complete an e-Arrival Card safely?
The government has issued warnings regarding fraudulent websites that impersonate the official e-Arrival Card service. To ensure your data is safe, only use e-arrivalcard.go.kr. The official service is free; any website requesting payment for an entry declaration is fraudulent.
To complete your declaration, you must submit the form within three days before your arrival in Korea. The process generally follows these steps:
- Agreement: Accept the terms and conditions and provide a valid email address.
- Passport Details: Enter your information exactly as it appears on your valid passport.
- Travel Itinerary: Provide details regarding your arrival, departure, and intended stay.
- Verification: Review all entered information for accuracy.
- Submission: Submit the completed form digitally.
How to verify if a government website is official?
Because administrative services are high-value targets for phishing, it is important to verify every site you use. Follow these three rules to stay secure:
- Check the domain: Official Korean government websites almost always end in
.go.kr. - Beware of fees: Essential entry services, such as the e-Arrival Card, are provided without charge. Be suspicious of any portal asking for a “processing fee” via credit card.
- Cross-reference: If you are unsure about a link, go to a known primary portal like Government24 or the official Seoul Foreign Portal to find verified links to other services.
Where to find local administrative help in Seoul?
For those living in the capital, the Seoul Foreign Portal provides a bridge between digital services and in-person support. This portal is particularly useful for finding the physical locations of support centers.
Available support centers
Depending on your district, you can access specialized help at several locations:
- Foreign Resident Centers: Located in areas such as Gangnam, Geumcheon, Seongbuk, and Yangcheon.
- Global Village Centers: Available in Mapo-gu, Yongsan-gu, and others.
- Seoul Global Center: Located in Jongno-gu for comprehensive administrative and living support.
These centers can help you navigate the digital portals mentioned above if you encounter technical issues or language barriers during the authentication process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a digital certificate to use Government24?
Yes, most personal administrative services on Government24 require identity verification. This usually involves a digital certificate or a verified mobile phone number registered in your name in Korea.
What should I do if I cannot find my visa type on Hi Korea?
First, check the “Information Sharing Corner” and the “Immigration/Stay Guide” on the Hi Korea website. If the information is still unclear, call the 1345 Immigration Contact Center for official guidance.
Is the e-Arrival Card mandatory for all travelers?
Requirements vary based on your visa, K-ETA status, or residence card. You can use the “Navigator” tool on the official e-Arrival Card website to check if you are specifically required to submit a declaration based on your entry credentials.
Next steps for foreign residents
To prepare your digital administrative toolkit, we recommend the following actions:
- Bookmark the essentials: Save
gov.krandhikorea.go.krto your browser to avoid clicking on suspicious search results. - Verify your identity: Ensure your mobile phone is registered in your name, as this is the primary method for verifying your identity on government portals.
- Save the hotline: Add 1345 to your contacts for immediate immigration assistance.
Official sources
- Seoul Foreign Portal
- Official e-Arrival Card Website
- Hi Korea Immigration Portal
- Easy to Find, Practical Law