There are 343 foreign nationals in Jecheon who married a Korean and live here with marriage migrant (F-6) status (as of the end of June 2026). Marriage migrants can extend their period of stay while the marriage continues, and after 2 years they can prepare for permanent residence or naturalization.
When you extend
- The period of stay you can get at one time is up to 3 years. The period granted depends on how long you have been married, whether you have children, and whether you actually live together.
- Main documents: passport, residence card, application form, and your Korean spouse's marriage relationship certificate and copy of resident registration (a family relationship certificate if you have children)
- Your Korean spouse does not have to come with you.
- You can apply from 4 months before the expiry date, so prepare in advance.
What you must follow
- If you move, report your change of address within 15 days
- If you plan to stay abroad for more than 1 year, check the re-entry permit rules before leaving
- You can extend even if you are separated or in divorce proceedings, but you need documents explaining your situation.
If you have divorced or your spouse has died
The end of your marriage does not mean you must leave Korea right away.
- If you are raising a child you had with your Korean spouse: stay with child-rearing (F-6-2) status
- If your spouse has died or gone missing, or you divorced through no fault of your own: stay with marriage dissolution (F-6-3) status
- In other cases too, you may be able to stay for a short period if matters such as settling property remain.
You must show with documents that you were not at fault. Collect documents such as a report filed when your spouse left home, medical certificates and confirmation letters from counseling organizations in advance.
If you have been a victim of violence
From August 24, 2026, foreign victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and the like can also apply for an extension of stay and other matters at the immigration office for the area where their shelter is located. You do not have to go to the office in the area where the perpetrator lives. Moving into a shelter is not treated as something that requires a report of change of address.
Staying long term: permanent residence and naturalization
- If you have lived in Korea with F-6 for 2 years or more, you can consider applying for permanent residence (F-5). You need the ability to support yourself and basic knowledge (such as the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP)), and the income requirement is relaxed if you are raising children.
- You can also prepare for naturalization from the same point. Completing KIIP level 5 is accepted as passing the comprehensive naturalization test.
Inviting family from your home country
To help with childbirth and raising children, you can invite parents or other family members from your home country with visiting or joining family (F-1-5) status. Currently this is allowed until March of the year your child turns 10 (up to 7 years), and in September 2026 the Ministry of Justice began discussing a plan to extend this to age 12 (not yet in effect).
Jecheon Bareun Visa can help
- F-6 extension applications on your behalf and document review
- Extensions during separation or divorce proceedings, applications for child-rearing (F-6-2) and marriage dissolution (F-6-3) status, and writing statements of reasons
- Review of permanent residence (F-5) requirements and applications on your behalf
- Applications for a Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance to invite family from your home country (F-1-5)
- Reports such as change of address
We do not represent clients in divorce suits or administrative litigation, as this is the work of lawyers. If needed, we will tell you what kind of help is available. Please contact us via Book a visit or Ask a question.
Sources
- Ministry of Justice moves to extend the period of stay for home-country family of marriage migrants and lay the groundwork for supporting children and youth with migrant backgrounds — Ministry of Justice press release, 18 Sep 2026.
- Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice, closes gaps in stay services for foreign nationals including victims of violence — Ministry of Justice press release, 4 Sep 2026.
- Ministry of Justice sets the reform direction for the Korea Immigration and Integration Program… gathers on-site opinions from heads of operating institutions — Ministry of Justice press release, 12 Jul 2026.
- Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreign Policy Monthly Statistics, June 2026 (법무부 출입국·외국인정책 통계월보)
The information above is as of the date of the Ministry of Justice press release. Actual requirements must be checked against the laws and guidelines in effect when you apply. If you have any questions, please leave them via Ask a question.