Visa Comparison — South Korea
F-6 vs F-2 Visa Korea — Marriage Migrant vs Long-Term Resident
F-6 and F-2 are both long-term Korean residency visas that allow unrestricted work, but they have very different eligibility bases. F-6 (결혼이민) is issued specifically to foreign spouses of Korean nationals and is closely tied to the marriage relationship. F-2 (거주) is a broader long-term resident category awarded through a points-based system, transitions from other visa statuses, or as a result of specific circumstances. Understanding the difference matters for both your initial application and your long-term residency strategy.
F-6 vs F-2 — side-by-side comparison
Who qualifies
F-6
Foreign spouses of Korean nationals
F-2
Points system (F-2-7), status transitions, humanitarian, others
Work rights
F-6
Unrestricted — all sectors
F-2
Unrestricted — all sectors
Initial duration
F-6
1 year (renewable)
F-2
1–3 years (renewable)
Tied to marriage?
F-6
Yes — divorce triggers review
F-2
No — independent of personal relationships
Path to F-5
F-6
2 years cohabitation with Korean spouse
F-2
5 years total lawful stay (general) or faster routes
Language requirement
F-6
Yes — Korean or prior F-6 exemption
F-2
Contributes to points; not standalone requirement for all subtypes
Income requirement
F-6
기준 중위소득 threshold (sponsor)
F-2
Stable income (amount varies by subtype)
Subtypes
F-6
F-6-1 (co-habiting), F-6-2 (child), F-6-3 (victim of spouse misconduct)
F-2
F-2-1 through F-2-99 (many categories)
Which should you choose?
F-6is right for you if…
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)
You were a victim of domestic violence or spouse misconduct (F-6-3 protects you from deportation)
F-2is right for you if…
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
You are on an F-2 humanitarian or other subtype as a result of special circumstances
Typical path:
Many people progress from F-6 → F-5 directly (2 years on F-6 + meet cohabitation/income requirements). Others transition from F-6 → F-2 if the marriage situation changes (e.g., divorce with children → F-6-2, or transition to F-2 via points if you have significant Korean work history). F-2-7 (points system) is often the route for professionals who did not come through marriage: they accumulate enough points from income, age, education, language skills, and years of residence to qualify for F-2, then later upgrade to F-5 after 5+ years total lawful stay.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my F-6 visa if I divorce my Korean spouse?
F-6-1 (co-habiting marriage) is reviewed upon divorce. However, you may retain status or transition to F-6-2 if you have children with your Korean ex-spouse and are raising them. If the divorce was caused by the Korean spouse's misconduct (domestic abuse, abandonment, etc.), F-6-3 protects you from losing status. An 행정사 should be consulted immediately upon any relationship change, as overstaying or being on expired status while your case is reviewed can have serious consequences.
Can I get F-2 without ever being on F-6?
Absolutely. F-2 (especially F-2-7 points system) is designed for long-term foreign residents who are not married to Koreans. Common pathways: E-7 skilled worker for several years → accumulate points → F-2-7. D-8 investor → F-2. Humanitarian circumstances → F-2. Some subtypes of F-2 are granted to individuals with specific legal situations (e.g., children of Korean nationals). F-2 does not require a Korean spouse at any point.
Which visa leads to F-5 faster — F-6 or F-2?
F-6 can lead to F-5 faster in ideal circumstances: if you have genuine cohabitation with your Korean spouse for 2 years on F-6 status and meet income/language requirements, you can apply for F-5. The general F-2 → F-5 route requires 5 years of total lawful continuous residence in Korea. However, certain F-2 subtypes have shorter F-5 routes (e.g., investors with significant capital). For marriage migrants, F-6 → F-5 in 2 years is typically the fastest legal route to permanent residency in Korea.
Does F-2 have more stability than F-6?
In terms of resilience to personal life changes — yes. F-2 is granted based on your own qualifications, employment history, residence record, and language skills. It does not depend on your relationship status. F-6, by contrast, can be jeopardised by divorce, separation, or loss of contact with the Korean spouse. For this reason, some long-term F-6 holders who accumulate sufficient points choose to also apply for F-2-7 as a parallel status for added security.
Related Guides
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