Republic of Korea: Procedures for obtaining a passport

According to the Second Secretary and Consul of the Embassy of Korea in Ottawa, Canada, the procedure for obtaining a passport from within Korea and from outside Korea is the same (23 Nov. 2006). The Second Secretary indicated that the information contained on the Web site maintained by the Embassy of Korea in the United States outlines the current process for applying for a passport. Information from the Web site is as follows:

1. Passport Application

A) Documents Required:

1) An Application for Passport

* All the applicants should know their exact resident number of Korea and their exact address of permanent residence in Korea. Otherwise, they are required to submit their Family Census Register.

2) Two (2) Identical Color Photos:

- The photos on white background should be less than 6 months old. (Size: 3.5 x 4.5 cm). The size of the face should be approximately 2.5 x 3.5 cm and should display the front of the individual's face. Hats, head-gear, and sunglasses are not allowed.

3) Both the original and a photocopy of the passport (the pages with personal information)

4) Fees and other required documents (specific to each category)

* Male applicants who are between the ages of 18 and 35: please refer the following item B.

* Fees should be paid in cash or money order, payable to the Korean Consulate General (personal cheques are not accepted).

5) Processing time may take from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on each personal background check.

Category Fees Documents Required

U.S. permanent resident: US$30 – A copy of your permanent resident card (Both front and back sides)

Long-term visa holders: (Visa Type: L, E, H1B, J, F, etc.): US$50 – A copy of a valid visa and I-94 (Type-F and J visa holders should submit an additional copy of I-20 and DS-2019)

Short-term visa holders: (Visa Type: B1,B2)US$50- A copy of a valid visa and I-94

In the case of an undocumented individual:US$50 – Additional consulate's form

(The form should explain the reason for current illegal status and the pledge to obtain legal status.)

Lost passport (Permanent Resident): US$30-US$10 / (Others) – US $50-US $10

- Required documents based on each status as listed above

- A photo ID verifying Korean nationality or Family Census Register

- The applicant must appear in person at the consular office.

* Fees: Wire charge of US$10 will be added.

B) The following individuals must submit additional documents:

1) Male applicants who are between the ages of 18 and 35:

- Proof of the extension from military services (a copy of the page of the passport on which the embarkation records is stamped or the certificate of completion)

- Applicants who have already completed their military services do not need to submit this document.

- Applicants who have not yet completed military services must apply for a circumstantial extension when submitting the Application for Passport.

- For detailed information regarding military services, please contact the military service section at 202-939-5654.

2) For those who apply for a passport after reaching the age of 14 and the separation of accompanied children from a parent's passport: a copy of the Family Census Register.

3) For the Addition or Deletion of Married Name: A Certificate of Marriage or Divorce or a copy of the Family Census Register in which the fact of marriage or divorce is registered.

C) Application by mail:

1) Please make sure that you enclose all documents listed above and a stamped envelope with a return address.

2) The application process will be placed on hold if a stamped envelope with a return address is missing from the application package.

3) For the secure arrival of your passport, express mailing services, such as the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, Federal Express, UPS, DHL, or Air Borne, are recommended.

2. Extension of Validity

Request for extension of validity can be submitted 1 year before or after the expiration date of the current passport. However, only a one time extension is allowed due to the laws that state that the validity of a passport cannot exceed 10 years from the issue date.

A) Documents Required :

1) An Application for Passport

- All the applicants should know their exact resident number of Korea and their exact address of permanent residence in Korea . Otherwise, they are required to submit their Family Census Register.

2) One (1) Color Photo:

- The photos on white background should be less than 6 months old. (Size: 3.5 x 4.5 cm). The size of the face should be approximately 2.5 x 3.5 cm and should display the front of the individual's face. Hats, head-gear, and sunglasses are not allowed.

3) Both the original and a photocopy of the passport (the pages with personal information)

4) Fees and other required documents (specific to each category)

- Male applicants who are between the ages of 18 and 35: please refer to the following item B.

- Fees should be paid in cash or money order, payable to the Korean Consulate General (personal checks are not accepted)

5) Processing time may take from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on each personal background check.

Category Fees Documents Required

U.S. permanent resident: US$7.00 / A copy of your permanent resident card (Both front and back sides.)

Long-term visa holders (Visa Type: L, E, H1B, J, F, etc.): US$7.00 /A copy of a valid visa and I-94 (Type-F and J visa holders should submit an additional copy of I-20 and DS-2019)

Short-term visa holders (Visa Type : B1, B2): US$7 /A copy of your visa and I-94.

In the case of an undocumented individual:US$7 /Additional consulate's form (The form should explain the reason for current illegal status and the pledge to obtain legal status.)

B)

1) Male applicants who are between the ages of 18 and 35:

- Proof of the extension from military services (A copy of the page of the passport on which the embarkation records is stamped or the certificate of completion.)

- Applicants who have already completed their military services do not need to submit this document.

- Applicants who have not yet completed military services have to apply for a circumstantial extension when submitting the Application for Passport.

- For detailed information regarding military services, please contact the military service section at 202-939-5654.

2) For those who apply for a passport after reaching the age of 14 and the separation of accompanied children from a parent's passport: a copy of the Family Census Register.

3) For the Addition or Deletion of a Married Name: A Certificate of Marriage or Divorce or a copy of the Family Census Register in which the fact of marriage or divorce is registered.

C) Application by mail:

1) Please make sure that you enclose all documents listed above and a stamped envelope with a return address.

2) The application process will be placed on hold if a stamped envelope with a return address is missing from the application package.

3) For the secure arrival of your passport, express mailing services, such as the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, Federal Express, UPS, DHL, or Air Borne, are recommended.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Korea. 23 November 2006. Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Ottawa. Correspondence with the Second Secretary and Consul.
_____. N.d. "Consultate Service: Passports." [Accessed 21 Nov. 2006]