Mobile Residence Card (Digital ARC) Setup Guide

The official Mobile Residence Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card or ARC) is now fully available in South Korea. It provides legally equivalent identification to your physical plastic card at government offices, banks, hospitals, and convenience stores.

Key Terminology

Step 1: Check Your Physical Card Type

The issuance method depends on when your physical card was issued by the Korea Immigration Service:

• Issued After January 1, 2025: Your card contains an IC chip. You can issue your Mobile Residence Card instantly via NFC scan on your smartphone without visiting an immigration office.
• Issued Before January 1, 2025: Your card does not have an IC chip. You must visit a local immigration office in person to scan an official QR code for free digital issuance.

Step 2: Issuance Steps

• Download the official Mobile IDentification (모바일 신분증) app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Complete identity verification using your Korean mobile phone number.
• For IC cards: Tap your physical residence card against the back of your smartphone (NFC enabled).
• For non-IC cards: Scan the QR code at your local immigration office customer window.
• Set a 6-digit PIN or biometrics (FaceID/Fingerprint) for instant verification.

Legal Validity & Usage

According to the Ministry of Justice, the Mobile Residence Card holds 100% equal legal standing under the Immigration Act. You can present your dynamic QR code for banking transactions, SIM card activation, domestic flights, and hospital registration.