F 6 marriage visa requirements and interview comprehensive guide

Getting married is a milestone of love, but securing an F-6 Marriage Visa in South Korea is a milestone of paperwork. For international spouses wishing to reside in Korea, the F-6 visa is often considered the "golden ticket" because it offers significantly more freedom than work-sponsored visas. However, the application process is rigorous, data-intensive, and designed to strictly weed out sham marriages.

As we move through 2026, immigration policies have tightened slightly regarding income thresholds and language proficiency verification. This guide is your roadmap through the bureaucracy, designed to help you prepare a flawless application package.

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Understanding the F-6 Visa Types

Before diving into the requirements, it is crucial to identify which specific sub-category of the F-6 visa applies to your situation. The requirements differ slightly for each.

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• F-6-1 (Spouse of a Korean National): The standard visa for those maintaining a normal marital relationship.
• F-6-2 (Child Raising): For those raising a minor child born between a Korean national and a foreign national (even if not married or divorced).
• F-6-3 (Spouse after Divorce/Death): For those who cannot maintain the marriage due to the death of the Korean spouse or other causes where the foreign spouse is not at fault.

The F-6 visa allows you to work legally in almost any field without a separate sponsor. The initial validity period is usually 1 year, after which you can extend it for periods of 1 to 3 years at a time.

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Prerequisite: Legal Marriage Registration

You cannot apply for the F-6 visa until you are legally married to your Korean partner. This means your marriage must be registered in South Korea ("Honin-singgo").

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It is not required to be registered in your home country to apply for the visa, but it must be registered in Korea. The registration process at a local Gu-office (District Office) takes approximately 3 to 5 business days.

1. The Income Requirement (2026 Standards)

The most common hurdle for couples is the financial capability requirement. The Korean government requires the Korean spouse (inviter) to prove they can support the foreign spouse.

The threshold is based on the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita and is updated annually. For 2026 applications, the calculation is based on the previous year's finalized tax data.

How to Prove Income

The Korean spouse must provide an "Income Amount Certificate" (Sodeuk-geumaek-jeungmyung-won) from the National Tax Service.

1. Earned Income: Salary, wages, bonuses.
2. Business Income: Net profit from a business.
3. Financial Assets: Interest or dividends.
4. Property: If the income is insufficient, you can use assets. 5% of the value of assets (savings, real estate) held for more than 6 months can be converted into income.

Example: If you are short by ₩5,000,000, you can cover this gap by showing savings of ₩100,000,000 (5% of 100M = 5M).

Exemptions:

• If the couple has a child together.
• If the couple has lived abroad together for over 1 year.

2. The Language Requirement

To prevent communication issues, the foreign spouse must prove they can communicate in Korean, or the couple must prove they communicate in a third language.

If you rely on English (or another third language), you may need to provide transcripts showing the Korean spouse lived in an English-speaking country for at least 1 year or holds a degree from an English-taught program. Without this, a video interview or phone interview to test communication is highly likely.

3. Housing Requirements

You must prove you have a place to live. The home does not need to be owned; a rental contract (Jeonse or Wolse) is acceptable.

• Space: The space must be appropriate for two people. A tiny "Goshiwon" (exam study room usually 3-5 square meters) or a motel room is generally rejected.
• Name on Contract: It should be in the Korean spouse's name, the foreign spouse's name, or an immediate family member's name.

4. Criminal Background & Medical Checks

Both spouses must submit certain health and background checks. This is a reciprocal requirement introduced several years ago.

• Criminal Record: The foreign spouse must provide a nationwide criminal record check from their home country (e.g., FBI Channeler check for US citizens). This must be Apostilled.
• Health Check: Both spouses need a health examination from a designated hospital. This includes screening for STDs, mental health issues, and Tuberculosis.
• Cost: The health check in Korea typically costs between ₩80,000 and ₩120,000.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The application generally takes place at the Korean Embassy in the foreign spouse's home country. However, if you are already in Korea on a long-term visa (like E-2, D-2, D-10), you can change your status to F-6 at the local Immigration Office.

Applying from Overseas (Embassy)

1. Download Forms: Get the specific F-6 application packet from your local embassy website.
2. Fee: Usually $40 - $60 USD (approx. 55,000 - ₩85,000) depending on currency exchange rates.
3. Wait Time: Currently averaging 4 to 8 weeks.

Changing Status in Korea

1. Reservation: Book a visit at HiKorea.go.kr. Slots fill up 2-4 weeks in advance.
2. Fee: ₩100,000 (Revenue stamps) + ₩30,000 (ARC card fee).
3. Processing: Usually processed within 3 to 6 weeks.

The Dreaded Interview

Not every couple is interviewed. If your documents are perfect and your relationship history is clear, you might skip this. However, if there are red flags—such as a large age gap (15+ years), short dating history (met less than 3 months ago), or language proficiency doubts—you will be called in.

Common Interview Questions

The interview is conducted separately to cross-reference answers.

1. "Where and when exactly did you first meet?"
2. "Who proposed and how?"
3. "What are your spouse's siblings' names?"
4. "How much does your spouse earn per month?"
5. "What is the date of your spouse's birthday?"

Relationship Proof: The Love Story Portfolio

One of the most unique parts of the F-6 application is the "proof of relationship." You cannot just say you are in love; you must document it.

You should prepare a portfolio (often 20-30 pages) containing:

• Photos: Dating photos, wedding photos, photos with family. Date-stamp them if possible.
• Chat Logs: KakaoTalk or WhatsApp history. Export the logs. You don't need every "hello," but show a continuous stream of communication over time.
• Call History: Screenshots of call logs showing duration and frequency.
• Travel Proof: Flight tickets or hotel bookings where both names appear.

After Approval: Life as an F-6 Holder

Once your visa is approved, you must enter Korea (if applying from abroad) within 90 days of visa issuance.

Upon arrival, or if you changed status in Korea, you must visit the Immigration Office to register your fingerprints and receive your Alien Registration Card (ARC). The card usually arrives via mail within 3 weeks after this visit. The delivery fee is ₩4,000 payable in cash upon delivery.

Working on an F-6

The F-6 visa offers immense freedom. You can:

• Work freely without employer sponsorship.
• Start a business (though you must register the business for tax purposes).
• Sign contracts in your own name easily.

Unlike the E-2 visa, if you quit your job, you do not lose your visa. Your visa is tied to your spouse, not your employer.

Renewal and Permanent Residency

Your first F-6 is usually valid for 1 year.

• First Renewal: Usually grants another 1 year.
• Subsequent Renewals: Can grant 2 or 3 years if the marriage is stable and you have children.

F-5 (Permanent Residency) Path: After 2 years on an F-6 visa in Korea, you are eligible to apply for the F-5-2 Permanent Residency visa, provided you meet higher income (GNI x 1) and language requirements (TOPIK 2 or KIIP completion).

Frequently Asked Questions

Securing an F-6 visa is a marathon, not a sprint. The volume of paperwork can feel overwhelming—often resulting in a stack of paper 2 to 3 centimeters thick. However, by organizing your documents month by month and ensuring your financial and communication proofs are solid, you can navigate this process successfully. Good luck with your application!