Korean Job Discussion Forums

[is so delicious]

I am thinking of proposing to my Korean girlfriend. Can someone tell me about the F2 visa? Is that automatic if you marry a Korean citizen? Does it last forever, or does it have to be renewed? Is paperwork required? Etc.

Appreciate any help.

[crossmr]

you need to apply for it
some people are asked to show assets of 30 million won to secure the visa (property, bank accounts or combination)
its good for 1 or 2 years, usually 2 unless something makes them question the sincerity of the relationship.
After 2 years you can try to upgrade to an F5, most people report it seems to be easier if you've had kids by that point. or you can just renew the F2.
You'll need to make sure you're registered at the same residence.

[Scouse Mouse]

Visit your local Immi office and get a list of the documents they want to see (they often have different requirements for the investigation). Documents can include testimony from your spouses friends/family amongst other things (I had to provide these).

There does need to be a 30m "asset", but your employment contract usually counts towards it, as does key money on an apartment. The assets can be in your spouses name.

You want an F-2-1 as that gives work permission.

It is NOT automatic unless you have kids (and the kids must be 3 months old for the automatic F-2). They are rarely refused, but they will decline the application if they doubt the sincerity of the marriage. The decision usually takes 2 weeks. My wife was heavily pregnant by the time I got around to applying. The Immi official just laughed and asked me if I wanted a new ARC card to go with my new visa. Instant decision.

The first F-2-1 is good for 1 year. After that you can renew it. I only got 1 year on my first renewal, but I had a new Immi officer (new to the job) and she was clueless. Nice, but clueless. Most people get 2 years for their 2nd.

After you have had the F-2-1 for 2 full years, you can apply for the F-5. That is permanent and can never be taken away. The investigation for this visa takes a few months and they hang on to your passport for the duration.

Hope this helps

[is so delicious]

This helps a lot. Thanks, guys. Does it matter if the marriage certificate or whatever is from Korea or the USA??

[Scouse Mouse]

If you are married in Korea, then it is simple. If you were married outside of Korea you may need to apply from your home country. You may want to call Immi and check that one.

[b-class rambler]

[dannylelievre]

I did it back in March. If you are American, make sure you do the American marriage first at the embassy in Jognro. Then you can do the Korean paperwork at the Korean registry across the street. You cannot be married in Korea before being legalized in America. Once you have marriage papers you have to go to your immigration office, either in Mokdong or up north, and file for the F-2-1. Only takes about a week if everything is in line. I was required to show proof of a job and show my housing contract.

[Ruraljuror]

[crossmr]

[Ruraljuror]

[Scouse Mouse]

There needs to be proof of family income (not necessarily proof that you have a job), as it needs to be shown that the family can support itself. If your wife has a job, it's all good. Saying that you have no job could let them issue you an F-2 though, and that is bad as it does not give you permission to work. What you want is an F-2-1

The lease is important as it shows you have a home. If you live in school provided housing, it can cause problems.

The 30m could be made up with your lease, or your contract, but I have a feeling that it has recently been dropped. The Govt. are removing the financial requirements for naturalisation of spouses, and as the F-2 comes before naturalisation, it stands to reason that it would be removed from the list.

[DHC]

My wife and I married outside Korea and we did not register the marriage until we returned to Korea. My wife registered the marriage in her family registration book. She needed to provide a certified copy (apostilled today) of the marriage document and a translation of the document into Korean from a Korean notary. Simple process that took about five minutes to complete.

[b-class rambler]

[bassexpander]

[crossmr]