What happens to my visa if I divorce or separate from my spouse as an F-6 marriage immigrant?

Your visa does not end right away if you divorce or separate. But it is hard to extend your current status as it is. Who is at fault for the divorce and whether you are raising a child decide which status you can change to.

Statuses you can move to, by situation

• If you are raising in Korea a minor child you had with your Korean spouse → Marriage Immigrant (F-6-2)
• If your spouse died or went missing, or the divorce is not your fault → Marriage Breakdown (F-6-3). A first change is allowed for 1 year. An extension is usually allowed for up to 2 years.
• If the divorce is your fault and you have no child to raise → Visiting and Living Together (F-1-6). You can get it only if you have a reason you must stay in Korea, such as dividing property or settling your household affairs. The period is short (within 6 months at a time, up to 1 year from the date of change).
• Even if the divorce is your fault, if you are supporting the parents or family of your Korean spouse, you may be granted F-6-3 for up to 1 year after review.

What the review actually looks at

• Whether you lived a normal married life before the divorce
• Who is at fault for the divorce. Immigration checks this with the divorce judgment, lawsuit documents, and evidence that the other person is at fault.
• If needed, immigration carries out a field investigation.

⚠️ If you are only separated

Legally you are still a married couple, so you usually apply for an F-6-1 extension. But you can get this extension only if you are living a normal married life. So being separated can cause a problem in the review. If the reason for the separation is on your spouse's side (violence, leaving home, etc.), be sure to collect evidence such as a medical certificate, police report records, and a statement of facts. What result you get from separation alone depends on your situation, so it is hard to say in advance.

Apply to change your status at the immigration office for your address or on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr). Be sure to apply before your current visa ends. If the fault for the divorce is disputed, the result can differ greatly, so first get a consultation with a K-VISA AI administrative agent (visa service in the app). Check one more time with 1345 for final confirmation.