Procedure of inviting a foreign national to marry and live together
Procedure of inviting a foreign national to marry and live together
- For a foreign national to be issued a visa for marriage and cohabitation purposes corresponding to any of the following, he/she must be invited by his/her spouse (former paragraph of Article 9-4, paragraph 1 of the “Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act”):
· A foreign minor child of the Korean national or the spouse or minor child of a person who holds the permanent residency (F-5) visa (attached Table 1-2 (24). Residency (F-2) item (a) of the “Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act”)
· A spouse of a Korean national (attached Table 1-2 (27). Immigration by Marriage (F-6) item (a) of the “Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act”)
※ In this case, the sponsor will be the reference for the invitee (latter part of Article 9-4, paragraph 1 of the “Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act”).
- Among foreign nationals who wish to obtain a visa for marriage or cohabitation, those who satisfy certain requirements must apply for the visa with a certificate demonstrating that their spouse, the sponsor, has completed the international marriage guide program, or a written invitation containing the completion certificate number for the international marriage guide program (Article 9-4, paragraph 2 of the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act”).
International marriage guide program
Scope of persons who are required to complete the international marriage guide program
- Persons who are required to complete the international marriage guide program:
· A spouse with Korean citizenship who wishes to invite a foreign national of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, or Thailand
- Persons who are exempt from the requirement to complete the international marriage guide program:
· If staying at his/her foreign marriage partner’s country for more than six months, or if having a relationship with his/her foreign marriage partner while remaining abroad at a third country with a long-term visa to study abroad, provide dispatch services, etc.
· If the foreign marriage partner entered Korea and legally stayed for more than 91 days with the status of long-term stay while having a relationship with the inviter pursuant to Attached Table 1-2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act
· Where it is deemed necessary to consider the spouse’s pregnancy, childbirth, and other issues for humanitarian reasons
※ Please be aware that if the sponsor fails to apply for issuance of a marriage visa within 5 years from the date on which he/she completes the program, it will be deemed no longer valid, and the sponsor will be required to complete the program again.
International marriage guide program
- Introduction of the institutions, culture, etiquette, etc. of the country related to the international marriage
- If introducing government policies (including the guidance of immigrated children’s public education), such as the issue procedure and examination standard of the marriage visa.
- If introducing cases of consulting civic group marriage immigrants or their disadvantages, or experience of international marriage immigrants or Korean marriage partners.
- Education of Human Rights (respect of human rights and conflict resolution efforts between married couples, prevention of family violence, etc.)
How to apply
- The application must be made before filing a request for invitation of a foreign spouse (certificate application).
- Apply online through the Immigration & Social Integration Network website (https://www.socinet.go.kr) in advance and participate in the designated training program.