South KoreaCan I view my immigration records?
Yes, you can request access to your immigration records in South Korea under the Personal Information Protection Act and the Immigration Act, subject to certain exceptions.
What the Law Says
South Korean law grants foreign nationals the right to access their personal immigration records held by the Ministry of Justice, with specific conditions and procedures.
Under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), individuals have the right to view, correct, or delete their personal information held by public institutions — including immigration records maintained by the Korea Immigration Service.
The Immigration Act authorizes the Minister of Justice to manage and retain immigration-related data, and specifies that applicants may request disclosure of their own records unless prohibited for national security, investigation, or privacy reasons.
Requests must be made in writing, in Korean, and include identification verification. The immigration authority must respond within 30 days. A fee of up to ₩1,000 per copied document may apply.
Records are generally retained for at least 5 years after departure or status change, unless longer retention is required by law.
Statutory TextA person whose personal information is processed by a public institution may request the head of the institution to view the personal information.
— Personal Information Protection Act, s. 34 — Right to View Personal Information
Statutory TextThe Minister of Justice shall manage immigration-related information and may disclose such information to the concerned foreign national upon request, except where disclosure is likely to impede national security, public safety, or the protection of third-party rights.
— Immigration Act, s. 12 — Management and Disclosure of Immigration Information
What to Do
Prepare a written request in Korean, including your full name, date of birth, passport number, and current or last residence registration number (if applicable).
Attach certified copies of your passport and alien registration card (or entry stamp evidence if unregistered).
Submit the request in person at any Korea Immigration Service office or via registered mail to the local office handling your case.
Wait up to 30 days for a response; you may be asked to pay up to ₩1,000 per document copy.
If denied, you may file an administrative appeal with the Ministry of Justice within 90 days.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.