What Happens to Your F-6 Visa After Divorce? | F-6-3 & F-6-2 Residency Status — Complete Guide

The F-6 (marriage migrant) visa is a residency status premised on the continuation of the marital relationship. This means that once a divorce is finalized, the legal basis for maintaining this status is, in principle, gone. However, separate residency statuses exist for those who wish to remain in Korea after divorce — specifically, F-6-3 (marital breakdown) and F-6-2 (child rearing).

1. F-6-3 (Marital Breakdown) — If the Divorce Was Due to the Korean Spouse's Fault

If the marriage became impossible to continue due to the death or disappearance of the Korean spouse, or due to abandonment, domestic violence, or marital conflict, residency may be maintained under F-6-3 status. Documents that can be used to establish these circumstances include:

• An abandonment report filed at the time of the Korean spouse's departure

• A medical certificate from a hospital visited due to domestic violence

• A non-prosecution decision from a related criminal case

• A confirmation letter from a certified women's organization

• A confirmation letter from a relative within the fourth degree of kinship of the Korean spouse, or from a neighbor

The period of stay is granted in one-year increments, and an extension must be approved each year.

2. F-6-2 (Child Rearing) — If You Are Raising a Minor Child

If you are raising a minor child born during the marriage to a Korean national, or if you hold visitation rights, you may maintain residency under F-6-2 status — regardless of which party was at fault for the divorce.

This is the most significant difference from F-6-3. While F-6-3 requires proving the Korean spouse's fault, F-6-2 only requires demonstrating who is currently raising the child (or that visitation rights are held). The period of stay is generally granted in one-year increments and may be extended until the child reaches adulthood.

3. What Happens When the Child Turns 18? Converting to F-2-15 (Residence)

If you have resided continuously in Korea for five or more years under F-6 status while raising your child, you may convert to F-2-15 (residence) status after the child reaches adulthood and continue to stay in Korea. Even after the basis of child rearing is no longer applicable, a pathway remains open based on your years of settlement in the country.

To be eligible for conversion, all of the following requirements must be met:

• Continuous residence in Korea for five or more years under F-6-1, F-6-2, or F-6-3 status, and currently holding F-6-2 status at the time of application

• The applicant and child must have established their primary life base in Korea (domestic stay must exceed overseas stay within the past five years)

• Must be living together with the child and actively engaged in child rearing

• Must meet conduct and legal compliance requirements

• Income must be at or above 40% of the median income standard

The application must be submitted between four months before the child turns 19 (the age of adulthood) and the expiration date of the F-6-2 period of stay. After converting to F-2-15, the period of stay is granted for up to five years and may continue to be extended as long as similar requirements are met.

4. F-6-3 vs. F-6-2 vs. F-2-15 — At a Glance

With the K-Foreigner Legal Center by your side, your residency status can be safeguarded throughout the divorce process before any issues arise. Instead of preparing your divorce case and visa procedures separately and losing valuable time, work with attorneys who design everything — from the divorce itself to the stabilization of your residency status — as a single, unified strategy.

A team of attorneys who communicate in your language and specialize in divorce cases will take responsibility for your international divorce from start to finish. A representation service that allows proceedings to move forward without direct contact with your spouse, and cross-border matters handled through AGA, a global network of leading law firms — all available through the K-Foreigner Legal Center in one place.

FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. The divorce was my fault — is there still a way for me to remain in Korea?
A. If you are raising a minor child or hold visitation rights, you may convert to F-6-2 regardless of who was at fault for the divorce.

Q2. What if my F-6 visa expires before the divorce litigation is concluded?
A. You may apply for an extension of your period of stay by presenting evidence that litigation is ongoing along with a plan for the subsequent change of status. Failing to prepare in advance can result in a gap in residency status, so it is essential to manage your divorce timeline and visa expiration date together.

Q3. Is it possible to obtain Korean citizenship while staying under F-6-3 or F-6-2 status?
A. Yes. If certain requirements are met, there is a pathway to apply for naturalization through simplified naturalization. Please consult with an attorney to confirm the specific circumstances and eligibility criteria.