The Step-by-Step Process and Experience of Mr. Park, Who Had to Visit Three Different Immigration Offices
When overseas Koreans enter Korea to apply for nationality restoration,
they must go through multiple administrative steps.
In particular, if you wish to handle everything at once
—from nationality loss declaration → F-4 visa issuance → Alien Registration Card (ARC) → nationality restoration application
—the procedures can be quite complex. Depending on the case, you may even need to visit multiple immigration offices.
Today, we would like to introduce the case of Mr. Park, a U.S. citizen,
who successfully completed the entire process within a short six-week stay in Korea.
[Client Information]
✔Name: Mr. Park
✔Nationality: United States
✔Date of Birth: July 1, 1956
✔Residence in Korea: Nowon-gu, Seoul
✔Jurisdiction: Seoul Immigration Office Sejongno Branch (residence), Seoul Immigration Office (nationality)
✔Requested Services: Nationality loss declaration, F-4 visa and ARC application, nationality restoration application (full-service package)
Mr. Park planned to stay at his brother’s home in Nowon-gu, Seoul.
However, because the Sejongno Branch does not handle nationality-related matters,
he had to visit three different immigration offices in total. Adding to the challenge,
he had only six weeks to complete everything—entering Korea on April 8 and scheduled to depart on May 21.
At HanGuk Visa, we carefully coordinated his entire schedule to minimize inconvenience
and ensure everything was processed smoothly within his limited stay.
In Mr. Park’s case, three different institutions were involved:
1️⃣ Seoul Southern Immigration Office – Nationality Loss Declaration (chosen to shorten the schedule)
2️⃣ Sejongno Branch, Seoul Immigration Office – F-4 Visa Application & Fingerprinting
3️⃣ Seoul Immigration Office (Head Office) – Nationality Restoration Application
Finalized Timeline
✔April 8: Entry into Korea
✔April 10: Consultation at HanGuk Visa office (including nationality restoration guidance)
✔April 11: Nationality loss declaration at Seoul Southern Immigration → F-4 visa application at Sejongno Branch
✔April 16: Fingerprint registration at Sejongno Branch (client visit only)
✔May 9: ARC (Alien Registration Card) issued
✔May 14: Nationality restoration application at Seoul Immigration Office
✔May 21: Departure from Korea as scheduled, with all procedures successfully completed
Although Mr. Park was initially concerned about the tight timeline, careful preparation
and efficient coordination allowed him to complete his nationality restoration application without issue before leaving Korea.
⚠ Note: It is possible to leave Korea after submitting the nationality restoration application.
However, please be aware that if you plan to stay abroad for an extended period after 5–6 months, the review process may be placed on hold.
✅ Client Provided:
✔Valid passport (original)
✔U.S. Naturalization Certificate (original)
✅ HanGuk Visa Provided:
✔Appointment confirmations for immigration visits
✔Drafting of nationality loss declaration forms
✔F-4 visa integrated application forms (including ARC)
✔Copies of passport & naturalization certificate
✔Issuance of Korean certificates (Basic Certificate, Family Relations, Removal from Family Register)
✔Proof of residence documents (real estate registry, lease agreement, accommodation confirmation, etc.)
✔Copy of accommodation provider’s ID
✔Employment/occupation forms and restricted job non-employment pledge
✔Korean name application
✔Nationality restoration application, family notification forms, restoration statements
Service Summary
✅ Service Name: Nationality Loss + F-4 Visa + Nationality Restoration Application (Representation & Accompaniment)
✅ Service Fee: KRW 920,000 per person (government fees & ARC issuance fee KRW 340,000 not included)
✅ Processing Time: Approx. 5 weeks (typically 5–6 weeks)
Who Is This Service For?
✅ Overseas Koreans who want to complete nationality loss, F-4 visa, and nationality restoration in one stay
✅ Those with a short stay who require fast and accurate processing
✅ Clients facing complicated scheduling across multiple immigration offices
✅ Anyone who wants one-stop support including documentation, reservations, and in-person accompaniment
As Mr. Park’s case shows, with proper document preparation and careful scheduling,
it is absolutely possible to complete all of these steps quickly and efficiently during a single stay in Korea.
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HanGuk Visa provides tailored visa solutions for overseas Koreans and foreign residents in Korea.
From individual and corporate visa consulting to full representation, translation services,
and stay management, we offer fast, reliable, and convenient support.
For detailed consultation, feel free to contact us. We will provide the best visa solution for your situation.
📞 Tel: 02-3210-1113
✉ KakaoTalk Channel: 한국비자 (Hanguk Visa)
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