Eligibility quiz
Are you legally married?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in South Korea
You can live in South Korea for the period you are allowed to stay.
A grant may last up to three years, depending on your circumstances and immigration review.
Study in South Korea
You can study in South Korea.
Work in South Korea
You can work for any employer, change jobs or run a business without a work restriction tied to your status.
Use public healthcare
You join public health insurance on entry or, if later, when you register as a foreign resident, without a six-month wait.
You receive the same insurance benefits as South Korean citizens, though you pay insurance charges and part of the cost of care.
Get financial support
A registered foreign spouse may qualify for help if pregnant, raising a minor South Korean citizen child, or living with a South Korean spouse’s parent or grandparent.
This can include help after divorce or the spouse’s death, and depends on household income and tests of who is responsible for support.
Help can cover living costs, housing, education, medical care and services to become self-supporting.
How to apply
From outside South KoreaFrom outside South Korea
Find your consulate
Find the South Korean embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South Korean consulate handles F-6-1 marriage migrant visa applications for someone living in your city?”
Complete the marriage program
If required for your application, your South Korean spouse must complete the International Marriage Guidance Program before inviting you.
Find the marriage programSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does my spouse complete the South Korea International Marriage Guidance Program for an F-6-1 marriage migrant visa?”
Download the application form
Download the South Korean visa application form.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete the form in Korean or English and sign it.
Get form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the South Korea F-6-1 marriage migrant visa application form?”
Complete the e-form
If your consulate requires a Visa Portal e-form, complete it online, print it and sign it by hand. You must still submit the printed form and your documents to the consulate.
Find the e-formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete the South Korea F-6-1 marriage migrant visa e-form for a consulate?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
If your consulate requires an appointment, book one using its booking process.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an F-6-1 marriage migrant visa appointment at the South Korean consulate serving your city?”
Submit your application
Hand in your signed form, passport, photograph and documents at the consulate, and pay the fee using a method it accepts. Ask the consulate how it takes applications; it may also allow you to apply by mail.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an F-6-1 marriage migrant visa application to the South Korean consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Check your result on the Korea Visa Portal by choosing “Diplomatic Office,” and respond if the consulate asks for more information.
Check your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check my South Korea F-6-1 marriage migrant visa application status on the Korea Visa Portal?”
Enter South Korea
If your visa is approved, enter South Korea while it is valid. You can then complete your registration to stay.
See entry guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter South Korea with an approved F-6-1 marriage migrant visa?”
Once in South KoreaOnce in South Korea
Register your stay
Apply for foreigner registration within 90 days of entering South Korea. This completes the registration needed for your stay.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for foreigner registration in South Korea after entering on an F-6-1 marriage migrant visa?”
Arrange your stay extension
Arrange the required extension of your stay period within 90 days of entry. This lets you continue your stay for the approved period.
Find extension instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange an extension of stay in South Korea after entering on an F-6-1 marriage migrant visa?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificates
Get your South Korean spouse’s detailed Marriage Relation Certificate and the original marriage certificate issued outside South Korea. Check with your office how recently the South Korean certificate must have been issued.
Relationship evidence
Prepare your relationship history and evidence such as photographs, family photographs, messages or travel records, normally on no more than five A4 pages. If you met through a marriage broker, include its registration certificate, insurance certificate and contract unless an exemption or explanation applies; if an acquaintance introduced you, include a copy of their ID.
Spouse's citizenship records
Get your South Korean spouse’s detailed Basic Certificate and a copy of the identification page of their passport. Check with your office how recently the certificate must have been issued.
Spouse's residence record
Get your South Korean spouse’s resident-registration transcript. Check with your office how recently it must have been issued.
Spouse's family certificate
Get your South Korean spouse’s detailed Family Relation Certificate. Check with your office how recently it must have been issued.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Registration and renewal
If staying over 90 days, register as a foreign resident within 90 days.
Report a change of address within 15 days, separately from your South Korean spouse’s report.
Extend your stay before it expires, normally within the four months before expiry; the extension fee is KRW 30,000.
Status can be lost
Your status can end if it expires without an extension or you no longer qualify; a marriage ending does not always mean you no longer qualify.
Fraud, serious immigration or criminal violations and other grounds can also lead to cancellation or removal.
Your registration can be cancelled if you become a citizen, die, become exempt from registration or miss your allowed return deadline.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
2nd Infantry Divisions
Facebook group for people interested in South Korean visas and citizenship (English & Korean)
Join on FacebookVisa korea (f2-r, e7-4r, e7-4, e9, d2, d10, f2-99)
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean visas
Join on FacebookExpats in Korea
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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