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Under the Nationality Act, reporting loss of nationality is mandatory.
According to Article 16 of the Nationality Act of the Republic of Korea, persons who have lost Korean nationality are required to report loss of nationality to the Minister of Justice.
However, if you do not report loss of nationality immediately after acquiring foreign nationality, you may be subject to fines, etc. There are currently no regulations imposing penalties. (It is separate from the fine under the Immigration Control Act.)
It is desirable to report loss of nationality, and it is necessary in terms of practical advantages and prevention of disadvantages.
Reasons for reporting loss of nationality (What may happen if you do not report it? Problem):
Clarification of nationality relationship: If you acquire a foreign nationality, you automatically lose your Korean nationality, but that fact is not immediately organized in the family relationship register. Only by reporting, the family relationship register can be organized (closed) and the nationality relationship can be clarified.
Overseas Korean status/visa issue : When staying in Korea for a long period of time or applying for an F-4 visa (overseas Korean visa), reporting of loss of nationality is generally required first. If you do not report, you may face difficulties in issuing visas, etc.
Problems using Korean passport: If you use a Korean passport after losing your nationality, you will be entering the country as a foreigner without a valid visa and may be fined for violating the Immigration Control Act.
Problems with military service obligation (male) : If you do not report loss of nationality, you may continue to be managed as a Korean military service resource, which may cause confusion or disadvantages related to military service.
Inheritance, financial transactions, etc.: If loss of nationality is not recorded in the family relationship register, complications or delays may arise in proving foreign status in inheritance, real estate transactions, and use of financial institutions in Korea.
Therefore, it is a legal obligation and we strongly recommend that you report loss of nationality for the convenience of future visits to Korea and various administrative processes.
Required documents
1) 1 copy of loss of nationality report (refer to attached form)
2) 1 passport photo (taken within 6 months) photo, attachment of declaration)
3) Original foreign citizenship certificate (original and copy when applying for itinerant consul)
4) Korean translation of foreign citizenship certificate (for Australian citizenship certificate, refer to attached form)
5) Original foreign passport (original and copy when applying for itinerant consul)
* If the name on the foreign passport is different from the name reported at birth in Korea, ① below or ② must be submitted. (However, in cases where the name has been partially changed but can be considered the same person (e.g., when Korean Kim Gil-dong becomes KIM, JAMES GILDONG upon acquiring foreign nationality), submission is not required)
Legal status of overseas Koreans who have completed a loss of nationality report
○ In the case of overseas Koreans who have completed a loss of nationality report In accordance with the 「Act on Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans」 and related regulations, entry and exit from Korea and legal status within the Republic of Korea are guaranteed.
○ You must use your Australian passport when entering and exiting Korea, and if you stay for a short period of 90 days or less for purposes such as tourism or visiting relatives, K-ETA (However, from April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024) Due to the temporary exemption, you can visit with an Australian passport without K-ETA.)
If you wish to stay for a long period of time (91 days or more) for the purpose of studying or working, etc., you must obtain a long-term visa such as an overseas Korean visa (F-4) to enter the country.
○ If you do not report the loss of nationality, you will not be able to receive an F-4 visa, etc., so be sure to report the loss.