Alien registration card delays leave foreign youth in South Korea struggling to find work and manage daily life

Foreign youth in South Korea are experiencing significant frustration due to lengthy delays in obtaining alien registration cards, essential documents that are crucial for basic daily activities and employment. Sujal, a 26-year-old Nepali national who arrived in South Korea seeking work in March, found himself unable to even begin his job search for six weeks. Despite entering the country legally on a working holiday visa after a rigorous application process, he faced delays in receiving his residence card. This alien registration card serves as proof of legal status for foreigners staying in South Korea for over 90 days. It is indispensable for everyday tasks such as opening bank accounts and activating mobile phone plans. To obtain the card, individuals must first book an appointment through the "Hi Korea" government portal, operated by the Ministry of Justice, and then visit the relevant immigration office to apply and collect the physical card. Upon trying to book an appointment immediately after his arrival, Sujal discovered that all available slots were already filled for the next six weeks. During this period, he had to resist the temptation of illegal job offers advertised on websites promising employment without the required registration card, subsisting instead on money brought from his home country.