Korean F-6 Visa for Japanese Citizens

Route fit

Who this page is for

Japanese citizens married to a Korean citizen.

Foreign nationals legally married to a Korean citizen. The marriage must be registered in Korea's family register (가족관계기록부). Applicants from certain countries must complete the International Marriage Guidance Program (국제결혼 안내프로그램) before the Korean spouse can submit a sponsorship application. Cannot change status from short-stay visa inside Korea — must apply at consulate abroad (limited exceptions for pregnancy, childbirth, child custody).

Why it appears in the Japan guide

Japanese spouses of Korean nationals can live and work in Korea on F-6, leading to F-5 permanent residency after 2 years of cohabitation.

Documents

Country-specific document focus

Prepare both sides of the marriage record: Korean spouse family records and Japanese civil or marriage documents.

Collect sponsor income, housing, relationship-history, communication, and family-support documents before filing.

Check name, address, and marriage-date consistency across Korean and Japanese records.

If the couple married abroad first, confirm which records must be registered in Korea before the visa filing.

Core F-6 checklist preview

- Valid passport + visa application form + passport photo
- Korean spouse's invitation letter (외국인 배우자 초청장, Korean language)
- Sponsor guarantee (신원보증서) signed by Korean spouse
- Marriage background statement (결혼배경진술서, English) written by applicant
- Korean spouse's 기본증명서(상세), 혼인관계증명서(상세), 가족관계증명서(상세), 주민등록등본
- Korean spouse's proof of income (소득세 납부증명서 from National Tax Service)

Open full checklist

Document authentication

Authentication focus for Japan documents

Use this as a preparation map before filing. Authentication, apostille, consular confirmation, translation, and original-document rules can change by document type, consulate, and receiving Korean office.

Open checklist

Authentication route

Japanese civil and marriage records should be checked against the Korean-side registration status and the consulate or immigration office handling the F-6 filing.

Translation check

Japanese family-register and marriage documents often need Korean translation that preserves names, dates, addresses, and relationship terms.

Identity consistency

Check Japanese and Korean marriage dates, spouse records, address history, and name formats before submitting relationship evidence.

Timing risk

Reconcile Japanese and Korean marriage registration records before preparing the final sponsor-side packet.

F-6 document note

For F-6, marriage registration, sponsor income, housing, and relationship-history evidence should be current and consistent on both sides.

Primary source checks before relying on this page

HiKorea - Korean visa & residency manual Korea Immigration Service HCCH Apostille status table and competent authorities

Risk review

What can delay or weaken the case

Record mismatch between Japanese and Korean marriage documents can delay review.

Thin relationship-history evidence can trigger extra questions even for legally married couples.

Income, housing, or prior divorce facts should be explained before immigration asks for supplements.

Visa-manual risk themes for F-6

Marriage records do not line up across countries

Korean family records, foreign marriage certificates, names, dates, translations, and authentication must tell the same story.

Sponsor income, housing, or invitation evidence is weak

The Korean spouse's invitation, identity guarantee, income, housing, and household documents are central. Weak sponsor-side records cause delays.

Communication or relationship evidence is thin

Immigration can examine how the couple communicates and whether the relationship appears genuine, especially where the case has risk factors.

Decision path

Is F-6 still the right route?

Use these checks before committing to documents, appointments, or employer/school timelines. If a nearby route fits better, open the comparison before filing.

Start with the current page, compare adjacent routes, then use the checklist only after the route is stable.

1F-6 vs F-2F-6 depends on marriage to a Korean citizen. F-2 routes depend on residence, points, family, or other qualifying grounds.

Stay with F-6 when

- You are married to a Korean national and living together in Korea
- You want the fastest path to F-5 — as few as 2 years on F-6 with cohabitation
- You have children together with your Korean spouse (F-6-2 is also available even if separated)

Check F-2 when

- You are a long-term resident transitioning from E-7, D-8, or other status via the F-2-7 points system
- Your marriage ended and you no longer qualify for F-6 (an 행정사 can advise on transitioning to F-2)
- You want residency that is independent of a personal relationship

Compare F-6 and F-2

2F-6 to F-5Marriage immigration can lead to permanent residency, but F-5 has separate stay, income, conduct, and integration requirements.

Stay with F-6 when

- Marriage immigration can lead to permanent residency, but F-5 has separate stay, income, conduct, and integration requirements.

Check another route when

- Use this path when the comparison does not fit the current filing facts.

Review F-5 permanent residency

3F-6 vs short stayA short visit is not a substitute for marriage immigration if the couple intends to live together in Korea long term.

Stay with F-6 when

- A short visit is not a substitute for marriage immigration if the couple intends to live together in Korea long term.

Check another route when

- Use this path when the comparison does not fit the current filing facts.

Review short-stay rules

Timeline

Best next sequence

Prepare sponsor-side Korean documents close enough to filing that they remain current.

If filing in Korea after entry, confirm the current status permits the intended change process.

Common filing mistakes

Avoid these before filing

Assuming marriage registration alone proves the relationship

A legal marriage record is required, but relationship history, communication, visits, housing, and sponsor evidence can still matter.

Leaving Korean and foreign marriage records inconsistent

Names, dates, addresses, divorce history, and registration sequence should match or be clearly explained across both countries' records.

Submitting weak sponsor income or housing documents without explanation

If income, housing, or family support is unusual, explain it before immigration requests supplements.

Forgetting translation and authentication for foreign civil records

Marriage, family, and identity documents issued in Japanese may need translation or authentication depending on the filing channel.

Waiting until current status is near expiry

If applying inside Korea, confirm the change route and timing early so the current status does not expire before the F-6 filing is accepted.

Compare this route

Nearby visa options to check

F-6 vs F-2

F-6 depends on marriage to a Korean citizen. F-2 routes depend on residence, points, family, or other qualifying grounds.

Compare F-6 and F-2

F-6 to F-5

Marriage immigration can lead to permanent residency, but F-5 has separate stay, income, conduct, and integration requirements.

Review F-5 permanent residency

F-6 vs short stay

A short visit is not a substitute for marriage immigration if the couple intends to live together in Korea long term.

Review short-stay rules

Example scenario

Married abroad and applying from home country

Fit

You married a Korean citizen outside Korea and will apply at a Korean embassy or consulate.

Main risk

Foreign marriage records, Korean family registration, translations, authentication, and sponsor invitation documents must align.

FAQ

F-6 questions for Japanese Citizens

Can japanese citizens apply for F-6 after marrying a Korean citizen abroad?

Possibly, but the marriage records must usually be clear on both sides. Confirm whether the overseas marriage also needs to be reflected in Korean family records before filing.

What relationship evidence helps an F-6 case for japanese citizens?

Useful evidence can include marriage records, relationship history, communication records, photos, visits, shared housing plans, and a clear explanation of how the couple communicates and lives together.

Can weak income or housing documents delay F-6 for japanese citizens?

Yes. Sponsor income, housing, family-support records, and explanations for special circumstances can affect review, especially if the basic financial picture is unclear.

Can japanese citizens change to F-6 inside Korea?

Sometimes, but it depends on the current stay status, marriage-registration records, timing, and immigration-office discretion. Confirm the change route before the current status expires.

Keep going from this visa case

Move between nationality, visa type, and hub pages to check the same issue from the most useful angle.

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Review & source basis

Manual-backed issues for F-6 applicants from Japan

Source review focus

Who this page is for

Country-specific document focus

Authentication focus for Japan documents

Authentication route

Translation check

Identity consistency

Timing risk

What can delay or weaken the case

Is F-6 still the right route?

Stay with F-6 when

Check F-2 when

Stay with F-6 when

Check another route when

Stay with F-6 when

Check another route when

Best next sequence

Pre-file self-check for this case

Avoid these before filing

Assuming marriage registration alone proves the relationship

Leaving Korean and foreign marriage records inconsistent

Submitting weak sponsor income or housing documents without explanation

Forgetting translation and authentication for foreign civil records

Waiting until current status is near expiry

Nearby visa options to check

F-6 vs F-2

F-6 to F-5

F-6 vs short stay

Married abroad and applying from home country

F-6 questions for Japanese Citizens

Can japanese citizens apply for F-6 after marrying a Korean citizen abroad?

What relationship evidence helps an F-6 case for japanese citizens?

Can weak income or housing documents delay F-6 for japanese citizens?

Can japanese citizens change to F-6 inside Korea?

Keep going from this visa case

Other Japan routes

F-6 for other nationalities

Hubs and action pages

Ask K-VISA AI

Find a certified immigration administrative agent.

Review & source basis

Manual-backed issues for F-6 applicants from Japan

Source review focus

Who this page is for

Country-specific document focus

Authentication focus for Japan documents

Authentication route

Translation check

Identity consistency

Timing risk

What can delay or weaken the case

Is F-6 still the right route?

Stay with F-6 when

Check F-2 when

Stay with F-6 when

Check another route when

Stay with F-6 when

Check another route when

Best next sequence

Pre-file self-check for this case

Avoid these before filing

Assuming marriage registration alone proves the relationship

Leaving Korean and foreign marriage records inconsistent

Submitting weak sponsor income or housing documents without explanation

Forgetting translation and authentication for foreign civil records

Waiting until current status is near expiry

Nearby visa options to check

F-6 vs F-2

F-6 to F-5

F-6 vs short stay

Married abroad and applying from home country

F-6 questions for Japanese Citizens

Can japanese citizens apply for F-6 after marrying a Korean citizen abroad?

What relationship evidence helps an F-6 case for japanese citizens?

Can weak income or housing documents delay F-6 for japanese citizens?

Can japanese citizens change to F-6 inside Korea?

Keep going from this visa case

Other Japan routes