If you’re applying for an ARC (Residence Card), extending your stay, or handling immigration reporting in Korea, you’ll often need a HiKorea appointment. The problem is that many foreigners get stuck on the same issues: no available slots, confusing menus, login/verification errors, and booking the wrong immigration office.
This guide shows you how to book a HiKorea visit reservation in English, what to prepare before you click anything, and how to fix the most common “it won’t work” problems. Requirements and interface details can change—so always start from official pages.
Official Links (Bookmark These First)
- HiKorea (English): https://www.hikorea.go.kr/
- Visit Reservation Intro (rules & how it works): https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt
- Korea Immigration Service (English portal): https://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/
Before You Book: 3 Things That Prevent 80% of Booking Failures
1) Know your service type. ARC registration, visa extension, reporting, etc. Booking the wrong category can lead to “wrong counter / rebook required.”
2) Use the correct immigration office (jurisdiction matters). Many services must be handled by the office responsible for your registered address. If you choose the wrong office, staff may refuse service even if you have a reservation.
3) Make your identity details consistent. Use the exact same spelling/format as your passport (name order, capitalization, hyphens, spaces). A mismatch is a common reason for verification or lookup errors.
Step-by-Step: HiKorea Appointment Booking (English)
HiKorea’s visit reservation system is the official way to book many immigration visits. Start from the official reservation intro page so you understand the rules (for example, many reservations cannot be made for the same day).
Open the official reservation page: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt
- Go to HiKorea (English) and enter the Visit Reservation area.
- Log in or verify (member login or the method the site offers for your case).
- Select your service (e.g., ARC/registration, extension, etc.).
- Select the correct immigration office (based on your address/jurisdiction).
- Choose a date/time slot and submit the reservation.
- Save proof (confirmation page screenshot + any email/SMS confirmation).
Pro tip: After booking, create a small “Korea Immigration” folder (phone + cloud) and store: passport biodata photo, reservation proof, address proof, and your checklist. This prevents last-minute panic.
Fix #1: “No Slots Available” (What Actually Works)
“No slots” usually doesn’t mean you can’t apply—it means the office/time window is fully booked. Here are practical moves that commonly help:
- Check at multiple times of day: new slots can appear when cancellations happen.
- Try different time windows: early morning or mid-week slots may open more often than late afternoons.
- Confirm you selected the correct office/service: some categories show fewer slots than others.
- Expand your date range: look 2–4 weeks out instead of only the next few days.
If you still can’t find a slot, use the official Korea Immigration portal to locate guidance and contact routes for your situation.
Official Immigration (English portal): https://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/
Fix #2: Login / Verification Errors
When login/verification fails, it’s often caused by identity formatting (name/passport), session issues, or using an unsupported browser/device setup. Try these fixes in order:
- Re-enter your name exactly as on your passport (same order, same spacing/hyphens).
- Try a different browser (Chrome vs Edge) and avoid private/incognito mode if the site relies on sessions.
- Disable auto-translation extensions temporarily (they can break form fields/buttons).
- Clear cookies/site data for HiKorea, then retry from the official reservation intro page.
Important: If you keep getting “name mismatch” type failures, do not “guess” variations. Start from your passport and copy the exact spelling, including middle name if your passport includes it.
Fix #3: Passport Number / Date Format Issues
HiKorea forms can be sensitive to formatting. Common pitfalls include entering spaces, wrong date order, or including extra characters. If the system refuses your input:
- Remove spaces and retype the passport number carefully.
- Follow the site’s date format exactly (don’t assume your country format).
- If your name has special characters, try the exact Romanization shown on the passport MRZ line (the machine-readable line at the bottom).
Fix #4: You Booked the Wrong Office (This Happens a Lot)
If you booked an office that does not handle your jurisdiction/service type, you may be turned away. The fastest solution is usually to cancel and rebook correctly (as early as possible).
Best practice: keep your address proof consistent with your booking. If your housing changed after booking and your jurisdiction changed, re-check whether you must book a different office.
After Booking: What to Bring to the Appointment
Document lists vary by service (ARC vs extension vs reporting), but a safe base pack includes:
- Passport (original) + copies
- Appointment proof (screenshot/print)
- Address proof (contract/dorm letter, etc.)
- Photo (if required for your service)
- Service-specific documents (your checklist from the official guidance)
For ARC-specific requirements (including photo size guidance), always cross-check the Ministry of Justice / Immigration guidance pages and your office’s instructions.
FAQ (Fast Answers)
Q1) Can I book a same-day appointment?
HiKorea’s visit reservation intro page explains reservation rules; in many cases, same-day reservations are not allowed. Always check the official reservation rules for the current policy.
Q2) I’m in a rush. Should I refresh all day?
Refreshing can work when cancellations occur, but the smarter method is to check multiple times per day, widen your date range, and ensure you selected the correct office/service category.
Q3) Do I need an appointment for everything?
Not every immigration action is identical, but many major services run through the reservation system to manage visits. Start from the official HiKorea reservation intro page and confirm what applies to your service.
Q4) Where do I start if I’m totally lost?
Start from HiKorea (English) and the official Korea Immigration Service (English portal), then follow the service guidance for your exact case.