F-6 Marriage Visa Overview
The F-6 visa (결혼이민) is Korea's long-term residency status for spouses of Korean nationals and closely related groups. It grants open work authorization — no separate work permit needed — and can lead directly to F-5 permanent residency after 2 years of continuous residence.
As of 2026, there are three distinct F-6 sub-types, each designed for a different family situation. Choosing the correct sub-type from the start is critical; applications submitted under the wrong category are routinely rejected.
| Sub-type | Who it's for | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| F-6-1 | Foreigner married to a Korean national (marriage intact) | Up to 2 years (renewable) |
| F-6-2 | Foreigner with a child born from a Korean national; currently raising the child | Up to 2 years (renewable) |
| F-6-3 | Divorced/widowed foreigner raising a Korean child, OR whose divorce was not their fault | Up to 1 year (renewable) |
Three F-6 Subtypes Explained
F-6-1: Married to a Korean National
This is the standard marriage visa for a foreigner who is currently married to a Korean citizen and residing — or intending to reside — in Korea. The marriage must be legally registered in both Korea and the applicant's home country.
Key conditions: The couple must demonstrate genuine marital intent (real cohabitation, communication history, evidence of shared life). Officers may conduct in-person interviews to verify authenticity, particularly for nationals from countries with historically high marriage fraud rates.
F-6-2: Raising a Child of a Korean National
F-6-2 is available to a foreigner who is not (or no longer) married to a Korean national but is the parent of a child born to a Korean citizen — and is the primary caregiver raising that child in Korea. Marriage is not required; the qualifying link is the Korean-nationality child.
The applicant must provide a family relationship certificate confirming the Korean parent, and evidence of child custody or day-to-day caregiving. Annual renewal reviews whether caregiving continues.
F-6-3: Divorced or Widowed — Not at Fault
F-6-3 covers two scenarios:
- Divorce not at fault: The foreigner spouse was divorced due to the Korean spouse's misconduct (domestic violence, abandonment, infidelity proven by court or police records). The foreign spouse is not required to have children.
- Widowed with minor children: The Korean spouse died and the foreigner is raising their minor children in Korea.
F-6-3 is typically issued for 1 year at a time, and extension requires ongoing proof of the qualifying condition (e.g., continued child custody, ongoing court proceedings).
Eligibility & Conditions
Financial Requirement (2026)
From 2025, immigration authorities require that the Korean sponsor (spouse or co-habitant) can financially support the foreign spouse. The income threshold is set at 120% of the minimum cost of living (최저생계비). For a household of two, this is approximately KRW 2.3–2.5 million per month in 2026. If the Korean spouse's income is below this, the couple must provide additional evidence of assets.
Basic Korean Language Ability
Since 2025, applicants who have a Korean sponsor earning below the "guidance income" threshold (하한소득기준) may be required to demonstrate basic Korean conversational ability at the embassy or immigration office, through a brief interview. Passing TOPIK Level 1 or attending a Korean language course can satisfy this requirement.
No Problematic Immigration History
Applicants with a history of overstay, deportation, or prior visa fraud may be denied F-6 regardless of marital status. A clean immigration record strengthens the application significantly.
Required Documents
For F-6-1 (Married to Korean National)
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport (6+ months validity) | All pages with entry stamps |
| Korean spouse's family register (가족관계증명서) | Issued within 3 months |
| Marriage certificate (혼인관계증명서) | Both Korea and home country |
| Foreign spouse's birth certificate | Apostille + official Korean translation |
| Foreign marriage certificate | Apostille + official Korean translation |
| Proof of financial ability | Salary certificate, bank statements (6 months) |
| Proof of cohabitation or contact | Chat logs, photos, flight records, shared lease |
| Application form + photos | Standard immigration form |
| Processing fee | KRW 130,000 (in Korea); fee varies by embassy |
For F-6-2 (Raising Korean Child)
- Passport, application form, photos
- Child's family register (가족관계증명서) showing Korean nationality
- Proof of custody or primary caregiving (주민등록등본, school enrollment, medical records)
- Korean parent's family register (to establish paternity/maternity)
- If unmarried: DNA test result or court custody order
For F-6-3 (Divorce Not at Fault / Widowed)
- Divorce certificate or spouse's death certificate
- Police/court documentation proving fault of Korean spouse (for divorce route)
- Child's family register and proof of custody
- Income/asset evidence (F-6-3 applicants often have no Korean sponsor)
- Any protective order, counseling records, or domestic violence reports
Divorce, Death & F-6-3 in Detail
What Happens to F-6 Status After Divorce?
When a marriage with a Korean national ends in divorce, the legal basis for F-6-1 disappears. The foreigner is expected to either:
- Apply for a change to another status (e.g., work visa, D-10 job search) within the validity period, or
- Depart Korea before status expiry, or
- Apply for F-6-3 if they meet the qualifying conditions.
Overstaying after divorce without changing status constitutes illegal residence and results in fines, departure orders, and potentially a multi-year entry ban.
Qualifying Grounds for F-6-3 (Divorce Not at Fault)
Immigration authorities recognize the following grounds for F-6-3 eligibility:
| Ground | Evidence Required |
|---|---|
| Domestic violence by Korean spouse | Police report (사건사고사실확인원), hospital records, shelter records |
| Abandonment by Korean spouse | Proof of separate residence for 6+ months, text/call logs showing no contact |
| Infidelity by Korean spouse | Court judgment or notarized statement from the Korean spouse |
| Court-adjudicated divorce (판결 이혼) | Court judgment stating the Korean spouse as the responsible party |
| Korean spouse's death | Death certificate + proof of child custody |
Can F-6-3 Holders Reach F-5?
Yes. F-6-3 holders who continue to raise their Korean children in Korea can apply for F-5 permanent residency once they accumulate sufficient stay duration (typically 5 years of lawful continuous residence). The shorter 2-year F-5 route is reserved for F-6-1 holders who are still married to a Korean national.
Path to F-5 Permanent Residency
F-6 is a major pathway to F-5 (영주) permanent residency in Korea. Two routes apply:
| Route | F-6 Sub-type | Minimum Duration | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-5-2 (Marriage route) | F-6-1 (married) | 2 continuous years on F-6 | Marriage still intact, basic Korean, income, no criminal record |
| F-5-1 (General 5-year) | Any F-6 | 5 continuous years in Korea | TOPIK 3+, GNI-level income, social integration score 80+ |
For F-5-2, the 2-year clock starts from when you first received F-6-1 status — not from your first entry to Korea. Short trips abroad do not break the continuity requirement as long as you re-enter within the allowed period and maintain the F-6-1 status throughout.
Social Integration Requirement
F-5 applicants must pass a Social Integration Program (사회통합프로그램, KIIP) interview or show equivalent language/cultural knowledge. For F-5-2 applicants, basic Korean communication ability plus a clear understanding of Korean society are tested in a short interview, not a written exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between F-6-1, F-6-2, and F-6-3?
F-6-1 is for foreigners currently married to a Korean national. F-6-2 is for foreigners who have a child with a Korean national and are raising the child in Korea. F-6-3 is for foreigners whose Korean spouse died or who are divorced for reasons not their fault, and who have children to care for in Korea.
How long does F-6 visa processing take?
Overseas applications at a Korean embassy take 1–4 weeks. In-Korea status change takes 2–4 weeks. Processing times vary by office; Seoul Immigration Office typically takes 2–3 weeks.
Can I work on an F-6 visa?
Yes. The F-6 visa grants full open work authorization with no job category restrictions. You can work for any employer in any industry without a separate work permit.
What happens to my F-6 if I divorce my Korean spouse?
Your F-6-1 status ends when the marriage is legally terminated. However, if the divorce was not your fault and you have minor children to raise, you may qualify for F-6-3. Otherwise you must change to another visa type or depart Korea.
How many years until I can apply for F-5 permanent residency from F-6?
You need 2 continuous years of F-6-1 status (while still married) for the F-5-2 route. Alternatively, any F-6 holder can apply after 5 total years of lawful residence.
Do I need to pass a Korean language test for F-6?
TOPIK is not required for the initial F-6 visa. However, from 2025, applicants whose Korean sponsor earns below a certain income threshold may be required to show basic Korean language ability during the application process.
