A father or mother who stays in Korea on a status other than Marriage Migrant (F-6) and raises in Korea a minor child born of a marriage (including a de facto marriage) with a Korean national can apply to change status to Child-Rearing (F-6-2). The change is granted for 1 year, and the required documents center on proof of parentage and actual child-rearing.
Key Summary
- Eligible: a father or mother staying on a status other than F-6 who raises in Korea a minor child born of a marriage (including a de facto marriage) with a Korean national
- Grant: 1 year
- Key documents: proof of parentage (birth certificate, DNA test confirmation) and proof of child-rearing (custody-related judgment, resident registration copy listing the child, confirmations from relatives or the neighborhood head, etc.)
- If the marriage ended by divorce, death, disappearance, etc., documents proving the reason are added
- The criminal record certificate and health certificate are waived if already submitted and you have not stayed abroad for 6 months or more in a row
1. What is the Child-Rearing (F-6-2) status?
Among the Marriage Migrant (F-6) sub-codes, F-6-2 is for a father or mother who raises, or intends to raise, in Korea a minor child born of a marriage (including a de facto marriage) with a Korean national after the marriage ended. The maximum stay that can be granted at one time under F-6 is 3 years.
2. Who can apply for the change of status?
A foreign national staying on a status other than Marriage Migrant (F-6) who is the father or mother raising in Korea a minor child born of a marriage (including a de facto marriage) with a Korean national. For example, if you stay on another status and personally raise the child you had with a Korean partner after the relationship ended, this procedure may apply.
3. Does a child born in a de facto marriage count?
It can, because the requirement includes a de facto marriage. However, a de facto marriage exists only where there is a subjective intention to marry and, objectively, a substance of shared married life that society would recognize in terms of family order. Simple cohabitation without an intention to marry, or a bigamous de facto relationship that the law cannot protect, is not regarded as a de facto marriage.
4. Which documents are submitted?
- Application form, passport, alien registration card (if any), 1 standard photo, fee
- If the child is a Korean national: the child’s basic certificate and family relation certificate
- Proof of family (parent-child) relationship: birth certificate, DNA test confirmation
- Proof of child-rearing: judgment, etc. (custody-related), resident registration copy listing the child, confirmation from a Korean relative of the child within the 5th degree (father or mother) or from the head of the neighborhood unit, etc.
- For a person whose marriage ended (divorce, death, disappearance, etc.): documents proving the reason (only where applicable)
- Criminal record certificate and health certificate (waived for those who already submitted them and have not stayed abroad for 6 months or more in a row)
- Other documents considered necessary for screening
5. How long is the stay once granted?
The change of status is granted for 1 year. Later extensions as Child-Rearing (F-6-2) are granted within a range of 3 years, and at extension you submit documents proving that you continue to raise the child, such as tuition receipts or the child’s hospital bills.
6. Common problems
- A birth certificate shows parentage, but there is little evidence of actual child-rearing
- A de facto marriage is claimed, but nothing shows the substance of shared married life
- You believed the criminal record certificate was already submitted, but you have since stayed abroad for 6 months or more in a row and must prepare it again
- Documents proving the divorce, death or disappearance are left out
7. How 비전행정사사무소 (Vision Administrative Office) can help
We check your current status and child-rearing situation to see whether the F-6-2 change applies, and guide the composition of parentage and child-rearing evidence and the application and filing. We do not represent clients in family court custody or parental-authority matters or other lawsuits or court proceedings (outside the scope of an administrative agent).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change to F-6-2 even if my status is not F-6-1?
If you stay on a status other than Marriage Migrant (F-6) and raise in Korea a minor child born of a marriage (including a de facto marriage) with a Korean national, you are eligible to apply for the change.
How is parentage proven?
With a birth certificate or DNA test confirmation. If the child is a Korean national, the child’s basic certificate and family relation certificate are also submitted.
How do I show that I am raising the child?
With a custody-related judgment, a resident registration copy listing the child, or confirmations from a Korean relative of the child within the 5th degree or from the head of the neighborhood unit, etc.
Must I submit the criminal record and health certificates again?
They are waived if you already submitted them and have not stayed abroad for 6 months or more in a row.
How long is the change granted for?
1 year. Later F-6-2 extensions are granted within a range of 3 years.
Related Guides
Consultation
비전행정사사무소 (Vision Administrative Office) is an administrative office that supports document preparation and filing with the authorities. Fees vary by case and are explained during a consultation. Phone 02-363-2251