Immigration Fine Standards — Korea's Fine & Penalty Schedule
A breach of Korea's Immigration Act attracts either a fine (범칙금) or an administrative penalty (과태료), set by the type of breach and how long it lasted — or how many times it happened. This page reproduces every amount fixed in the statutory schedules, on one page.
A fine (범칙금) is money imposed instead of prosecution for a breach that is criminally punishable; an administrative penalty (과태료) is an order-keeping penalty for failing a reporting or registration duty. Paying either does not by itself remove a departure order, deportation or any other decision about your stay.
All breach types at a glance
- Staying beyond your status or permitted period
- Working without a work-eligible status (worker)
- Engaging in activities outside your status without permission
- Staying without having been granted a status of stay
- Changing to another status without permission
- Overstaying without an extension permit
- Employing a foreign national without work eligibility (employer)
- Changing or adding a workplace without permission
- Failing to complete alien registration
- Failing to report a change of residence
- Entering without a valid passport or visa
- Employer's duty to report (breach)
- Failing to report a change or addition of workplace
- Failing to report a change to registered particulars
- Breach of the duty to apply or report on another's behalf (under 17)
- Overseas Korean: failing to report a change of domestic residence
As of October 2026 · Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7, etc.
Fine (Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Tables 7 and 8)
Staying beyond your status or permitted period
Remaining in Korea outside the scope of the status of stay granted to you, or beyond the period permitted — the most common form of overstay.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 94(7)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 17(1)
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 1 month | KRW 2,000,000 |
| 1 – 3 months | KRW 3,000,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 4,000,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 7,000,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 10,000,000 |
| 2 – 3 years | KRW 15,000,000 |
| 3 – 5 years | KRW 20,000,000 |
| 5 – 7 years | KRW 25,000,000 |
| 7 years or more | KRW 30,000,000 |
Engaging in activities outside your status without permission
Carrying out activities that belong to another status of stay, in addition to your current one, without obtaining prior permission.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 94(12)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 20
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 1 month | KRW 2,000,000 |
| 1 – 3 months | KRW 3,000,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 4,000,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 7,000,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 10,000,000 |
| 2 – 3 years | KRW 15,000,000 |
| 3 – 5 years | KRW 20,000,000 |
| 5 – 7 years | KRW 25,000,000 |
| 7 years or more | KRW 30,000,000 |
Staying without having been granted a status of stay
Where a foreign national who came to reside in Korea — for example by birth — continued to stay without applying for a status of stay.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 94(15)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 23
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 1 month | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 – 3 months | KRW 1,000,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 2,000,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 5,000,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 10,000,000 |
| 2 – 3 years | KRW 15,000,000 |
| 3 – 5 years | KRW 20,000,000 |
| 5 – 7 years | KRW 25,000,000 |
| 7 years or more | KRW 30,000,000 |
Changing to another status without permission
Engaging in activities under a different status of stay without first obtaining a change-of-status permit.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 94(16)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 24
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 1 month | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 – 3 months | KRW 1,000,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 2,000,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 5,000,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 10,000,000 |
| 2 – 3 years | KRW 15,000,000 |
| 3 – 5 years | KRW 20,000,000 |
| 5 – 7 years | KRW 25,000,000 |
| 7 years or more | KRW 30,000,000 |
Overstaying without an extension permit
Continuing to stay past the expiry of your permitted period without having obtained an extension of stay.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 94(17)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 25
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 1 month | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 – 3 months | KRW 1,000,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 2,000,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 5,000,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 10,000,000 |
| 2 – 3 years | KRW 15,000,000 |
| 3 – 5 years | KRW 20,000,000 |
| 5 – 7 years | KRW 25,000,000 |
| 7 years or more | KRW 30,000,000 |
Changing or adding a workplace without permission
Where your status requires prior permission to change or add a workplace, and you moved or took on an additional workplace without it.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 95(6)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 21(1)
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | KRW 1,000,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 2,000,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 3,000,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 5,000,000 |
| 2 years or more | KRW 10,000,000 |
Failing to complete alien registration
Where a foreign national intending to stay more than 90 days did not register within 90 days of entry or of the event giving rise to the duty.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 95(7)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 31
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 1 month | KRW 200,000 |
| 1 – 3 months | KRW 500,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 1,000,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 2,000,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 5,000,000 |
| 2 years or more | KRW 10,000,000 |
Failing to report a change of residence
Where a registered foreign national did not report the move within 15 days of taking up the new place of residence.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 98(2)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 36(1)
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | KRW 100,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 300,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 700,000 |
| 2 years or more | KRW 1,000,000 |
Entering without a valid passport or visa
Entering Korea without the passport and visa required by law (art. 7(1) and 7(4)); the amount rises with the number of violations.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 94(2)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 7
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23; current version in force from 2026-09-15)
| Number of violations | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| 1st violation | KRW 5,000,000 |
| 2nd violation | KRW 15,000,000 |
| 3rd violation or more | KRW 30,000,000 |
Administrative penalty (Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 · Enforcement Decree of the Overseas Koreans Act, Table)
Employer's duty to report (breach)
Where an employer of a foreign national failed to report a dismissal, resignation, death, unknown whereabouts, or a material change to the employment contract within 15 days of learning of it.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 100(1)(1)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 19
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 (amended 2020-12-08; current version in force from 2026-10-02)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | KRW 100,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 300,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 1,000,000 |
| 2 years or more | KRW 2,000,000 |
Failing to report a change or addition of workplace
Where a holder of a status that may change or add a workplace by notification alone — such as professionals in knowledge, technology or skills — did not report within 15 days.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 100(1)(3)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 21(1)
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 (amended 2020-12-08; current version in force from 2026-10-02)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | KRW 100,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 300,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 1,000,000 |
| 2 years or more | KRW 2,000,000 |
Failing to report a change to registered particulars
Where changes to name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport number, issue date or validity, or affiliated organisation were not reported within 15 days.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 100(2)(1)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 35
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 (amended 2020-12-08; current version in force from 2026-10-02)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | KRW 100,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 300,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 year or more | KRW 1,000,000 |
Breach of the duty to apply or report on another's behalf (under 17)
Where the legal representative of a foreign national under 17 failed to file, within the statutory period, applications or reports such as out-of-status activity, change of status, extension of stay, alien registration, change of particulars or change of residence.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Immigration Act art. 100(2)(2)
- Duty breached:
- Immigration Act art. 79
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 (amended 2020-12-08; current version in force from 2026-10-02)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 1 year | KRW 100,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 300,000 |
| 2 – 3 years | KRW 500,000 |
| 3 years or more | KRW 1,000,000 |
Overseas Korean: failing to report a change of domestic residence
Where an overseas Korean who filed a domestic residence report — for example on an F-4 status — did not report the move within 14 days of relocating.
Legal basis
- Penalty provision:
- Overseas Koreans Act art. 17(1)
- Duty breached:
- Overseas Koreans Act art. 6(2)
- Statutory table:
- Enforcement Decree of the Overseas Koreans Act, Table (amended 2018-05-08; current version in force from 2026-03-24)
| Length of breach | Standard amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | KRW 100,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | KRW 300,000 |
| 6 months – 1 year | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 – 2 years | KRW 1,000,000 |
| 2 years or more | KRW 2,000,000 |
Paying a fine or penalty runs separately from the immigration offense review. Missing the deadline on the notice can add surcharges and lead to compulsory collection or a departure ban. Sunshine will first confirm how much time you have left and what can still be done.
Request a consultationRelated pages
- Immigration fines by offense type
- Offense types explained
- Disposition types (departure order, deportation)
This page sets out the general standards laid down in legislation and is not legal advice on any individual case. The actual decision depends on the reviewing officer's judgement and the circumstances of the case.