Can I change from F-6 (Marriage Immigrant) to another status of stay?

Yes, you can. The most common way is to change to Permanent Resident (F-5). However, when your marital status changes, many people extend F-6 instead of changing to another status.

Main ways to change

• Permanent Resident (F-5): If you have stayed in Korea for 2 years or more with the Marriage Immigrant (F-6) status, you can apply to change to Permanent Resident (F-5)³. You must also meet the common requirements for permanent residence: good conduct, ability to support yourself, and basic knowledge (basic knowledge of Korean language and society)⁴.
• F-1 (Marriage Immigrant whose marriage has ended): This is for people whose marriage has ended but who do not qualify for F-6 (person whose marriage ended). If you must stay in Korea for reasons such as division of property or settling family affairs, you can change to F-1⁴.
• Naturalization (acquiring Korean nationality): This is not a change of status of stay. If you have kept your address in Korea continuously for 2 years or more while married, you can obtain nationality through the naturalization process³.
• Work or study statuses (E-7, etc.): In general, if you meet the requirements of that status, your application can be considered. But F-6 has no work restrictions, so there is little need to change. The specific criteria for this route need to be checked.

Cases of 'extension', not a change of status

• You were staying under F-6-1 and your marriage ended for a reason that is not your fault, such as your spouse's death or disappearance → you are eligible for an extension of stay¹.
• You divorced and then remarried another Korean → you are eligible for an extension, but the review is done like a status change¹.
• You are in divorce proceedings → you extend your current status until the lawsuit ends, without changing to F-1 or G-1².

⚠️ Please note

Approval is not guaranteed, and each person is reviewed individually. If your situation is complicated, such as divorce, extension denial, or a departure order, please get a consultation with the K-VISA AI Administrative Agent (행정사) (the app's visa service). For final confirmation, please check HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Information Center (외국인종합안내센터) (1345).