1. Overview
The F-6-1 status (spouse of a national) is for foreigners whose marriage to a Korean national is validly established and who wish to stay in Korea to continue married life. Screening covers the Korean spouse's income, communication ability, housing, and proof of courtship and of the genuineness of the marriage.
2. Eligibility Requirements
- Valid marriage to a Korean national and intent to stay in Korea to continue married life
- Income: the Korean spouse's pre-tax annual income over the past year must meet the 2026 standard, e.g. KRW 25,195,752 for a 2-person household, KRW 32,154,216 for 3 persons and KRW 38,968,428 for 4 persons. Exempt if the couple has a child, has lived together abroad for 1 year or more with no domestic income in the past year, or the foreign spouse previously stayed in F-6 status
- Communication: documents showing the couple can communicate; exempt if the couple has a child or the foreign spouse previously stayed in F-6 status. A language test score or passing an embassy interview in that language may also be accepted
- Housing: the residence must be owned or leased in the name of the Korean spouse or the spouse's immediate family or siblings, and its address must match the resident registration
- Completion of the international marriage guidance program, unless exempt
3. Required Documents
Documents may be added or omitted during reception and review, and the lists differ by case (e.g. couples with a child).
4. Procedure
- Consultation and review of the income, communication and housing requirements
- Preparation of documents (invitation letter, marriage certificates, income and housing documents, proof of courtship)
- Application for the visa at a Korean mission abroad, or for a change of status in Korea where permitted
- Review by the authority (timing varies by case; confirm with the competent office)
- Alien registration after entry (within 90 days)
Income Requirement, Health Certificate and Fees
2026 income standard: the inviting Korean spouse's pre-tax annual income over the past year must be at or above the amount for the household size in the table below. Couples who are exempt from the income requirement, for instance because they have a child born to them, do not submit income documents.
For households of 8 or more, the standard rises by KRW 5,755,188 for each additional member.
The Visa Manual's document list for countries outside the international marriage guidance program still carries a table headed "2025 standard", so confirm the applicable table with the embassy that will receive your application.
Korean spouse's health certificate: unless the couple is exempt from the international marriage guidance program, the original health certificate of the Korean spouse is also submitted. It must be issued by a hospital-level medical institution, a public health center, or a health-screening institution designated under Article 3 of the Civil Servant Recruitment Medical Examination Regulation, on the civil-service recruitment health examination form, within 6 months of the visa application date. It is waived if the couple is exempt from the program.
Fees: the Immigration Office examination fees are KRW 40,000 for granting F-6 status, KRW 30,000 for an extension of stay for F-6, and KRW 100,000 for a general change of status. The visa application fee at an embassy differs by country; the manual gives only examples such as USD 30 or 2,000 pesos, so ask the embassy for the current amount.