Korea Marriage Visa (F-6) Explained for Foreign Spouses

Marrying a Korean citizen does not automatically give you the right to live in Korea. You still need a residence visa. The visa that covers foreign spouses is the F-6, and it is granted by Korea’s Ministry of Justice through the Korea Immigration Service. This guide explains who qualifies, what papers you need, the income rule, and how to change or extend your status.

The rules below are based on official portals. Immigration officers still hold discretion over each case, so treat this as a research-based roadmap, not a guarantee. Always confirm current figures on HiKorea before you book an appointment.

F-2 residence visa guide

What is the F-6 marriage visa and who issues it?

The F-6 visa is a long-term residence status for the foreign spouse of a Korean national. It is issued and managed by the Ministry of Justice through the Korea Immigration Service. Unlike short visit visas, the F-6 lets you live, work, and use national services in Korea. It is split into three subtypes based on your family situation.

The three F-6 subtypes matter because the documents differ:

• F-6-1: You are legally married to a Korean citizen and will live together in Korea.
• F-6-2: You are raising a child of a Korean national (marriage may not be registered).
• F-6-3: Your marriage ended by divorce or death, but you are not at fault and have grounds to stay.

“A foreign national who is married to a national of the Republic of Korea may apply for the marriage migrant (F-6) status of stay.” - Ministry of Justice, via HiKorea

The Ministry of Justice (법무부, Beommubu) sets the national policy, while local immigration offices handle interviews and approvals. You can read the governing rules in English on the Korea Ministry of Government Legislation statute portal.

HiKorea appointment booking

What are the F-6 visa eligibility requirements?

To meet F-6 visa eligibility requirements, you must show a genuine and ongoing marriage, a place to live together, a sponsor who meets the income floor, and basic communication ability. The Ministry of Justice screens for sham marriages, so officers check that the couple can actually communicate and that the relationship is real.

The core eligibility checks are:

1. Genuine marriage: The marriage is legally registered in both countries and is not arranged only for a visa.
2. Housing: You have a real home to share. A lease or ownership document is reviewed.
3. Income: The Korean sponsor meets the minimum income (see next section).
4. Language: At least one spouse can communicate in Korean or a shared language the couple uses.

The income requirement marriage visa Korea applicants face is the part most people underestimate, so it gets its own section below. For the legal basis of these checks, see the Korea Immigration Service.

The language rule can usually be met one of three ways: a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 1 certificate, completion of the KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program) stage, or passing the immigration officer’s interview. You can check KIIP course details on Sejong Hakdang / KIIP.

What is the income requirement for a Korea marriage visa?

The Korean sponsor must show stable annual income above a set floor. For a two-person household the figure is around KRW 22.18 million per year, and it rises with household size. The Ministry of Justice updates this number every year, so confirm the current threshold on HiKorea before applying. Assets and a guarantor can sometimes offset low income.

The income floor scales with how many people the sponsor supports. Larger families face a higher number. Income can be proven with one or more of these:

Tax records are pulled from the National Tax Service; you can review English guidance at NTS. If the sponsor’s income is below the line, immigration may still approve the case when savings or a guarantor cover the gap, but approval is not automatic.

open Korean bank account foreigner

What are the spousal visa required documents?

The spousal visa required documents form the heart of the application. You need proof of marriage, proof of relationship history, proof of income, proof of housing, and identity papers for both spouses. Missing or untranslated documents are the most common reason for delay. Foreign-issued papers usually need an apostille or consular legalization plus a Korean translation.

A typical F-6-1 document set includes:

• Visa application form and one passport photo
• Your passport and a copy of the Korean spouse’s ID (주민등록증)
• Korean marriage certificate and your home-country marriage record
• Family relation certificate (가족관계증명서) of the Korean spouse
• Proof of income (tax receipt, employment certificate)
• Housing proof (lease or property certificate)
• Invitation letter and relationship evidence (photos, messages, travel records)
• Korean language proof (TOPIK, KIIP, or interview)

For an initial visa from abroad, the Korean spouse often files a confirmation of visa issuance first. If you are already in Korea on another status, you apply for a status change instead (next section). The full document checklist is published on HiKorea, and you can verify civil documents through Government24.

How do you change status to F-6 or extend the visa?

If you already live in Korea on a student or work visa, you do not need to leave. A marriage visa status change Korea application lets you switch from your current status to F-6 at a local immigration office. To keep the visa, you later file an F-6 visa extension procedure before the current period ends, usually 1 to 2 months ahead.

For the marriage visa status change Korea route, the steps are:

1. Marry and register the marriage in Korea and your home country.
2. Book an appointment on HiKorea for a “change of status” (자격변경).
3. Submit the F-6 document set, including income and housing proof.
4. Attend the interview if requested, then receive your new ARC (Alien Registration Card).

The F-6 visa extension procedure is similar but simpler once you are established:

1. Apply on HiKorea 1-2 months before your stay expires.
2. Submit updated proof of marriage, income, and address.
3. Pay the extension fee and receive a new permitted period.

After several years on F-6, many spouses become eligible for the F-5 permanent residence visa or naturalization. The KIIP program can shorten parts of that path. Health coverage is separate: once you hold the ARC you are generally enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service; check English details at NHIS.

Keep copies of every submitted paper. If a renewal is refused, the office issues a written reason, and you can reapply or appeal. Confirm fees and timing on the Korea Immigration Service before each visit.