Re-entry & travel

Leaving Korea and coming back without losing your status. The 1-year rule and common mistakes.

In short

Once you have your ARC (residence card), most long-term residents can leave and re-enter Korea freely. You don't need a separate re-entry permit for trips under 1 year.
Stay abroad 1 year or more and you must get a multiple re-entry permit before leaving, or your visa is cancelled.
F-5 permanent residents get a longer window: re-enter within 2 years without a permit.
Two things to watch: the exemption can't exceed your remaining stay period, and if your ARC application is still pending, leaving can cancel it.

Korea dropped the routine re-entry permit years ago. For normal trips home or holidays abroad, registered residents just travel on their passport + ARC. There are still a few rules to follow, and if you get them wrong you can lose your visa. Always confirm your case with 1345 or HiKorea.

The basic rule

If you're a registered foreigner (you have your ARC) and re-enter Korea under the same status:

Within 1 year of departure → no re-entry permit needed (exemption). Applies to most long-term statuses (A, D, E, F-1/2/3/6, G, H, etc.).
1 to 2 years abroad → you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit before you leave (free, via HiKorea or an immigration office). A 2-year period is granted.
Over 2 years abroad → generally not covered, and your status lapses. Plan ahead.
F-5 permanent residents: exempt if re-entering within 2 years (not 1).
F-4 overseas Koreans: follow separate Overseas Koreans Act rules (re-entry within the authorized stay), which are different from the rules for ARC holders.

Something people often miss: "within 1 year is OK" only up to your remaining period of stay. If your ARC expires in 4 months and you go abroad for 6, the exemption ends at your expiry and you'd come back to an expired status. Check your ARC expiry against your trip, and count the year from your departure date.

Before you travel: checklist

Check your ARC expiry vs your return date. If your stay would run out while abroad, sort an extension or re-entry permit first.
Check passport validity. Stay permission is usually only granted within your passport's validity.
Going abroad 1+ year? Apply for a multiple re-entry permit before departure (HiKorea e-application or immigration office).
ARC still processing? Don't leave. A pending application is usually cancelled if you depart. If you must go, call 1345 at least ~5 business days ahead to confirm.
Moved recently? Report your address change within 14–15 days. An unreported move plus a trip can cause problems on return.
Owe taxes/health insurance? Arrears can bring stay-period disadvantages at your next extension, so clear them.

Students & special cases

D-2/D-4 students: same 1-year exemption, but if your academic status changes (withdraw, leave of absence, graduation), your visa can expire regardless of the ARC date, and you may have to leave within 30 days. Check with your school's international office.
Short-term/visa-free visitors: the K-ETA itself acts as a multiple re-entry authorization for short stays (K-ETA becomes required again from Jan 1, 2027; a waiver runs through end-2026 for many nationalities). This is separate from resident re-entry.
Returning your ARC = permanent departure. If you hand in your card at the airport, your status ends. Only do this if you're leaving for good.

Common questions

Do I need a re-entry permit for a holiday abroad?

No. With your ARC, trips under 1 year (2 for F-5) need no permit, as long as it's within your remaining stay period.

What if I'll be abroad for 14 months?

Apply for a multiple re-entry permit before leaving (free, HiKorea/immigration office). Without it your visa is cancelled.

Can I travel while my ARC is still being processed?

Better not to. Leaving usually cancels a pending application. If unavoidable, confirm with 1345 well in advance.

Does leaving reset an about-to-expire visa?

No. Extend before you travel. Re-entry doesn't extend your period of stay.

Sources: Korea Immigration Service / Ministry of Justice re-entry rules (enforcement rules effective Nov 2025), HiKorea, university international-office guidance, and 2026 re-entry guides. F-5: 2-year window; general long-term: 1-year exemption.

Last verified: July 2026. Re-entry rules and K-ETA dates change and vary by status, so check with HiKorea, 1345, or a licensed 행정사 before travelling. General information, not immigration advice.

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