Last reviewed: October 18, 2026 · Income figures below are the 2026 F-6 thresholds. Permanent-residence income rules use GNI and are kept in our GNI guide.
Quick answer
- The F-6 visa is for the foreign spouse of a Korean citizen (F-6-1), a parent raising the couple’s Korean child after the marriage ended (F-6-2), and a spouse whose marriage ended through no fault of their own (F-6-3).
- For a new F-6-1 visa, the Korean spouse must meet a 2026 income threshold of KRW 25,195,752 a year for a two-person household, and the couple must show they can communicate in a shared language. That language does not have to be Korean.
- The visa is issued for 90 days. You register and extend within 90 days of entry, and the first permit usually runs 1 year from entry.
- Later extensions are granted for up to 1 year each, or up to 3 years if you are raising a child born to the couple.
- F-6 holders can work in any job. After 2 years on F-6, you can apply for permanent residence (F-5-2).
- F-6-1, F-6-2 and F-6-3
- Requirements at a glance
- 2026 income requirement and exemptions
- The communication (language) requirement
- Applying from abroad or changing status in Korea
- Extensions: 1 year, 2 years or 3 years?
- Work, re-entry and job reporting
- Separation, divorce or a spouse’s death
- From F-6 to permanent residence (F-5-2)
- FAQ
F-6-1, F-6-2 and F-6-3
| Code | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| F-6-1 Spouse of a Korean citizen | A foreigner whose marriage to a Korean citizen is validly registered and who wants to live in Korea to continue the marriage |
| F-6-2 Child-raising | A parent who raises, or wants to raise, in Korea a minor child born from a marriage (or de facto marriage) with a Korean citizen after the relationship ended |
| F-6-3 Marriage ended | A spouse living in Korea whose Korean spouse died or went missing, or whose marriage broke down for reasons that were not their fault |
The maximum stay that can be granted at one time on F-6 is 3 years. The rest of this guide is mostly about F-6-1, the visa most couples apply for.
F-6-1 requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What the manual asks for | Exemptions |
|---|---|---|
| Valid marriage | Marriage registered in Korea (family relation and marriage certificates of the Korean spouse), plus a marriage certificate from your country when needed to rule out bigamy | — |
| Income of the Korean spouse | Pre-tax income over the past year at or above the 2026 threshold for the household size (table below) | Child together; lived together abroad for 1+ year; previous F-6 with the same spouse |
| Communication | Proof that the couple can talk to each other in Korean or another shared language | Child together; previous F-6 with the same spouse |
| Housing | A home owned or rented by the Korean spouse or their immediate family or siblings, at the address on the resident registration | Company housing and similar places may be accepted |
| Relationship evidence | Photos, family photos and chat history showing how you met (up to 5 A4 pages); broker documents if you met through a marriage agency | Some introduction documents are waived with a child together or a previous F-6 |
| International Marriage Guidance Program | Completion certificate for the Korean spouse when the foreign spouse is from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Uzbekistan or Mongolia | The Korean spouse lived 6+ months in the foreign spouse’s country (or in a third country on a long-term visa) while dating, the foreign spouse stayed 91+ days in Korea on a long-term status while dating, or there are humanitarian reasons such as pregnancy |
| Health and criminal records | Health certificates for both spouses (issued within 6 months, including a TB test for the foreign spouse) and the foreign spouse’s criminal record certificate (within 3 months) | Waived when the Korean spouse is exempt from the guidance program (TB certificate still needed) |
Source: MOJ visa manual, F-6 section (revised August 7, 2026). Missions can add or drop documents during review, so check the checklist of the embassy that will process your case.
2026 income requirement and exemptions
The Korean spouse’s pre-tax income over the past year must be at least the amount for the household size:
| Household size | 2026 minimum annual income (KRW) |
|---|---|
| 2 people | 25,195,752 |
| 3 people | 32,154,216 |
| 4 people | 38,968,428 |
| 5 people | 45,340,314 |
| 6 people | 51,335,712 |
| 7 people | 57,090,900 |
| 8 or more | Add 5,755,188 for each extra person |
What counts toward the income
- Earned income or business income, proven with the National Tax Service income certificate. Business income is judged by the declared amount, so under-reported income will not count unless it is corrected with the tax office.
- Other income, such as rent or interest.
- Assets: deposits, insurance, securities and bonds count only if they are KRW 1 million or more and have been held for 6 months or longer. Real estate is proven with the registry and official price.
- Family income: only immediate family (parents, grandparents, children) on the same resident registration as the Korean spouse, or the foreign spouse being invited, can top up the income. Siblings cannot.
When the income rule does not apply
- The couple has a child together.
- The couple has lived together abroad for at least 1 year before the application and the Korean spouse has had no Korean income for the past year.
- The foreign spouse has held F-6 before with the same spouse and the marriage was never interrupted.
The communication (language) requirement
The rule is about whether the couple can communicate, not whether the foreign spouse speaks Korean. Submit one of the following:
| Language used | Accepted proof |
|---|---|
| Korean | TOPIK level 1 or higher (including TOPIK IBT); a Korean Education Center certificate (level 2, 120+ hours) or King Sejong Institute certificate (Beginner 1A + 1B); a designated Korean course certificate; a Korean-related university degree; proof of being an ethnic Korean; or proof the foreign spouse has lived in Korea for 1+ year continuously |
| The foreign spouse’s language | The Korean spouse lived for 1+ year continuously in a country where that language is official, or is a naturalised Korean from such a country |
| Another shared language (for example English) | Both spouses lived for 1+ year continuously in a country where that language is official |
| Any language | A language test score above a set level, or passing an interview in that language at the embassy |
The communication rule is waived if you have a child together or the foreign spouse held F-6 before with the same spouse without a break in the marriage.
Applying from abroad or changing status in Korea
From abroad
- The foreign spouse applies at the Korean embassy or consulate (or its visa center) with the invitation letter and guarantee written by the Korean spouse, the foreign spouse’s marriage background statement, and the documents above.
- The F-6-1 visa is a single-entry visa valid for a stay of up to 90 days (U.S. citizens receive a multiple-entry visa).
- Within 90 days of entry, visit your local immigration office to register (get your ARC) and extend your stay. The permit runs 1 year from entry.
- Nationals of the seven guidance-program countries get 2 years at registration if they complete the early adaptation program after entry. Otherwise they are granted stays in 6-month blocks up to 2 years from entry.
Changing to F-6 inside Korea
Foreigners staying legally on a long-term status, for example D-2, D-10 or E-7, can apply to change to F-6-1 at their immigration office. The permit is for up to 1 year, and the documents are the same as for the visa.
Extensions: 1 year, 2 years or 3 years?
For F-6-1, the manual allows each extension for up to 1 year. If you are raising a child born to the couple, an extension can be for up to 3 years. The office decides the actual length within that range, so two couples can receive different periods.
Documents for an F-6-1 extension:
- application form, passport, fee;
- the Korean spouse’s detailed marriage certificate and resident registration copy;
- the child’s family relation certificate, if you have a child together;
- a foreigner occupation report form;
- proof of address (lease, accommodation certificate, utility bill and so on), and anything else the officer requests.
F-6 is not available for online extension on HiKorea, so book a visit. See our HiKorea guide for how reservations work, and the address change guide if you have moved.
Work, re-entry and job reporting
- Work: F-6 holders are not limited by the status-based employment rules, so you can work for any employer or run a business without a separate work permit.
- Job reporting: since 2026, F-6 holders in paid work report their occupation, industry and income on HiKorea. See online employment reporting.
- Re-entry: registered F-6 holders do not need a re-entry permit if they come back within 1 year of leaving (within their stay period). For 1 to 2 years abroad, apply for a multiple re-entry permit.
Separation, divorce or a spouse’s death
| Situation | Status under the manual |
|---|---|
| Living apart, divorce case in progress, or the Korean spouse is missing (before a court declaration) | F-6-1 can still be extended with proof of the situation (for example a missing-person report, medical records, a shelter certificate or court filing) |
| The Korean spouse died, or was declared missing by the family court | F-6-3 |
| Divorced, mainly because of the Korean spouse (leaving home, violence and similar), with objective proof | F-6-3 |
| Divorced and raising the couple’s minor child in Korea | F-6-2 (up to 3 years per extension) |
| Divorced, not raising the child, but with visitation rights and regular contact | F-6-2 for up to 1 year at a time |
| Marriage ended but none of the above applies, and you need to settle property | F-1-6 for 6 months at a time, up to 1 year |
A weekend-only marriage does not count as separation. If you are in this situation, contact 1345 or a migrant support center before your stay expires.
From F-6 to permanent residence (F-5-2)
A foreign spouse who has stayed in Korea on F-6 for 2 years or more and is still in a normal legal marriage can apply for F-5-2. The main conditions are:
- Good conduct (an overseas criminal record certificate issued within 6 months is required);
- Livelihood: the income of you and the family members who have lived with you for 1+ year is at least the previous year’s GNI per capita, or the household’s net assets are at least the national median. The current GNI figure is in our GNI guide;
- Basic knowledge: completing the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP), or scoring 60/100 or more on its comprehensive evaluation. See KIIP registration;
- at least 3 photos of the couple from family events, holidays, travel or daily life.
A Ministry of Justice notice can ease or waive the livelihood and basic knowledge conditions in some cases. Ask 1345 or your immigration office whether it applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need an English certificate for the F-6 visa if we speak English together?
Not necessarily. If both of you lived in an English-speaking country for at least 1 year continuously, proof of that stay is enough. Otherwise you can submit an English test score or pass an interview at the embassy. Couples with a child together are exempt.
Can I get a 2-year F-6 extension?
The stay manual allows F-6-1 extensions of up to 1 year, or up to 3 years if you are raising a child born to the couple. A 2-year permit is possible at first registration for nationals of the seven guidance-program countries who complete the early adaptation program. In other cases the office decides the length within those limits.
I am on D-10. Should I change to F-3 or F-6 after marrying?
F-3 is for dependants of foreigners on certain visas. If your spouse is a Korean citizen, the matching status is F-6-1. D-10 is a long-term status, so you can usually apply to change to F-6-1 inside Korea. See also our D-10 guide.
Can I change to F-6 if I entered Korea visa-free?
Generally no. Visa-free and short-term visa holders must apply for the F-6 visa at a Korean embassy abroad. Exceptions exist for German citizens and for pregnancy, childbirth or raising the couple’s child.
Can I change from a Working Holiday visa to F-6?
No. The stay manual states that H-1 holders cannot change to F-6 inside Korea. Read more about the limits in our H-1 Working Holiday guide.
Can I work on an F-6 visa?
Yes. F-6 is not limited by the status-based employment rules, so you can work in any job. You still need to report your job information on HiKorea.
Can I extend F-6 online?
No. F-6 is on HiKorea’s list of statuses excluded from online extension. Book a visit at your immigration office.
Related guides
- F-2 residence visa in Korea
- Alien Registration Card (ARC) guide
- HiKorea guide: e-applications and visit reservations
- Korea visa denial reasons
Official references
- HiKorea: Ministry of Justice visa and stay manuals by status (revised August 7, 2026), Information → Notices/Manuals
- Immigration Contact Center 1345
Information notice: This guide gives general information based on Ministry of Justice manuals checked October 18, 2026. Embassies and immigration offices can ask for extra documents, and income thresholds are updated every year. It is not individual legal advice; your embassy or immigration office decides individual cases.