Starting in 2025, the South Korean government will fully implement a mobile alien registration card system, allowing foreign residents to use a digital version of their physical ID for official and everyday purposes. This change aims to streamline immigration administration and enhance the convenience and security of identification for foreign nationals. The mobile card carries the same legal validity as the physical Alien Registration Card (ARC) and is expected to become the new standard for identity verification among foreign residents in Korea.
Background and Policy Development
The physical ARC has been the primary form of ID for foreign nationals in Korea, required for activities such as opening a bank account, signing up for mobile phone services, visiting hospitals, and accessing public services. However, several issues have been consistently raised:
- High risk of loss or damage of the physical card
- Increasing incidents of forgery and identity theft
- Limited compatibility with digital government services
- Disadvantages when the card is not carried in person
To address these challenges, the Korean government decided to digitize the ARC as part of its national digital ID initiative, following the successful introduction of mobile driver's licenses and mobile resident registration cards. Pilot programs in Seoul and Busan during 2024 showed over 90% user satisfaction, paving the way for nationwide implementation in 2025.
Eligibility and Requirements
The mobile ARC is available to both existing ARC holders and new applicants. Eligibility requirements include:
- Foreign nationals residing in Korea for more than 90 days and required to register
- All visa types including D-2 (student), E-9 (worker), H-2 (visiting employment), F-6 (marriage migrant), D-8 (investor), etc.
- Must be aged 17 or older and own a personal smartphone
In the near future, holders of residence cards, refugee status certificates, and other identification forms for foreign residents will also be included in the mobile system.
Application Process and How It Works
Applicants can download the “Mobile ID” app provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety via Google Play or Apple App Store. The registration process includes:
- Download and open the app → Authenticate via mobile verification or I-PIN
- Face recognition or fingerprint biometric verification
- Automatic syncing with immigration database
- Approval within 1–2 business days, followed by activation of the mobile ARC inside the app
The mobile ARC features a scannable QR code and dynamic digital ID display, accepted just like the physical ARC in most official situations.
Where and How the Mobile ARC Can Be Used
The mobile alien registration card can be used for a wide range of services and legal identifications:
- Banks and financial institutions: account opening, foreign currency transactions
- Hospitals and pharmacies: identity verification for health insurance and treatment
- Telecom and Internet providers: phone and internet service sign-ups
- Government offices: immigration, police stations, district offices
- Everyday services: hotels, convenience stores (age verification), parcel pickup
It is also compatible with online government portals like Government24, Hometax, NHIS (Health Insurance), enabling digital access to public services.
Security Features and Technology
The mobile ARC system is built on advanced cybersecurity protocols including:
- Real-time, regenerating QR codes to prevent duplication
- Stored screenshots or saved images are automatically invalidated
- Server-side verification system checks ID authenticity live
- Auto logout and screen timeout features enhance security
In case of smartphone loss or theft, users can immediately disable the mobile card through the app, and reissue a new one without reapplying for a physical ARC.
Limitations and Important Notes
- The mobile ARC is only usable on the user’s own device (no shared phones or tablets)
- If your phone is broken or lost, alternative ID methods (e.g., printed ARC, reissuance) must be used
- Screenshots or static images of the mobile card are not accepted by institutions
Future Expansion and Policy Goals
As of July 2025, the mobile ARC will be fully accepted at all immigration offices and most public institutions in Korea. The government also plans to:
- Gradually phase out physical cards for certain visa types by 2026
- Introduce AI-powered ID verification tools for institutions
- Extend mobile ID services to include residence cards, refugee IDs, and work permits
The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior are working jointly to integrate the mobile ARC with broader national identity frameworks.
Conclusion
The mobile alien registration card represents a major advancement in Korea’s immigration and digital governance policy. By replacing physical documents with secure, real-time mobile IDs, foreign residents gain faster, more convenient access to services while contributing to a more efficient and trustworthy administrative system. All eligible foreign nationals are encouraged to learn the process and apply in advance to prepare for this new standard in identity management.