What are the requirements for inviting a spouse on a marriage immigrant (F-6) visa?

For an F-6 invitation, the Korean spouse (the inviter) must meet the income, Korean language, housing, and proof-of-relationship requirements. Both spouses also need a health certificate and a criminal record certificate. The exact income amount and Korean language standard change every year, so I list where to check them below.

Requirements checklist

• Income requirement — The inviter writes income and assets on the 'Invitation Letter for Foreign Spouse' and proves them with an NTS income certificate, a real estate registry copy, a bank balance certificate, a certificate of employment, a bankbook copy, and so on.
• Korean language requirement — Submit documents that prove the foreign spouse's Korean ability (see the Korean language requirement section of the manual for details).
• Housing requirement — If you own the home, submit the registry copy. If you rent, submit the registry copy and 1 copy of the lease contract.
• Proof of relationship — Submit documents that show how you met (a statement of how you met, photos, entry and exit records, etc.). The document on how you were introduced is waived if the couple has a child.
• Letter of guarantee and invitation letter — The Korean spouse writes these in Korean (Hangul). The foreign spouse writes the Marriage Background Statement in English.
• Health certificate and criminal record certificate — Both spouses submit them. They are waived if you are exempt from the International Marriage Guidance Program.
• Inviter documents — The Korean spouse needs a basic certificate, a marriage relation certificate, and a family relation certificate (all in the 'detailed' version, issued within 3 months), plus the original resident registration copy.

💡 Good to know

• If you invite a citizen of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, or Thailand, you must complete the International Marriage Guidance Program.
• You are exempt in any of these cases.
• You dated while staying 6 months or more on a long-term visa in the other country or a third country
• You dated while staying legally in Korea for 91 days or more
• There is a humanitarian reason, such as pregnancy or childbirth
• The income requirement can also be waived for humanitarian reasons, such as when you have a child.
• Some countries need extra documents. For example, citizens of the Philippines may need a CFO education completion certificate.

Check the latest income amount and Korean language standard at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).