Immigration Fine Standards — Korea's Fine & Penalty Schedule

16 breach types · 101 bands

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.

Source

Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act [Table 7] · 범칙금의 양정기준(제86조제1항 관련)
Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act [Table 8] · 범칙금의 양정기준(제86조제1항 관련)
Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act [Table 2] · 과태료의 부과기준(제102조 관련)
Enforcement Decree of the Overseas Koreans Act [Table] · 과태료의 부과기준(제18조 관련)

Verified as of 2026-09-22

The amount actually imposed may be increased or reduced according to the circumstances, the number of repeat violations and the number of workers employed. The figures below are the standard amounts fixed by statute.

A fine and an administrative penalty are not the same thing

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 · Immigration Act art. 94(7)
Working without a work-eligible status (worker) · Immigration Act art. 94(8)
Engaging in activities outside your status without permission · Immigration Act art. 94(12)
Staying without having been granted a status of stay · Immigration Act art. 94(15)
Changing to another status without permission · Immigration Act art. 94(16)
Overstaying without an extension permit · Immigration Act art. 94(17)
Employing a foreign national without work eligibility (employer) · Immigration Act art. 94(9)
Changing or adding a workplace without permission · Immigration Act art. 95(6)
Failing to complete alien registration · Immigration Act art. 95(7)
Failing to report a change of residence · Immigration Act art. 98(2)
Entering without a valid passport or visa · Immigration Act art. 94(2)
Employer's duty to report (breach) · Immigration Act art. 100(1)(1)
Failing to report a change or addition of workplace · Immigration Act art. 100(1)(3)
Failing to report a change to registered particulars · Immigration Act art. 100(2)(1)
Breach of the duty to apply or report on another's behalf (under 17) · Immigration Act art. 100(2)(2)
Overseas Korean: failing to report a change of domestic residence · Overseas Koreans Act art. 17(1)

Fine (Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Tables 7 and 8)

FineImmigration Act art. 94(7)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 17(1)
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Staying beyond your status or permitted period — Immigration Act art. 94(7)
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

FineImmigration Act art. 94(8)

Working without a work-eligible status (worker)

Imposed on the foreign national who worked without holding a status of stay that permits employment.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 18(1)
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Working without a work-eligible status (worker) — Immigration Act art. 94(8)
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

FineImmigration Act art. 94(12)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 20
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Engaging in activities outside your status without permission — Immigration Act art. 94(12)
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

FineImmigration Act art. 94(15)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 23
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Staying without having been granted a status of stay — Immigration Act art. 94(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

FineImmigration Act art. 94(16)

Changing to another status without permission

Engaging in activities under a different status of stay without first obtaining a change-of-status permit.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 24
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Changing to another status without permission — Immigration Act art. 94(16)
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

FineImmigration Act art. 94(17)

Overstaying without an extension permit

Continuing to stay past the expiry of your permitted period without having obtained an extension of stay.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 25
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Overstaying without an extension permit — Immigration Act art. 94(17)
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

FineImmigration Act art. 94(9)

Employing a foreign national without work eligibility (employer)

Imposed on the employer who hired a person without a work-eligible status. The amount rises with the number of workers employed, and the joint-penalty provision can extend it to the company or the individual.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 18(3)
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 8 (amended 2020-09-25)

Employing a foreign national without work eligibility (employer) — Immigration Act art. 94(9)
Length of breach	Standard amount
Under 3 months	KRW 3,000,000 – KRW 30,000,000
3 – 6 months	KRW 5,000,000 – KRW 30,000,000
6 months – 1 year	KRW 7,000,000 – KRW 30,000,000
1 – 2 years	KRW 9,000,000 – KRW 30,000,000
2 years or more	KRW 11,000,000 – KRW 30,000,000

The lower figure applies to one worker employed; the upper figure to 50 or more.

FineImmigration Act art. 95(6)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 21(1)
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Changing or adding a workplace without permission — Immigration Act art. 95(6)
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

FineImmigration Act art. 95(7)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 31
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Failing to complete alien registration — Immigration Act art. 95(7)
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

FineImmigration Act art. 98(2)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 36(1)
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Failing to report a change of residence — Immigration Act art. 98(2)
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

FineImmigration Act art. 94(2)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 7
Statutory table:: Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act, Table 7 (amended 2026-01-23)

Entering without a valid passport or visa — Immigration Act art. 94(2)
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)

Admin. penaltyImmigration Act art. 100(1)(1)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 19
Statutory table:: Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 (amended 2020-12-08)

Employer's duty to report (breach) — Immigration Act art. 100(1)(1)
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

Admin. penaltyImmigration Act art. 100(1)(3)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 21(1)
Statutory table:: Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 (amended 2020-12-08)

Failing to report a change or addition of workplace — Immigration Act art. 100(1)(3)
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

Admin. penaltyImmigration Act art. 100(2)(1)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 35
Statutory table:: Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 (amended 2020-12-08)

Failing to report a change to registered particulars — Immigration Act art. 100(2)(1)
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

Admin. penaltyImmigration Act art. 100(2)(2)

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.

Duty breached:: Immigration Act art. 79
Statutory table:: Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Table 2 (amended 2020-12-08)

Breach of the duty to apply or report on another's behalf (under 17) — Immigration Act art. 100(2)(2)
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

Admin. penaltyOverseas Koreans Act art. 17(1)

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.

Duty breached:: Overseas Koreans Act art. 6(2)
Statutory table:: Enforcement Decree of the Overseas Koreans Act, Table (amended 2018-05-08)

Overseas Korean: failing to report a change of domestic residence — Overseas Koreans Act art. 17(1)
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

Have you received a fine notice?

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. VISION will first confirm how much time you have left and what can still be done.

Request a consultation

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.