F-6 Marriage Immigrant Visa

The F-6 visa is issued to foreign nationals who are legally married to a Korean citizen. It is one of the most straightforward pathways to long-term residency in Korea and eventually to permanent residency.

Who Qualifies?

• Foreign nationals who are legally married to a Korean citizen

• The marriage must be legally recognized in both Korea and your home country

• Both spouses must be of legal marriage age in their respective countries

• The Korean spouse must meet a minimum income requirement — around 14,000,000 KRW per year (2024)

• The Korean spouse must not have a serious criminal record

Documents Required

• Valid passport

• Visa application form

• Marriage certificate — apostilled and officially translated into Korean

• Korean spouse's family register (가족관계증명서)

• Korean spouse's ID card copy

• Proof of Korean spouse's income — tax certificate or employment certificate

• Proof of relationship — photos together, chat records, visit history

• Korean language proficiency — TOPIK Level 1 or completion of Korean language course (120 hours)

• Passport-sized photos

• Application fee — around 60,000 KRW

Application Process

• Step 1: Register your marriage in Korea at your local community center (주민센터)

• Step 2: Also register the marriage in your home country if required

• Step 3: Apply for F-6 visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country

• Step 4: Attend a visa interview at the embassy — immigration officers verify the authenticity of the relationship

• Step 5: Arrive in Korea and apply for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days

• Step 6: Register your address at your local community center

Renewal

• F-6 visa is initially valid for 1 year

• Can be renewed for 2 years after the first renewal if the marriage is ongoing

• Required documents for renewal: passport, ARC, proof of ongoing marriage (family register showing spouse), proof of cohabitation

• If the marriage ends in divorce, your F-6 status may be affected — consult immigration immediately

• If divorced due to domestic violence or spouse's fault, you may still qualify for continued residency

Path to Permanent Residency

• After 2 years of living in Korea on F-6 status, you can apply for F-5 permanent residency

• Requirements: proof of 2 years cohabitation, basic Korean language ability, no criminal record, financial stability

• This is one of the fastest pathways to F-5 available — only 2 years vs 5 years for most other visa types

Work Rights

• F-6 visa holders have full work rights — you can work in any field without employer sponsorship

• No need to apply for a separate work permit

• Can start your own business

• Can change jobs freely without notifying immigration

Support for F-6 Visa Holders

The Korean government provides extensive support for foreign spouses:

• Multicultural Family Support Centers (다문화가족지원센터) — Located in every district. Offer free Korean language classes, cultural adjustment programs, legal counseling, and childcare support.

• Danuri Helpline: 1577-1366 — 24-hour support in 13 languages for multicultural families

• Danuri website: www.liveinkorea.kr — Resources for foreign spouses in multiple languages

Tips

• Register your marriage in Korea as soon as possible — the process can take time

• Keep all evidence of your genuine relationship — photos, travel records, communication history — immigration interviews can be thorough

• Visit your nearest Multicultural Family Support Center after arriving — services are free and extremely helpful

• Learn Korean as quickly as possible — it makes daily life significantly easier and is required for F-5 application

• If your Korean spouse passes away, you may still qualify for continued residency if you have children or have lived in Korea for 2+ years

Useful Resources

• Danuri Helpline: 1577-1366 (24 hours, 13 languages)

• Danuri website: www.liveinkorea.kr

• Korea Immigration Service: www.immigration.go.kr

• HiKorea: www.hikorea.go.kr

• Immigration helpline: 1345 (English available)