Contents
1. What is the F-6 Marriage Visa?
The F-6 visa (결혼이민 체류자격) is Korea's spousal immigration visa, issued to foreign nationals who are married to — or have children with — a Korean citizen. It is one of the most common long-term visas in Korea, especially for spouses of Korean nationals living abroad who wish to settle in Korea.
F-6 holders enjoy significant benefits: they can work freely in any industry, live in Korea long-term, and eventually obtain permanent residency after meeting residence and integration requirements.
- Work: Freely permitted in all industries, no work permit needed
- Stay period: 1–2 years per grant, renewable
- Language support: Interview may be required to verify genuine marriage
- PR path: F-5-3 (Korean national's spouse) after 2 years
2. F-6 Sub-types: F-6-1, F-6-2, F-6-3
| Sub-type | Who It's For | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|
| F-6-1 | Spouse of a Korean national | Legally married; marriage must be registered in Korea (혼인신고) |
| F-6-2 | Parent with custody of a Korean citizen's child (after divorce) | Must have custody of the Korean child; ongoing custody required |
| F-6-3 | Abandoned/divorced spouse (through no fault of their own) | Korean spouse caused the marriage breakdown (domestic violence, desertion, etc.); must prove fault |
3. Eligibility & Sponsor Requirements
Foreign Spouse Eligibility
- Must be legally married to a Korean citizen (registered in Korea)
- No criminal disqualifications
- Must pass a Korean language proficiency interview (KIIP Level 1 equivalent, or Basic Korean ability interview at the embassy)
- Must have met the Korean spouse in person (anti-sham marriage requirement)
Korean Sponsor Requirements
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Income | Annual income ≥ 60% of median household income (기준 중위소득 60%). Approx. KRW 2.5–3M/month in 2026 depending on household size |
| Housing | Must have a place to live in Korea (rental or owned) |
| Criminal record | No history of domestic violence, sex crimes, or serious criminal offenses |
| Prior sponsorship | Sponsors who previously sponsored a foreign spouse who left Korea may face restrictions |
Korea's immigration authorities conduct marriage authenticity interviews — especially for couples from certain countries (China, Vietnam, Philippines, etc.). Both spouses may be interviewed separately to verify the marriage is genuine. Prepare to explain how you met, your relationship history, and your future plans.
4. Required Documents
Documents from the Foreign Spouse
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid foreign passport | At least 6 months validity |
| Visa application form | Completed and signed |
| Passport-size photo | White background, recent |
| Marriage certificate | Official document from foreign government; apostille + certified Korean translation |
| Criminal background check | From country of citizenship; apostille + translation |
| Health certificate | Required for certain nationalities; TB test may be required |
| Korean language proof | TOPIK score, KIIP certificate, or pass the embassy Korean interview |
Documents from the Korean Sponsor
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Korean family register (가족관계증명서) | Shows marriage registration in Korea |
| Income proof | Employment certificate + last 3 months pay slips, or tax return (소득 증명원) |
| Housing proof | Lease contract or property ownership certificate |
| Sponsor identification | Korean national ID or passport copy |
| Criminal background check | For sponsors with prior domestic violence or crime history |
5. Application Process
Applying from Abroad (at Korean Embassy)
- Register the marriage in Korea — Submit marriage documents at the local ward office (구청) or Korean embassy abroad to complete 혼인신고 (Korean marriage registration).
- Gather all documents — Both sponsor and applicant documents. Get apostilles on foreign documents and certified Korean translations.
- Submit application at the Korean embassy/consulate — In your home country. Bring originals and copies of all documents.
- Attend interview if required — Some embassies require a Korean language ability interview and/or marriage authenticity interview.
- Wait for approval — Typically 2–8 weeks. Complex cases take longer.
- Receive visa and enter Korea — Enter within the visa validity period.
- Register alien registration card (ARC) — Within 90 days of arrival at the local immigration office.
Applying Inside Korea (Status Change)
If already in Korea on another visa, submit the F-6 application at the local immigration office or through Hi Korea (www.hikorea.go.kr). Bring all sponsor and applicant documents. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.
6. Extension & Path to F-5 Permanent Residency
| Stage | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initial grant | 1 year | F-6-1 |
| First extension | 1–2 years | F-6-1 (renewed) |
| Transition to long-term | After 2 years married + residing in Korea | Can apply for F-2 |
| Permanent residency | F-5-3 after meeting requirements | F-5 (permanent) |
Requirements for F-5-3 (Korean national's spouse PR):
- 2 years of actual cohabitation with Korean spouse in Korea
- Basic Korean language ability (TOPIK Level 1 or equivalent)
- No criminal record
- Sufficient income or assets to be self-supporting
7. What Happens After Divorce?
Divorce has serious immigration implications. Your options depend on the circumstances:
| Situation | Visa Status | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Korean spouse's fault (domestic violence, desertion, infidelity) | Eligible for F-6-3 | Report to immigration with evidence; apply for F-6-3 to maintain legal stay |
| Custody of Korean citizen child | Eligible for F-6-2 | Apply for F-6-2 with custody documents |
| Mutual divorce or foreign spouse's fault | F-6-1 expires | Must depart or change to another eligible status |
| Already have F-2 or F-5 | Status maintained | F-2/F-5 is not automatically cancelled by divorce |
If your marriage situation changes (separation, divorce proceedings, domestic violence), you must report to the immigration office. Staying in Korea on an F-6 without a valid marriage without notification is a violation. Seek legal help immediately in difficult situations.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
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