Marriage migrant (F-6) visa: extension, grant & change — 2026 document checklist
A step-by-step guide to extending F-6, changing your status to F-6, and the grant of F-6 status — required documents, the sponsor income requirement, fees, and where to apply.
The marriage migrant (F-6) visa (결혼이민) is a status of stay granted to foreign nationals who are married to a Korean citizen. The status carries no restriction on employment activity, and after two years of residence the holder may apply to change to permanent residence (F-5).
This page covers two main procedures. The first is the extension of stay (체류기간 연장), used when an F-6 holder needs to renew their existing status. The second is the change of status to F-6 (체류자격 변경), used when a person already in Korea under a different status marries a Korean citizen and wishes to switch to F-6. Both procedures use the same integrated application form (통합신청서, form No. 34, 별지 제34호서식). Requirements can vary by office, so it is always worth confirming the exact list for your situation: verify with HiKorea or call the 1345 hotline before you file, because immigration offices may request additional proof of income, residence, or the genuineness of the marriage depending on the case. Filing on time also matters, since an extension submitted after the status of stay has already expired can lead to a penalty, so applicants should plan ahead and gather their administrative documents early, especially the family-relationship records that must be issued within the last three months.
Steps
1Prepare documents for your procedure
Assemble the core document group (통합신청서, passport, 외국인등록증, a photo, 혼인관계증명서, 가족관계증명서, 주민등록등본) together with the sponsor's income evidence and proof of residence. Download the application form (통합신청서, 별지 제34호서식) for free from hikorea.go.kr under "민원서식".
2Check the sponsor income requirement
The sponsor (the Korean-citizen spouse) must meet the prior-year income threshold based on household size. The 2026 threshold for a two-person household is ₩25,195,752 (effective February 1, 2026). Certain cases — for example, a child born of the marriage — are exempt from the income review.
3Book a HiKorea appointment or apply online
An extension can be filed online through HiKorea (전자민원) up to the expiry date. A change of status is usually filed in person at the local immigration office (출입국·외국인청) for your area; booking an appointment (방문예약) in advance is recommended.
4Submit within the correct window
An F-6 extension is filed from four months before the status-of-stay expiry date up to the expiry date itself. A change of status to F-6 is filed while you are lawfully residing under another status and have married a Korean citizen.
5Pay the fee and receive the result
Pay the review fee: extension ₩30,000, change of status to F-6 ₩100,000, grant of F-6 status ₩40,000. Online processing usually takes about three business days; overall processing is within 14 days of acceptance.
Documents to prepare
F-6 extension — documents (in submission order)
- 통합신청서 — 별지 제34호서식 — Integrated application form (form No. 34)Fully completed and signed
- 여권 / 외국인등록증 — Passport + Alien Registration CardOriginals for verification
- 사진 (3.5 × 4.5 cm) — ID photo (35x45mm)White background, taken within 6 months if the office requires an update
- 혼인관계증명서 — Marriage relationship certificate of the Korean sponsorIssued within the last 3 months
- 가족관계증명서 — Family relationship certificate of the sponsorIssued within the last 3 months
- 주민등록등본 — Resident registration extractProof of cohabitation; issued within the last 3 months
- 소득요건 입증서류 — Proof of the sponsor's incomeAccording to the household income requirement (see Fees & requirements)
- 체류지 입증서류 — Proof of residenceLease / proof of home ownership / jeonse·wolse contract
- 신원보증서 — Personal guarantee letterPer the prescribed form, if the office requires it
Change to F-6 — additional documents (체류자격 변경)
- 통합신청서 — 별지 제34호서식 — Application for change of status (form No. 34)Fully completed and signed
- 혼인관계증명서 / 가족관계증명서 / 주민등록등본 — Full set of the Korean sponsor's civil-status documentsIssued within the last 3 months
- 결혼이민자 초청장 — Invitation letter from the Korean spousePer the prescribed form
- 신원보증서 — Personal guarantee letterPer the prescribed form
- 혼인 진정성 입증자료 — Evidence that the marriage is genuinePhotos together, evidence of the courtship, communication history as required
- 주거요건 입증서류 — Proof of housingLease/ownership contract; 고시원, motels, and greenhouses (비닐하우스) are not accepted as valid housing
- 의사소통 능력 입증서류 — Proof of Korean communication abilityTOPIK level 1 or above, or KIIP level 2 or above, or a 세종학당/한국교육원 course of 120 hours or more
- 건강진단서 — Health examination certificateAt a medical institution designated by the Ministry of Justice, if the office requires it
Fees
- F-6 extension of stay (체류기간 연장)₩30,000
- Change of status to F-6 (체류자격 변경)₩100,000
- Grant of F-6 status (체류자격 부여)₩40,000
- Sponsor income requirement — two-person household, 2026 (소득요건)₩25,195,752/year
Where & how to submit
Apply at the local immigration office (출입국·외국인청 / 사무소 / 출장소) for your registered address. An extension can be filed online through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr → "전자민원" → "체류기간연장") up to the expiry date. For in-person filing, booking an appointment (방문예약) in advance is recommended. You can look up the office with jurisdiction over your area via HiKorea (관할 출입국·외국인관서 조회). For any questions, call the foreigner information center on 1345 (multilingual; from abroad +82-2-1345).
Prepare your F-6 documents faster
<p>Get the free checklist now. When the Autofill service launches, it will pre-fill the 통합신청서 for you so you only need to review and submit.</p>
Get the free checklistFrequently asked questions
When should I file the F-6 extension?
An F-6 extension of stay can be filed from four months before the status-of-stay expiry date up to the expiry date itself. Filing early helps you avoid running late.
What is the 2026 sponsor income requirement?
The sponsor must have prior-year (pre-tax) income meeting the threshold for the household size. For a two-person household this is ₩25,195,752 per year (effective February 1, 2026). Up to 5% of asset value may be recognized as income.
When is the income review waived?
For example, when there is a child born of the marriage between the sponsor and the applicant, or when the couple lived together abroad for more than a year after marriage so that no domestic income arose in the most recent year.
What level of Korean is needed to change to F-6?
One of the following: TOPIK level 1 or above (a valid certificate), completion of KIIP (사회통합프로그램) level 2 or above, a 세종학당 or 한국교육원 Korean course of 120 hours or more, or a Korean-language degree from a university.
How long after getting F-6 can I apply for permanent residence (F-5)?
A person who has held F-6 and resided in Korea for two years or more may apply to change to permanent residence (F-5), provided the general conditions are met: good conduct, the ability to maintain a livelihood, and the basic requirements for Korean language and understanding of Korean society and culture.
Do foreign-language documents need to be translated?
Yes. Foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a Korean translation, and depending on the type a notarized translation may be required. Administrative documents (혼인관계증명서, 가족관계증명서, 주민등록등본) should be issued within the last three months.