Public Agencies

Up, Myeon and Dong Offices

These office have signs that say, "○○ dong Office” or “○○ Resident (or
Community) Center.” These are public agencies that handle administrative
affairs of the administrative units. The residents report here when they move
in or move out of the community and the offices inform the residents of the
important municipal policy initiatives. They also offer a variety of education
programs to provide quality education for residents at low cost in order to meet
their demands for cultural/leisure activities.

What does a Dong Office do?

It receives move-in and move-out reports, issues family register transcripts
and abridged transcripts, and runs education programs at the community
center(ex: Korean language, English language, arts, yoga and fitness classes)
※ This is where you submit your application for a citizen ID after your
application for Korean citizenship is approved.



The Immigration Office

The Justice Ministry’s Immigration Office handles visa extensions, immigration
status changes, approvals for non-permitted activities, location of work changes,
immigration status approvals, extensions of stay, re-entry permits, foreign
resident registrations and refugee status approvals as well as detection and
extradition of illegal immigrants whose legal stays have expired.
Internet : http://www.immigration.go.kr

▶ Immigrant Status and Foreign Resident Registration
Depending on the length of of stay, there are short-term stay (90 days or
less), long-term stay (91 days or longer), and permanent stay. For long-term
permanent stays, you are required to finish foreign resident registration or report
your abode in Korea.

▶ Extradition of an Unregistered Foreigner
During the voluntary departure period, you are exempted from the fine. Go to
the airport immigration office to get your departure order slip before you start
your departure procedures. Bring your passport, air ticket and foreign resident
registration to the office on the 3rd floor of the Incheon International Airport. If it
is not during the voluntary departure period, you will be required to pay the fine
for overstaying. You must go to the nearest immigration office a few days before
your departure to begin your departure procedure. Contact the immigration
office before your scheduled departure as there can be non-scheduled
exemption periods.

▶ Reentry Visa
If you are registered for a long-term stay in Korea and reentering Korea during
the approved stay period, you need to apply for a reentry permit. If you have
entered Korea under the Employment Permit Program, you can visit your
country after obtaining a reentry visa before your departure if your visa has not
expired. Before you start your departure procedures at the Incheon International
Airport, bring your passport, foreign resident registration and the employer
agreement (letter of recommendation) to the Incheon Airport immigration office
on the 3rd floor to get a reentry visa. If you have time, it is recommended that
you visit the nearest immigration office to apply for a reentry visa before your
departure (application fee : 30,000 won)

▶ Issuance of Immigration Documents
For various immigration documents/certificates, go to the public service desk
of the nearest immigration office or branch office. You can apply for one at
the nearest city, provincial, gu, gun, up, myeon or dong office and receive the
document by fax. Or you can apply for one using the public service mail at the
nearest post office. You can also apply for a copy of your entry and departure
records, foreign resident registration certificate and/or abode registration
certificate. In order to use this service, you need an electronic certificate
installed on your computer to have your identity confirmed and pay the fee.
Short-term visitors cannot use these services.

▶ Immigration Office Contact Information


Post Office

Handles both local and international mail. They offer financial services –
deposits, transfers and insurance services and run the post office shopping mall
to sell regional specialties over the Internet.
International EMS (express mail service) is available for expedited international
mail delivery.

▶ EMS (Express Mail Service)
Delivers letters, documents and parcels to over 130 countries all over the world
in a fast and secure manner. The weight limit is 30 Kg. You can send letters,
documents, LCs (letter of credit), books, exchange checks issued by financial
institutions and commercial samples. Some countries (Australia, the Philippines,
Argentina and Bangladeshi) applies a lower weight limit of 20 Kg or less.
Depending on the country, there can be prohibited items. Check before you
send.
Internet : ww.epost.go.kr

Prohibited Items

Coins, bank notes, remittance bills, marketable securities, gold products,
dangerous items or items that can pollute and/or damage other mail, drugs,
explosive/flammable items (paint, ink, etc.), obscene or morally hazardous
items, jewelry, items prohibited by the destination country, easily perishable
items and living animals and / or plants.


Bank

▶ Opening a Bank Account
1. Go to the bank - bring your passport.
2. Get a numbered ticket and wait for your turn.
3. When it is your turn, go to teller, get a new bank account form and fill it out.
4. Write down your name, foreigner registration number, address and contact
number(s).
5. According to the teller’s instructions, enter a 4-digit password.
6. Apply for an ATM card (check card) if you need one.
7. Keep you passport to yourself and do not tell it to anyone.

▶ Making a Deposit
Fill out the deposit form or the withdrawal form and bring it to the teller. You
don't need your password to make a deposit but need both your password and
signature (or seal) to withdraw funds.

Using Bank Services When You Don’t Have a Visa :
You cannot use bank services if you don’t have a visa. Neverthelss, it is not
safe for you to keep your cash with you and you can open an account under
somebody else’s name.
Think carefully whether the person is really trustworthy. Go to the bank
together to open an account but you enter your password. Make sure you
keep your seal and bankbook.

▶ Using the ATM
An ATM is a machine to/from which you can deposit/withdraw cash or check
using your bankbook or ATM card. The exact procedure varies bank by bank
but it is easy enough that anyone can use it after one or two tries. In most cases
the onscreen instructions are in Korean. Some ATMs have English or Chinese
instructions but no other languages are available. When you use an ATM, make
sure you remember your password. If you enter a wrong password three times
in a row, you can no longer use the bankbook and the card. In this case, go to
a teller with your ID and show that the bankbook and the card belong to you.
Then you can change your password and start using the ATM again. When you
withdraw money from an ATM, you pay a fee. The amount varies bank by bank
but mostly between 500 and 2,000 won.

▶ Paying Utility Bills
Utility bills refer to your electric bill, water bill, TV reception bill, gas bill and
mobile phone bill. If your employer pays the bills, you don't need to concern
yourself with these. But if it doesn't, you should check the amounts shown on
your various ut’lity bills delivered to you by mail every month and pay them at
the nearest financial institution, such as a bank or a post office.

• Paying in Person
You can bring your bills to a financial insitituion and pay in person. Today
many banks do not accept such payments at the tellers counter. In this case,
you can use the automatic payment terminal. You need the bank’s bankbook
to use the terminal.
• Auto Transfer Payment
You can apply for an auto transfer payment so that the billed amounts are
withdrawn from your bank account on the designated date every month.
You can apply at the bank or call the billing institution and apply by phone.
After you make the arrangement, make sure you remember the payment
date to ensure there is enough money left in the account. If you fail to make
the payment due to insufficient balance twice in a row, the service will be
suspended. Make sure you cancel the auto transfer arrangement one month
before you return to your country or move to another place.

ATM Card : Allows you to deposit and withdraw cash without your
bankbook and seal.
Check Card : Allows you to deposit and withdraw cash; when you make a
purchase using a check card, the amount is debited from your
bank account immediately after the payment. You cannot
borrow money from the bank using a check card.
Bank Hours : 09:30 AM – 4:40PM, Monday - Friday


▶ Remittance
The safest way to send money is through a bank. Almost all banks offer
overseas fund remittance service. The service fee varies bank by bank.

• How to Send Money
First, open a bank account in your home country under your family member’s
name. Bring the recipient’s name, address, phone number, bank name,
account number and your ID to the foreign currency counter of your bank. The
teller will handle the rest. Keep the remittance receipt for your record. You can
save time if you bring it with you next time you go to the bank to send money.
Some people use the telegraphic transfer (money order) service but that is
not a good idea. There are only three countries – Thailand, Indonesia and the
Philippines that receive money orders from Korea and it takes very long for the
fund to arrive. Having your family member open a bank account at your home
country and sending money to that account is the best way to send money
home.
• Using Private Remittance Service
Many people use private remittance services (brokers) when they send
money home instead of official financial institutions, such as banks or the post
office. Private remittance services are faster, cheaper and more convenient.
However, there is always the risk of losing money. The service provider often
disappear with your money. Caution is required.