Introduced digital resident card for foreign nationals in South Korea

South Korea recently announced the introduction of digital resident cards for foreign residents, which are available from January 10, 2025. This innovation aims to simplify the lives of foreign residents and improve their integration into Korean society. The digital cards have the same legal validity as physical cards and will be able to be used at government offices, hospitals and convenience stores.

Under the new regulations, foreign nationals over the age of 14 living in South Korea will be able to apply for digital cards. The process of obtaining a digital card will depend on the date of issuance of the physical card. Holders of physical resident cards issued before the beginning of 2025 will need to visit an immigration office to obtain a digital ID. At the same time, those who received a physical card after January 1, 2025, will simply need to attach their card to their smartphone. The card will have a special chip embedded in it that will instantly download the digital version through a mobile app. Digital resident cards will be available on both iPhone and Android devices.

The digital resident card will be usable at government offices, hospitals and convenience stores, making life much easier for foreign nationals in the country. This innovation aims to improve the quality of life and simplify administrative procedures for foreign residents, which will certainly be an important step towards integration and comfortable living in South Korea.

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