Inviting Family (Spouse & Children)
Depending on your status, you can invite your spouse and minor children from home to live with you in Korea. The Dependent Family (F-3) status is a common route: usually the inviter in Korea first obtains a Certificate for Visa Issuance, then the family gets a visa abroad and enters. Whether your visa allows accompaniment, and the income requirements, depend on your status and current policy. Recently, apostille/consular verification of relationship documents and household-size-based financial proof have been tightened.
What to prepare
- Inviter’s passport and ARC
- Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificate — with apostille or consular verification)
- Proof of income/financial capacity (based on household size)
- Proof of residence (housing)
- Integrated application form and fee (for domestic applications)
How to proceed
- 1Check whether your status allows family accompaniment (e.g., F-3) and that you meet income/financial requirements
- 2Prepare relationship and income documents — home-country papers need apostille/consular verification and translation
- 3The inviter in Korea applies for a Certificate for Visa Issuance at immigration (book via Hi Korea)
- 4Once issued, family applies for the visa at a Korean mission abroad
- 5After family arrives, they complete alien registration (if staying over 90 days)
Tips
- ⚠️ Eligible statuses, income/financial criteria, and documents vary greatly by visa/nationality/policy and were recently tightened — confirm with ☎1345 or an administrative agent first.
- Marriage migration (F-6) is different from Dependent (F-3) — if your spouse is Korean or a permanent resident, check separately.
- ⚠️ Home-country documents (marriage/birth certificates) need apostille/consular verification and translation, which takes time — start early.
- Common-law marriage isn’t recognized, and children are usually only eligible while minors (confirm details with immigration).
Key contacts
- Immigration Contact Center ☎1345 (weekdays, multilingual)
- Hi Korea www.hikorea.go.kr (Certificate for Visa Issuance, reservations)
Related guides
This is general information and has no legal force. Residence rules differ by visa, nationality, and situation and change often — always verify with official sources (Immigration Contact Center ☎1345, Hi Korea, an administrative agent).
Last updated: 2026-06-09