1. Overview
After a divorce, the Stay Manual provides different routes depending on the situation: F-6-3 (the Korean spouse died or disappeared, or the marriage ended by divorce for reasons not attributable to the foreigner), F-6-2 (a parent raising, in Korea, a minor child born of a marriage with a Korean national), or F-1-6 (housekeeping settlement for people who do not qualify for F-6-3 but must stay for property division or similar matters). This page explains these options.
2. Eligibility Requirements
- Holding F-6-1 and living in a normal marriage with a Korean national in Korea until the marriage ended
- The marriage ended by the Korean spouse’s death, a declared disappearance (family-court declaration required), or a divorce for reasons not attributable to you (e.g., the Korean spouse’s running away or violence)
- If you were at fault but support the Korean spouse’s parents or family, the facts and support documents are checked under a special rule
- If you already hold F-6-1 when applying, the application is an extension of stay (not a change of status)
- Restricted groups for a change of status include short-term stayers, persons with criminal convictions (simple fines excepted) and persons granted an extension only to depart
3. Required Documents
Documents differ by situation (death, disappearance, divorce, F-6-2, F-1-6), and other documents may be requested during examination; please confirm with the competent Immigration Office.
4. Procedure
- Confirm which status applies (F-6-3, F-6-2 or F-1-6)
- Prepare the documents for that status
- Apply at the competent Immigration Office (extension if you hold F-6-1; change of status otherwise)
- Examination by the Immigration Office
- Permit for a period within the range set by the manual
- Later extensions as F-6-3 with the application form, passport, alien registration card, fee, child’s family relation certificate (if any), foreigner occupation report and proof of residence
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does the process take?
A. Processing time varies depending on the competent Immigration Office.
Q. What are the benefits of using an administrative agent?
A. We provide case-by-case review, document preparation, and immigration accompaniment in 4 languages.
Q. How can I get a consultation?
A. You can start a consultation right away with the QR codes at the top of the site (KakaoTalk, WeChat, LINE, WhatsApp). Consultation hours are weekdays 09:30–17:30 (KST).
Q. What if my application is denied?
A. Depending on the denial reason, additional documents, appeals, re-applications, or judicial review are possible options. Strategy varies by case — we recommend consultation first.
Q. I am separated or my divorce case is still pending. Can I extend my F-6-1 stay?
A. The Stay Manual lists three situations covered by an F-6-1 extension: separation from the spouse, a pending divorce lawsuit (including preparing one, or an appeal to complete a missed appeal period), and a spouse who is missing but has not yet been declared missing by a family court. Separation means keeping the formal marriage while not living together for a long period; weekend couples do not count. Besides the application form, passport, ARC and fee, the manual lists the Korean spouse’s detailed marriage relation certificate, resident registration abstract, a foreigner occupation report, proof of residence, and evidence of the situation, such as a certificate of filing the divorce suit.
Q. Which documents show that the marriage ended for reasons not attributable to me?
A. For a first extension after divorce (F-6-3), the Stay Manual lists the detailed marriage relation certificate stating the divorce, divorce-related court papers (judgment, conciliation record, recommended settlement decision, or consensual-divorce statement), and objective evidence of the Korean spouse’s main fault. Examples given are a runaway report, a hospital certificate after assault, a prosecutor’s non-indictment decision, a confirmation from a recognised women’s organisation, or confirmations from relatives within the fourth degree or the neighbourhood head. The manual also has a special rule for a divorce where the foreigner was at fault but supports the Korean spouse’s parents or family; the facts and support documents are checked. Whether the criteria are met is decided in examination.
Q. I do not qualify for F-6-3 but must stay for property division. Is there an option?
A. The Stay Manual has a separate housekeeping-settlement status (F-1-6) for people whose marriage ended but who do not fall under F-6-3 and whose stay in Korea is unavoidable because of property division or similar matters. The manual says review looks at whether the marriage was normal before it ended and at the unavoidability of staying. Listed documents include the detailed marriage relation certificate stating the divorce, explanatory material on why staying is unavoidable (a statement of reasons, proof relating to property division), a letter of identity guarantee, and proof of residence. Please confirm eligibility with the competent Immigration Office.
Q. After the divorce I am raising our child in Korea. Which application applies?
A. The Stay Manual provides a change of status to F-6-2 for a parent raising, in Korea, a minor child born of a marriage with a Korean national, but it applies to people holding a status other than F-6. If you still hold F-6-1, this change does not apply as written, so ask the competent Immigration Office whether your case is handled as an extension. Documents listed for F-6-2 include the child’s basic certificate and family relation certificate (if the child is a Korean national), proof of the parent-child relationship, proof of child-rearing, and proof of the reason the marriage ended. Separate rules apply to a parent with visitation rights.