From April 2023 onwards, F6 marriage visa applicants are obligated to submit criminal record certificates and health certificates

For those applying for the F6 marriage visa from the 7 countries (China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia, Uzbekistan), it was previously mandatory to submit criminal record certificates and health diagnosis certificates. However, starting from April 13, 2023, this requirement has been changed to mandatory submission for all countries, regardless of the specific 7 countries.

Let's examine the four essential requirements for obtaining an F6 marriage visa (F6 visa).

F-6 Income Requirement

The income requirement is based on the income generated in Korea in the past year as of the application date. The income standard varies depending on the number of direct family members (excluding siblings) living with the Korean spouse. For a two-person household in 2022, the standard is 19,560,510 KRW (based on the Income Amount Certificate issued by the National Tax Service).

Different documents are required depending on the type of income (employment income, business income, rental income, interest income, dividend income, etc.). If the income requirement is not met, assets such as deposits, insurance, bonds, etc., can be used to demonstrate financial capability. However, visa issuance becomes significantly more challenging if the income requirement is not met.

F-6 Communication Requirement

- Achieving Level 1 or higher in the TOPIK Korean Proficiency Test

- Completion of Level 2 or higher in the Social Integration Program

- Completion certificate from Sejong Hakdang

- Degree related to Korean language

- Completion of Korean language education at a designated institution

- Previous residence in Korea for more than a year

If the inviting Korean spouse has continuously resided for more than a year in a country where the foreign spouse's language is the native language, or both have continuously resided for more than a year in a country where that language is the official language, these documents can also satisfy the communication requirement. In other words, various methods such as Korean, the foreign spouse's language, or a third language can be used for proof. If the foreign spouse is pregnant for more than 20 weeks or has a child, or if the foreign spouse has previously resided in Korea under a marriage immigration status, the communication requirement is waived.

Housing Requirement

For homeowners, a copy of the property registration, and for renters, a copy of the property registration and the lease agreement are required. The house can be in the name of the individual, direct family members/siblings, etc. Third-party ownership is generally not recognized, except in cases like company-provided housing which are socially acceptable. Places like goshiwons, motels, or vinyl houses are generally not considered suitable for continuous residence by a couple.

Genuineness of Marriage

Evidence of the relationship with the spouse, such as SNS photos, dating photos, wedding photos, home photos, call records, etc., must be provided. If the couple met through a marriage agency or an acquaintance, a copy of the agency's registration certificate or the introducer's ID card is required. If the genuineness of the marriage is not sufficiently demonstrated, an unannounced investigation may be conducted, leading to visa denial or prolonged processing time.

Let's take a look at the changes regarding the submission of criminal record certificates and health diagnosis certificates for F6 marriage visa applicants.

Changes in the Submission of Criminal Record Certificates and Health Examination Certificates

Previously, the submission of criminal record certificates and health examination certificates was mandatory for nationals of seven countries. This meant that foreign spouses from these seven countries had to submit a criminal record certificate issued in their home country and a health examination certificate issued by a medical institution designated by the Ministry of Justice in Korea or a hospital designated by the Korean embassy in their home country. Korean spouses also had to submit a health examination certificate issued by a medical institution designated by the Ministry of Justice.

However, as of April 13, 2023, this requirement has been extended to all nationalities, regardless of their country of origin.

◆ Summary of Important Points Regarding Criminal Record Certificates and Health Examination Certificates ◆

• Before the change → Mandatory for nationals of 7 countries (China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia, Uzbekistan)

• After the change → All countries, effective from April 13, 2023

※ Both foreign and Korean spouses must submit / Korean spouses only need to submit a health examination certificate​​

◆ Criminal Record Certificate ◆

It is an official document issued by an authorized institution in the country of nationality or residence, certifying the criminal record of the marriage parties.

-It must be submitted after receiving authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Apostille or consular verification from the Republic of Korea.

◆ Health Examination Certificate ◆

-Both Korean and foreign spouses must obtain this certificate.

-It is issued by hospital-grade medical institutions, institutions conducting physical examinations as per the "Regulations on Physical Examination for Public Officials" Article 3, or health centers under the "Local Health Act" Article 10. The health examination certificate must include information about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illnesses that may hinder normal marital life, etc.

You can refer to the list of medical institutions designated by the Ministry of Justice for issuing health examination certificates.

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When applying for the F6 marriage visa, submission of a criminal record certificate and a health diagnosis certificate is exempted under the following circumstances

(Amended Regulation: Effective from April 13, 2023)

Criminal record certificates and health diagnosis certificates of foreign spouses must be obtained locally and must undergo consular verification at the local Korean Embassy or apostille after authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which can be time-consuming. Additionally, if both spouses are in Korea, the preparation process can be challenging.

Below are the cases where the submission of criminal record certificates and health diagnosis certificates is exempted

1) If the Korean spouse has resided in the foreign spouse's home country for more than 6 months or has continuously stayed in a third country for purposes such as studying or working on a long-term visa, and can provide evidence of the relationship with the partner.

2) If the foreign spouse has legally resided in South Korea for more than 91 days under a long-term stay visa and can provide evidence of the relationship with the partner.

3) In cases where there are humanitarian considerations such as pregnancy or childbirth.

※ The submission exemption criteria remain unchanged. In other words, even if the previous 7 countries were applicable, if the above three conditions are met, the submission exemption applies, and this remains the same in the amended regulations.

In the case of F6 marriage visa application, if the Korean spouse is required to submit a criminal record certificate

1.When the Korean spouse falls under the application scope of Article 10-2 (Provision of Personal Information) of the Marriage Brokerage Management Law

※ in simple terms, if the marriage is not facilitated through a marriage brokerage service, the Korean spouse is not required to submit a criminal record certificate.

2.When the Korean spouse falls under the scope of Article 6, Paragraph 1, Item 10 of the Law on the Limitation of Actions and Others

in summary

For applications made after April 13, 2023

1. Regardless of the nationality of the foreign spouse, criminal record certificates and health diagnosis certificates must be submitted for all countries.

2. The Korean spouse must also submit a health diagnosis certificate.

3. If the exception clauses apply, document submission is exempted."