What help can foreigners who are victims of domestic violence get?

Foreigners who are victims of domestic violence can keep staying in Korea until legal remedy procedures, such as an investigation or a trial, are finished. Even after the procedures end, you can get your stay extended further if you need it to recover from the harm.

Who is protected

• The spouse of a Korean citizen (marriage immigrant) whose trial, investigation, or similar procedure is in progress because of domestic violence
• Foreigners whose trial, investigation, or similar procedure is in progress because of a sexual violence crime
• Foreign children who suffered child abuse, and their guardians (the abuser is excluded)
• Foreigners whose trial, investigation, or similar procedure is in progress because they were victims of human trafficking

You can apply for an extension under this system even if your spouse does not cooperate with the identity guarantee or with preparing extension documents. However, immigration decides whether to approve it after reviewing your case.

Documents to prepare when applying for an extension

• Basic documents (application form, passport, Alien Registration Card, fee)
• Documents proving family relationship: documents showing your relationship with your Korean spouse
• Documents proving legal remedy: documents showing that a procedure is in progress, such as a complaint receipt, a case progress certificate, or lawsuit documents
• Any other documents that immigration asks for in order to review your case

How to proceed

1. If you are in danger now, call 112 first. The report record and a medical certificate can become evidence later.
2. Start a police complaint or court procedure, and keep the receipt or the case number.
3. Before your period of stay ends, apply for an extension at the immigration office in charge of your address (출입국) or on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr). The fee is 30,000 KRW for marriage immigration (F-6) and usually 60,000 KRW for other statuses.
4. If you still need treatment or recovery after the procedures end, you can submit documents showing the reason and apply for another extension.

⚠️ Things to watch out for

Things get complicated if your period of stay has already passed, if you left home and your address changed, or if a divorce is also in progress. In these cases, get K-VISA AI administrative agent consultation in the app's visa service. If you moved, you must report your change of residence within 15 days from the day you moved to the new address (free).

Check once more with HiKorea or the Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center (외국인종합안내센터) at 1345 to be sure.