Do you need a re-entry permit to leave and return to South Korea in 2026?

Registered foreigners with an unexpired Residence Card and no departure ban commonly re-enter within one year without filing first. HiKorea guidance and airport immigration notices describe this exemption for many E, D, and F categories. F-5 permanent residence holders frequently receive a two-year re-entry window on approval documents, but read your card sticker and decision letter because individual conditions can shorten it.

You still need a valid passport, a status whose period of stay has not ended, and compliance with any employer or school reporting rules. If your stay ends while you are overseas, extend stay is generally not something you can complete from abroad; you may need a new visa at an embassy. Update register address before long trips if you moved, because mismatched address data can flag secondary inspection on return.

If you expect to remain outside Korea beyond the automatic window, apply for a multiple re-entry permit through HiKorea or in person before departure. Single and multiple permits exist; long assignments or family care abroad usually need multiple. Fee examples on HiKorea fee tables often show roughly KRW 30,000 for a single permit and near KRW 50,000 for multiple entries, tied to Gazette schedules that can change. Verify live amounts and validity length on the application screen the week you travel.

Processing times vary from same-day at a quiet branch to several weekdays during peak seasons. Carry the approval printout and your Residence Card when you return. If you filed change of status or extension before leaving, confirm whether the decision finished; pending cases can complicate re-entry.