Marriage/Spousal Visa (F-6) in Korea: What You Need to Know

1. ·[Immigration Act Art. 25-2] If a foreign spouse of a Korean national is undergoing court proceedings, police investigation, or other legal remedy procedures due to domestic violence (as defined in the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Domestic Violence Crimes Art. 2 §1), the Minister of Justice MAY grant stay extensions until those proceedings conclude.
2. ·[Immigration Act Art. 25-2] The same protection applies if the foreign national is a victim of sexual violence crimes (Sexual Violence Crimes Punishment Act Art. 2 §1) or child abuse crimes (Child Abuse Crimes Punishment Act Art. 2 §4) and related proceedings are ongoing.
3. ·[Nationality Act Art. 6 §2] A foreign national whose spouse is a Korean citizen may apply for simplified naturalization (without meeting the standard 5-year residency requirement) if: (1) married and continuously residing in Korea for 2+ years, or (2) 3+ years have passed since marriage AND they have resided in Korea for at least 1 year while married.
4. ·[Multicultural Families Support Act Art. 6] The state and local governments shall provide marriage immigrants with basic life information (including children's education/guidance), social adaptation education, vocational training, and Korean language education. Visit-based and remote education must be provided to reach those who may be excluded due to their location or home environment.
5. ·[Multicultural Families Support Act Art. 14] The support provisions (Arts. 5–12) also apply to multicultural family members raising children born in a de facto (common-law) marriage with a Korean citizen — not only legally registered marriages.

1. ·You must be legally married to a Korean citizen or Korean permanent resident (for F-6 visa).
2. ·The marriage must be registered both in Korea (가족관계등록부) and in your home country, OR you must be able to prove the genuine nature of the marriage.
3. ·For stay extension due to domestic/sexual violence: legal proceedings (court, police investigation, or other remedy) must be currently ongoing (Immigration Act Art. 25-2).
4. ·For simplified naturalization: marriage to a Korean citizen AND continuous residence in Korea for 2+ years while married, or 3+ years since marriage with 1+ year of Korean residence (Nationality Act Art. 6 §2).
5. ·For support under Multicultural Families Support Act: applies to legally married marriage immigrants AND those in de facto (common-law) marriages raising children with a Korean national (Art. 14).

1. 1STEP 1 — Before entering Korea: Apply for an F-6 marriage immigrant visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country. Prepare documents proving the genuine marriage (see Documents section).
2. 2STEP 2 — After arriving in Korea: Register your alien registration (외국인등록) at your local Immigration Office within the legally required period after entry.
3. 3STEP 3 — Extend your stay: Before your current status expires, apply for an extension at your local Immigration Office or via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr).
4. 4STEP 4 — If you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or child abuse: Immediately report to police or contact a support shelter. Then apply to the Immigration Office for a stay extension under Immigration Act Art. 25-2, providing proof of ongoing proceedings.
5. 5STEP 5 — Access free settlement support: Visit your nearest Multicultural Family Support Center (다문화가족지원센터) for Korean language classes, life information, vocational training, and counseling — free of charge (Multicultural Families Support Act Art. 6).
6. 6STEP 6 — Planning naturalization: After meeting the residence requirements under Nationality Act Art. 6 §2, apply for simplified naturalization at the Ministry of Justice (법무부).
7. 7OPTIONAL — If your Korean spouse acquires a foreign nationality: Be aware that under Nationality Act Art. 15, a Korean national who voluntarily acquires foreign nationality loses Korean nationality. This may affect your spousal visa status — consult the Immigration Office.

Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인청) — HiKorea: www.hikorea.go.kr / Korean embassy or consulate in your home country (for initial visa) / Multicultural Family Support Center (다문화가족지원센터) for settlement support

1. ·Applying for extension AFTER the visa has already expired — always apply before expiry.
2. ·Assuming the visa is automatically cancelled upon marital separation or divorce — this is NOT automatic; you must inform the Immigration Office and your status will be assessed separately.
3. ·Not reporting domestic violence because of fear of losing visa status — the law (Art. 25-2) explicitly protects victims by allowing stay extension during proceedings.
4. ·Failing to register both in Korea and in your home country — both registrations are typically required to prove the legal marriage.
5. ·Thinking de facto (common-law) marriages receive no support — under Art. 14, multicultural family support extends to those raising children from a de facto marriage with a Korean national.
6. ·Overlooking the Multicultural Family Support Center — it offers free Korean language education, counseling, and settlement support that many marriage immigrants are unaware of.