What to do now, by days remaining
You can apply for a stay-period extension from 4 months before your expiry date until the expiry date itself (Immigration Act Art. 25; Gov24 foreigner portal). Find your band below and act. Check your remaining days with the WeBring visa calculator.
120+ days left
You cannot apply yet — the extension window opens 4 months before expiry.
- Prepare documents early: integrated application form, passport, Alien Registration Card, proof of residence (e.g. lease), and documents for your visa type. See the HiKorea guide by visa status.
- Set D-120, D-30 and D-7 calendar reminders in the visa calculator.
- If your study or job status will change, you may need a change of status (fee 100,000 KRW) instead of an extension — ask 1345 (Immigration Contact Center, multilingual) early.
30–119 days left
This is the normal application window. Apply now.
- Apply online via HiKorea e-Application — fee 50,000 KRW (60,000 KRW in person; 30,000 KRW for marriage migrant F-6). Some visa types must apply in person (Ministry of Justice Notice 2023-389).
- If you are not eligible online, book a visit at HiKorea Visit Reservation (24 h). Slots fill up in busy seasons, so book early in this band.
- Documents: integrated application form, passport, Alien Registration Card, proof of residence, and status-specific documents (Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Annex 5-2).
Less than 30 days left
Urgent — you must file by the expiry date itself. If the date passes without a filed application, you are overstaying from that day (violation of Immigration Act Art. 25).
- Try the e-Application today; if you are not eligible or it fails, book a visit reservation immediately.
- If no slot is available before expiry, call 1345, explain your situation and follow the instructions of your local immigration office (multilingual).
- Even if some documents are missing, ask whether you can file first. Filing late is always worse than filing incomplete.
- WeBring (KakaoTalk / WhatsApp) can help you prepare documents and book in your language — but the application itself must be filed by you with immigration.
Expiry date has passed
You are already overstaying. Contacting an immigration office as soon as possible is the only way to limit the consequences.
- Fines grow with the length of overstay (Enforcement Rule, Annex 7): under 1 month 500,000 KRW → 1–3 months 1,000,000 → 3–6 months 2,000,000 → 6–12 months 5,000,000 → 1–2 years 10,000,000 → 2–3 years 15,000,000 → 3–5 years 20,000,000 → 5–7 years 25,000,000 → 7+ years 30,000,000 KRW. The statutory maximum is 3 years imprisonment or a 30,000,000 KRW fine (Art. 94(17)), and you may be subject to deportation (Art. 46).
- Being caught in enforcement leads to deportation and an entry ban; if you report and depart voluntarily, an entry ban may be suspended after paying the fine. The Ministry of Justice sometimes runs temporary "special voluntary departure" periods with fines waived (most recent: 1 Dec 2025 – 28 Feb 2026). Check current status via Korea Immigration Service notices or 1345.
- Call 1345 now or visit your local immigration office to report voluntarily. WeBring can interpret and help with paperwork along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply for a visa extension?
From 4 months before your expiry date until the expiry date itself (Gov24 foreigner portal). The HiKorea e-Application fee is 50,000 KRW; applying in person is 60,000 KRW (30,000 KRW for marriage migrant F-6), and some visa types must apply in person. Visits require a HiKorea reservation, so start as soon as the window opens. See the day-by-day guide above.
What happens if I overstay?
Fines run from 500,000 KRW (under 1 month) to 30,000,000 KRW (7+ years) depending on how long you overstay (Enforcement Rule, Annex 7), and can lead to deportation and an entry ban. If your date has already passed, call 1345 to be guided through voluntary reporting. WeBring can interpret and help with documents.
What documents do I need for an extension?
It depends on your visa status. Commonly: passport, ARC, application form, and fee, plus status-specific proof (enrollment certificate, employment contract...). Ask us for the exact list for your visa.
Can someone help me through the process?
Yes. WeBring guides you through documents and procedures in your language. Start with a free KakaoTalk consultation.