Eligibility quiz
Have you ever been married to a South Korean citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
South Korean passport
South Korean citizens can get a South Korean passport for travel abroad.
Live in South Korea for life
South Korean citizens can enter, leave and live in South Korea without a visa or residence renewal.
There is no minimum time they must spend in the country.
Study in South Korea
South Korean citizens have an equal right to education and do not need a student immigration status to study.
Work in South Korea
South Korean citizens have the right to work without a foreigner's work permission.
Some jobs and professions have their own requirements.
Use registration services
South Korean citizens can use civil and family registration services, and those living abroad can register as overseas nationals to help with administration and protection.
Get help abroad
South Korean citizens can get consular help abroad, including in emergencies, disasters, criminal proceedings and missing-person cases.
Local and international law, and what a person can resolve themselves, limit the help available.
Vote and run for office
South Korean citizens have the right to vote and hold public office under election rules.
Citizens abroad can also vote from abroad if they register and meet the election conditions.
Use public healthcare
South Korean citizens can join National Health Insurance as domestic participants rather than under the rules for foreign residents.
Enrollment can be through work or where they live, and contributions are payable.
Use social support
South Korean citizens have a right to social support under the law.
Social insurance includes pensions, employment and work-accident insurance, but payments depend on the scheme and factors such as work, residence and income.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the immigration office with a nationality department that serves your address in South Korea. You must apply at the office responsible for where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South Korea immigration office handles simplified naturalization for the spouse of a Korean citizen for your city?”
Download the application form
Get the Application for Permission for Naturalization, also called Form 2.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign your Application for Permission for Naturalization.
Get form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the South Korea Application for Permission for Naturalization as the spouse of a Korean citizen?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book a visit to your immigration office through Hi Korea before you go.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Bring your completed form, photograph and required documents to your immigration office and hand them in yourself. Pay the fee there as the office directs.
Find submission guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit and pay for a South Korea simplified naturalization application for the spouse of a Korean citizen at an immigration office?”
Attend your interview
When you are notified, attend the nationality interview or evaluation. Bring your passport and foreigner-registration card or relevant residence card.
Find interview guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a South Korea simplified naturalization interview for the spouse of a Korean citizen?”
Follow your application
Log in to Hi Korea and choose Information inquiry, then Nationality review progress. Enter your receipt number, passport number and date of birth to follow your application.
Find your progressSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check my South Korea simplified naturalization application progress on Hi Korea?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision on your application. Answer the office’s questions and send any extra documents it requests.
See what happensSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does South Korea simplified naturalization for the spouse of a Korean citizen take?”
Attend your citizenship ceremony
If you are approved, attend the ceremony when directed, take the national oath and receive your nationality certificate. The certificate confirms your South Korean nationality.
Find ceremony guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend the South Korea nationality oath and certificate ceremony after simplified naturalization?”
Complete any registration
Follow your approval notice to complete any nationality or family-registration steps it requires. This completes any required records so you can use your South Korean citizenship.
Find registration guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete family registration after South Korea simplified naturalization for the spouse of a Korean citizen?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth certificate *
Get your child's birth certificate or an equivalent record showing that your child was born to you and your Korean spouse.
* Only if you apply because you are raising or must raise your minor child.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage records *
Provide a record proving your marriage to your Korean spouse. This can be used instead of your spouse's family relationship certificate.
* Only if you apply based on your continuing marriage, and your marriage abroad is not recorded in your Korean spouse's family register.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationSpouse's residence record *
Get a copy of your Korean spouse's resident-registration record and attach it to your application.
* Only if you do not consent to the office checking your Korean spouse's resident registration electronically.
Spouse's family records *
Get your Korean spouse's family relationship certificate. If you apply because of a marriage breakdown or to raise your child, provide their removed family register as well if the office asks for it.
* Only if your marriage is recorded in your Korean spouse's family register, or you apply because of a marriage breakdown or to raise your child.
Marriage breakdown evidence *
Provide evidence that your Korean spouse died or disappeared, or that another reason beyond your control prevented normal married life. For example, provide a death certificate if your spouse died.
* Only if you apply because you could not continue normal married life.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military service for men
Male South Korean citizens may have to serve in the military; age, health, time abroad and dual citizenship can affect exemptions or delays.
Those liable who are 25 or older, or doing alternative service, need permission to travel abroad.
Those who left before 25 generally need permission by 15 January of the year they turn 25.
Citizenship can be lost
Voluntarily acquiring another citizenship generally ends South Korean citizenship, with exceptions.
Dual citizens who were not South Korean at birth can lose it after a hearing if keeping it is clearly against national interests or seriously disrupts social order.
Citizenship can also be given up through a legal process, and loss must be reported.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
2nd Infantry Divisions
Facebook group for people interested in South Korean citizenship and visas (English & Korean)
Join on FacebookEvery Expat in Korea
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean local life
Join on FacebookForeigners in Seoul
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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