How fast do I need to get the ARC after landing?

You have 90 days from arrival to register, but do not use all of them.

The ARC is what unlocks everything else — bank account, phone contract in your name, health insurance, and the part-time work permit later. Until it arrives you are working around gaps.

Realistic timeline:
- Book the immigration appointment as soon as you land. Slots in Seoul disappear the moment they open, and the next available date is often 3–6 weeks out. That waiting time is why you should not delay.
- Bring passport, application form, photo, the fee, proof of address, and your certificate of enrolment. Missing one document means rebooking, and rebooking means another few weeks.
- The card itself takes about 2–4 weeks after the appointment.

So from landing to card in hand is commonly 6–10 weeks. Plan the first two months assuming you do not have it.

One thing people get wrong: you cannot book the appointment before you arrive, because the system needs your entry record. Book it on day one instead.