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Legal Basis and Benefits of the Change
○ Legal Basis : Article 30 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act (Permission to Change Residence Status) and [Attachment 1-2] Classification of Residence Status, Residence (F-2) category under the same Enforcement Decree
○ Qualification Code : F-2-3 (Spouse of a Permanent Resident)
○ Key Difference : While F-1 status generally prohibits employment and income-generating activities, changing to F-2-3 status allows employment and economic activities at a level comparable to Korean nationals.
Key Examination Requirements
To change status from F-1 to F-2-3 in Korea, the following core requirements must be met.
○ Income and Means of Livelihood : The combined annual income of the permanent resident (applicant) or cohabiting family members must be at or above the previous year's Korean per capita Gross National Income (GNI). (However, depending on the type of permanent residency obtained, the income requirement may be partially relaxed or exempted.)
○ Genuineness of Marriage : The legal marital relationship must remain valid.
○ Good Conduct : Both spouses must have no criminal records (imprisonment or higher sentences) domestically or abroad.
○ Health Requirements : Both spouses must be free from infectious diseases designated by the Ministry of Justice, such as tuberculosis.
Residence Status Change Procedure
1. Document Issuance, Translation, and Notarization
Essential documents issued abroad (marriage certificate, criminal record certificate, etc.) must obtain Apostille certification from the issuing country's government or confirmation from the Korean consulate, and Korean translations must be prepared.
2. Visit Reservation (HiKorea)
Make an advance reservation for a visit to the immigration office with jurisdiction over your residence through the HiKorea website. (Applications cannot be accepted without a prior reservation.)
3. Submission at the Immigration Office
On the reserved date, both spouses should attend together if possible, submit all prepared documents, and apply for permission to change residence status. At this time, the fee (stamp duty and registration card issuance fee of approximately 130,000 KRW) must be paid.
4. Immigration Review
The immigration office comprehensively reviews the genuineness of the marriage, criminal history, and income requirements based on the submitted documents. (Usually takes 1 to 3 months.)
5. Receipt of New Alien Registration Card
Once approved, a new Alien Registration Card with the changed residence status of F-2-3 will be issued.
Required Documents
While specific documents required may vary slightly by immigration office, the basic essential documents are as follows.
Document Type | Required Items | |
|---|---|---|
Basic Documents | Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34), Passport and Alien Registration Card (both spouses), One standard-sized photo (spouse) | |
Proof of Family Relationship | Marriage certificate issued abroad (Apostille or consular verification required), Certificate of family relation records | |
Inviter (Permanent Resident) Documents | Invitation letter, Identity guarantee, Marriage background statement, Credit information inquiry report | |
Financial (Income and Housing) Proof | Income amount certificate (issued by the National Tax Service), Certificate of employment (if applicable), Real estate lease contract or certified copy of register | |
Proof of Conduct and Health | Spouse's overseas criminal record certificate (Apostille required), Tuberculosis examination result (issued by public health center, if from the relevant country) | |
Expert Advice
If the applicant (permanent resident) has already submitted an 'overseas criminal record certificate' when applying for F-5 status, their documents may be omitted. However, the spouse's overseas criminal record certificate must be newly issued in their home country, undergo Apostille, and be submitted, so it is advisable to prepare this document first.