Korean Job Discussion Forums

[plato's republic]

I've recently renewed my passport, and as a consequence my passport number has now changed. My current visa expires at the end of March 2016 and I'll be leaving Korea for good a few weeks before then, so do I need to go to immigration and inform them of the recent change? I've been at my current job for almost four years now under the same visa if that makes any difference.

Thanks.

[coralreefer_1]

Yes of course. And dont wait long to inform them..otherwise you may get slapped with a fat fine.

[malaz]

You should. call 1345 to confirm.

Also you should tell your bank and give them a copy of your new passport. Unless you want to get stranded in Thailand with no working credit/ATM cards and live few days like a hobo.

[plato's republic]

@malaz,

What does Thailand have to do with anything??? No need to tell my Korean bank as I'll be closing my account.

[sligo]

When they scan your new passport as you leave they will see no indication of you entering on the new passport. As your new passport will have the date of issue on it, they will calculate any fine based on that.

Generally you have 14 days to report changes, after that a fine will be issued:
http://www.korea4expats.com/article-foreign-residents-report-passport-changes.html

[plato's republic]

Can I make photocopies at immigration or do I need to bring them with me?

[schwa]

Photocopies of what? Fill out a simple form there & show them your ARC & new passport, thats it. Free if done in time (two weeks). Subject to fines if not.

[wings]

I've gotten my passport renewed twice in Korea, and left the country dozens of times, and renewed my visa several times on new passports. I never informed immigration and have never had a fine.

[plato's republic]

Just to add an update. I went to immigration yesterday (about five weeks after my passport was issued) and didn't have to pay any fine. I needed to make a photocopy of the information page in my passport, and I showed the officer my new/old passport and my ARC. In and out in ten minutes. I went first thing in the morning, so maybe the fine thing depends on time of day/mood of immi officer you have to deal with.

[Patong Dong]

You also can do it by fax. No need to go in. Just download and fill in the sheet from the website and fax it in with a copy of your passport. You'll know it's gone through when you receive a confirmation page from the Ministry.