Implementation of Short-Term Foreign Guest Registration System in Yeongnam Region: Mandatory Registration for Short-Term Stay Foreign Visitors

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Announcement of Mandatory Foreign Visitor Accommodation Reporting System During APEC

Starting from October 24 to November 1, 2025, a temporary foreign visitor accommodation reporting system will be implemented across lodging facilities in Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, and the Gyeongsang provinces. This measure is part of enhanced national security protocols during the APEC summit, as the terrorism alert level has been raised to “caution.” The system aims to provide real-time accommodation data of foreign visitors to authorities, facilitating quick tracking and management during emergencies like terrorism or infectious disease outbreaks. Below is a comprehensive overview of the legal basis, reportable subjects, reporting obligations, and procedures.

1. Legal Basis and Purpose of the System

The legal framework for the foreign visitor accommodation reporting system is outlined in Article 81-3 of the Immigration Control Act, which mandates the information provision concerning foreigners, effective from December 10, 2020, along with its enforcement rules in Articles 69-2 and 69-3. These provisions allow the Minister of Justice to request the accommodation information of foreigners when alerts related to infectious diseases or terrorism exceed caution levels. This isn’t merely for gathering tourism data; it’s a “conditional administrative order” invoked only when deemed necessary for national security and public health.

2. Who Needs to Report and Duration of Application

This reporting system will be active from 12:00 AM on October 24 until 11:59 PM on November 1, 2025, and applies specifically to the APEC host city and nearby major towns. It targets foreigners who enter South Korea under short-term stay classifications (B-1, B-2, C-1, C-3, C-4). This means that guests here for tourism, transit, short-term work, or temporary visits fall under this requirement. Foreigners eligible for long-term stays (F, E, D visas) are exempt from this reporting obligation.

3. Who is Responsible for Reporting

The responsibility to report lies with business operators who meet the following criteria:

  • Those registered as accommodation providers under the Public Health Management Act.
  • Operators registered under the Tourism Promotion Act as hotels, city lodging services, or traditional hanok experiences.

This includes all types of tourist accommodations such as hotels and guesthouses. However, unregistered accommodations like home-sharing services generally do not fall under this legal obligation.

4. Reporting Timing and Methodology

The timing for reporting is divided based on whether the accommodation commenced before or after the alert was issued:

  • Foreigners already checked in before an alert: Must be reported within 12 hours of the alert.
  • Foreigners checked in after the alert: Must be reported within 12 hours of check-in.

Reports can be submitted via the official system authorized by the Ministry of Justice through the Kstay website or a specialized mobile app. Required information includes accommodation name, address, guest nationality, birthdate, passport number, and duration of stay. This information is securely transmitted to the Ministry’s server in compliance with public data security standards. Users will receive a confirmation receipt upon completion.

5. Cooperation Duties of Foreign Visitors

According to Article 81-3(2) of the Immigration Control Act, foreign guests must provide identification (such as a passport) upon request by the accommodation provider. Refusal to provide this could result in restrictions on their stay. Additionally, accommodation providers may face administrative actions (warnings or fines) for failing to comply with reporting obligations. The Ministry of Justice emphasizes that this measure is strictly for public safety purposes and is not connected to violations of foreign rights. Collected data will be destroyed immediately once the alert is lifted.

6. Administrative Implications and Future Outlook

The implementation of this foreign visitor accommodation reporting system is seen as part of South Korea’s ongoing enhancements to public safety frameworks during international events (like APEC and G20). Similar data collection measures were in place during prior events, such as the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and the 2023 Busan World Expo preparations. The Ministries of Public Administration and Justice are reportedly considering the possibility of a permanent system for managing foreign accommodation data. This could evolve into a regularized framework for responding to future health crises or terror threats.

In conclusion, it is imperative for accommodation providers to rigorously comply with the reporting requirements, and foreign guests must cooperate fully. Non-compliance may not only lead to administrative penalties but could also impact future business licensing renewals. This information is current as of the time of writing and is subject to change based on government policy. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For additional inquiries, you can reach out via the 1:1 Consultation Board.