How to Contact Korea Immigration and Understand Their Text Message Alerts

Need help with your visa? Here’s how to reach Korean Immigration

If you’re living in Korea as a foreigner, there will come a time when you need to contact the immigration office—whether it’s to extend your visa, change your address, or confirm an application.

So you might wonder, “How do I contact Korea immigration?” or even, “Does immigration send text messages?” We’ll cover all that below with official contact methods and important safety tips.

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Method 1: Call 1345 – Korea Immigration Contact Center (KICC)

The easiest and fastest way to contact immigration is by dialing **1345** from your mobile or landline phone while in Korea.

✅ Supported Languages:
– Korean
– English
– Chinese
– Vietnamese
– Tagalog
– Thai
– Mongolian
– And more

✅ Operating Hours:
– Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on holidays)

You don’t need an area code—just dial **1345** directly.

📞 Learn more about the 1345 hotline here

Method 2: Visit the Immigration Office In Person

If your matter requires biometric registration, address change, or visa application, you’ll likely need to visit your local immigration office.

Steps to make an appointment:

Visit the HiKorea website
Click “Reservation (Visit Appointment)”
Log in with your ARC number and set your schedule

👉 Check immigration office locations here

💡 Important: Walk-in services are limited. You MUST make a reservation online in most cases.

Method 3: Use the HiKorea Online Inquiry System

If you don’t want to call or visit, you can send an online inquiry through the HiKorea portal.

Steps:

Go to HiKorea
Log in and go to “E-Application” → “Civil Petition”
Choose “1:1 Inquiry” to send a message to the immigration office

🕓 Replies usually take 2–4 business days.

Does Immigration Send Text Messages?

✅ Yes, Korean immigration does send official SMS messages to your registered mobile number. These messages include:

– Visa expiry reminders
– Appointment confirmations
– Application result notifications
– Extension deadlines
– Change of status alerts

⚠️ But be careful: Not every text you receive is legit.

✅ Tips to verify:
– Official immigration messages are typically from **“1345”**, “HiKorea,” or official numbers starting with **02-**
– They will NOT ask you to click suspicious links
– They never ask for your ARC number or bank info via text

If you’re unsure, call 1345 to confirm.

FAQs About Contacting Immigration

Can I speak to someone in English at the immigration office?
– Yes, many immigration officers or hotline staff speak English or will connect you to an interpreter.
Can someone else contact immigration on my behalf?
– Yes, if they are a legal representative or using a certified immigration agency.
Can I just walk into immigration without a reservation?
– Usually no. You must make an appointment online first unless it’s an emergency.

Useful Contact Links

Summary