Title
Apostille Korea handles international driving permit renewals for Koreans abroad An international driving permit is valid for only one year, and Korean missions abroad have no authority to issue it, so expiry overseas used to mean flying home or appointing a proxy in Korea.
- Связанные страны
- 한국
Content
Apostille Korea says it now offers a document agency service that lets Koreans living abroad reissue or renew an international driving permit without returning to Korea. Applicants send a copy of their passport and a photo, and the company handles the domestic issuing procedure and ships the permit overseas. Applications are accepted around the clock through its website.
- An international driving permit is valid for one year and cannot be issued by Korean missions abroad.
- Until now the only options were to fly home or to have a proxy in Korea handle it with the original licence.
- Proxy issuance requires round-trip international post and confirmation of entry and exit records, taking at least a week.
- Apostille Korea accepts applications with only a passport copy and a photo, then handles issuance and overseas delivery.
Why renewing the permit abroad breaks down
An international driving permit is issued under the international convention on road traffic so that a traveller can drive temporarily while abroad. In Korea it is issued at driver's licence testing centres and police stations on presentation of a passport copy, a passport photo and the original driver's licence. It is valid for one year, and the holder must carry the Korean licence and passport alongside it. The difficulty arises when the permit expires while the holder is overseas. Korean missions abroad have no issuing authority, so consulates advise applicants either to return to Korea and apply at a police station or to use an agency. One Korean resident in Nevada found the permit had expired, could not easily drive to work, and eventually gave up on renewing it.
How the agency service works
Koreans abroad have three options. They can fly home and apply in person, ask an acquaintance in Korea to apply as a proxy, or use an agency. Returning home is criticised as uneconomical because of the airfare and time involved. Proxy issuance means posting the original driver's licence to Korea, having the proxy obtain entry and exit records from the immigration office, visiting a police station or testing centre, and then sending the permit back abroad by EMS or similar, which physically takes at least a week. Apostille Korea carries out these steps on the applicant's behalf, so the original identity document never has to be mailed to Korea. Applications are received through the website at any hour, with only a passport copy and one photo sent by email, text message or messenger.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew an international driving permit at a Korean consulate abroad?
No. Korean missions abroad have no authority to issue the permit. Consulates advise applicants to return to Korea and apply at a police station, or to use an agency.
How long does proxy issuance through an acquaintance take?
The original licence must be posted internationally, the proxy must visit the immigration office and a police station or testing centre, and the permit must then be sent abroad again. It physically takes at least a week.
What do I need to send to use the agency service?
A copy of your passport and one photo, sent by email, text message or messenger. The original driver's licence does not have to be mailed to Korea.
Source: 데일리시큐 · 2017-03-01