Bringing Family Members to Korea
Find the right family visa for your status, gather proof of your relationship, and avoid applying through the wrong route.
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- Start with
- Your Korean status and each family member's relationship
- Typical dependent route
- F-3: eligible foreign residents' spouses and minor children
- Other families
- F-1, F-2 or F-6 may apply; no universal family visa
- After arrival
- Registration Card generally within 90 days for long stays
To bring a spouse, child or parent to live with you in South Korea, begin with your own immigration status. A marriage certificate or invitation alone does not grant a relative the right to stay. The application route depends on the sponsor, the family relationship and the consulate handling the application.
Plan the move in five steps
Find the correct family visa
F-3 (Dependent Family): commonly for a spouse or unmarried minor child of a qualifying D- or E-status holder, such as a D-2 student or E-7 professional. The 2026 embassy eligibility list gives the eligible sponsor codes; not every work or study visa qualifies.
- F-4 overseas Korean: a spouse or minor child who cannot qualify for F-4 independently may use F-1-9. Embassy family-category lists vary; confirm the applicable route.
- F-5 permanent resident: a spouse or minor child may qualify for F-2 residence, subject to its own conditions.
- Married to a Korean citizen: investigate F-6 marriage immigration, which has separate marriage, housing, income and relationship checks.
Parents and adult children are not routine F-3 dependents. They need a separately qualifying route. Ordinary E-9 employment status does not sponsor F-3.
Check the application office before paying
Find the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your family member's country of residence. Read its page for the exact visa category, nationality requirements, appointment method and fees. Some cases use a visa issuance confirmation arranged by the sponsor in Korea; others apply directly at the consulate. Do not assume a tourist entry can be converted into family residence.
For a status that is unusual or changing, ask immigration on 1345: βI hold [status]. Can my [relationship] obtain a long-term family visa, and must they apply abroad?β
Prepare proof for both people
The applicant usually needs a passport, visa application, photograph and marriage or birth certificate. The sponsor normally supplies their passport, Korean Residence Card or visa details, plus proof of employment or study. Names and dates must match across documents.
Check the consulate's current F-3 checklist for required translations, apostilles or consular authentication. Some countries require health or tuberculosis certificates and additional documents. Do not order every possible certificate before checking the consulate that will accept the application.
Prove housing and financial support
Since May 2025, ordinary F-3 applications have required evidence of suitable housing; since July 2025, proof of the sponsor's finances is also required, with specific exceptions for E-1, E-3, E-4 and E-5 sponsors. The 2026 Ministry of Justice changes explained by the Korean Embassy list lease agreements, ownership records or employer housing confirmation, plus tax-income records or other accepted evidence.
E-7-4 skilled-worker sponsors: since April 17, 2026, an additional Korean-proficiency document is required: TOPIK Level 2, KIIP Level 2 completion, or placement into KIIP Level 3 or above. This is not a blanket requirement for every E-7 holder. Other visas, especially F-6, have different financial and language rules.
Submit, wait for approval and register
Submit the completed application through the designated consulate or authorized route, pay its stated fee, and keep the receipt. A consulate may request further documents or an interview; processing times vary. Check the issued decision and visa grant notice through the Korea Visa Portal. Do not buy nonrefundable tickets based only on an invitation.
After entry on a qualifying long-term visa, the family member generally must apply for a Residence Card within 90 days. Their stay remains subject to its own expiry and status conditions. F-3 does not itself authorize employment; ask immigration before taking paid work.
When the standard route does not fit
Bringing a parent or an adult child?
Do not submit F-3 merely because you are related. Certain F-1 or F-2 cases may exist, but require their own eligibility checks and supporting evidence.
Using a regional skilled-worker or residence scheme?
Special statuses such as E-7-4R or F-2-R can have different entry and change-of-status procedures; see this 2026 embassy notice. Do not apply the ordinary F-3 instructions automatically.
Your family member is already visiting Korea?
A short-term visit is not long-term residence. Check immigration's permitted in-country routes before any change application; do not overstay while waiting for a decision.