Marriage Migrant (Spouse of a Korean National)

Who can apply

Foreign nationals who: (F-6-1) are legally married to a Korean citizen and intend to live together in Korea; (F-6-2) are raising a minor child born from a marriage or de facto relationship with a Korean national (used when a legal marriage does not exist or the couple is not living together but the foreigner is caring for the Korean child); (F-6-3) were married to a Korean national but the marriage ended by the Korean spouse’s death or disappearance, or by divorce/separation where the Korean spouse was primarily at fault, provided the foreigner is not responsible for the breakdown. International students who marry a Korean can change from D-2/D-10 to F-6 inside Korea (체류자격 변경).

Documents you'll need

• Passport and alien registration card (if in Korea)
• visa/status-change application form with photo
• marriage certificate / Korean family relation certificate (기본증명서, 혼인관계증명서, 가족관계증명서) proving the marriage is registered in Korea
• the Korean sponsor’s income proof meeting the annual income requirement (근로소득 원천징수영수증, 소득금액증명 etc.)
• proof of assets if income falls short (5% of qualifying assets counted as income)
• proof the couple has a place to live (주택 임대차계약서 or ownership)
• proof of a genuine relationship (photos, communication records, statement of how they met)
• the foreign spouse’s Korean-ability proof (TOPIK Level 1+, KIIP Level 2+, or an approved 120-hour Korean course) unless exempt
• certificate of completion of the International Marriage Guidance Program (국제결혼 안내프로그램) for the Korean sponsor where required
• health/medical certificate
• criminal record / police clearance certificate (for overseas applicants)
• guarantee/invitation letter (신원보증서). Exact list varies by embassy and by subtype.

How to apply

• Two routes: (overseas) the Korean sponsor files a visa issuance confirmation (사증발급인정서) or the foreign spouse applies at a Korean embassy/consulate; (domestic) change-of-status to F-6 at an immigration office (e.g., from D-2/D-10).
• The marriage must be legally registered in Korea and pass a genuineness review.
• Two routes:

1. overseas the Korean sponsor first applies for a visa issuance confirmation (사증발급인정서) or the foreign spouse applies at a Korean embassy/consulate;
2. inside Korea a student or other legal resident changes status to F-6 at an immigration office.
   • Immigration reviews the genuineness of the marriage, the sponsor’s income, housing, and the couple’s ability to communicate.
   • The marriage must be legally registered in Korea before F-6 is granted.

Working on this visa

Free to work. F-6 holders may take up employment or run a business without a separate work permit.

F-6-1: spouse of a Korean national (legally married and cohabiting in Korea). F-6-2: foreigner raising a minor child born of a marriage or de facto relationship with a Korean national (used where no valid legal marriage exists or the couple is not cohabiting).

F-6-3: foreigner whose marriage to a Korean national ended by the Korean spouse’s death/disappearance or by divorce/separation for which the Korean spouse was mainly at fault, the foreigner not being responsible.

2025–2026 policy updates

• Income requirement (annual pre-tax income of the Korean sponsor, based on an MOJ notice (법무부고시) under Immigration Control Act Enforcement Rules Article 9-5 (출입국관리법 시행규칙 제9조의5)). 2025 standard (MOJ Notice No. 2024-587 (법무부고시 제2024-587호), effective 2025-01-02): 2-person household 23,595,948 KRW; 3-person 30,152,118; 4-person 36,586,638; 5-person 42,649,152; 6-person 48,388,830; 7-person 53,930,568; +5,541,738 per additional person for 8+. 2026 standard (effective 2026-01-02): 2-person household 25,195,752 KRW; 3-person 32,154,216; 4-person 38,968,428; 5-person 45,340,314; 6-person 51,335,712; 7-person 57,090,900; +5,775,188 per additional person for 8+.
• Household size counts the Korean sponsor, the foreign spouse, and co-residing direct-line family on the resident registration (parents, grandparents, minor children from a prior marriage; siblings excluded).
• If income is short, the sponsor’s assets count at 5% of value (assets held 6+ months and worth 1,000,000 KRW+), and the foreign spouse’s/co-residing family’s Korean income can be combined.
• Income requirement exemptions include: the couple has a child together (born or 20+ weeks pregnant); the couple lived together abroad 1+ year with no Korean income in the past year; the foreign spouse previously resided in Korea on F-6.
• Korean-ability requirement and the International Marriage Guidance Program requirement (7 countries: China, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Thailand) remained in force through 2025-2026.

Common mistakes

• Assuming F-6 is automatic on marriage: the marriage must be registered in Korea and the couple must pass a genuineness review.
• Overlooking the Korean sponsor’s income requirement (the visa is refused if the sponsor cannot show the required annual income or qualifying assets).
• Skipping the Korean-language requirement or the International Marriage Guidance Program when it applies.
• Believing F-6 is lost immediately on divorce: a spouse divorced through no fault of their own may qualify for F-6-3 rather than losing status.
• Confusing F-6 with F-5 or citizenship: F-6 is renewable residence, not permanent residence or nationality.

Where this leads

Official source ↗  Official manual ↗