The F-6-1 income requirement may be exempted if the couple has a child born between them, if after marriage they lived together abroad for 1 year or more so the inviting spouse could have no Korean income over the past year, if the foreign spouse previously stayed in Korea under F-6 (excluding cases where the spouse changed or the marriage was interrupted), or if the Minister of Justice specially recognizes it. For exempt cases you do not submit income documents; you submit proof of the exemption ground.
Key Summary
- Possible exemptions: child born to the couple / 1+ year living abroad after marriage with no Korean income in the past year / foreign spouse's past F-6 stay
- De facto marriage periods are not counted as "after marriage" for the overseas cohabitation ground
- Exempt cases submit proof of the ground instead of income documents
- Child ground: the child's family relation certificate (birth certificate if born before the marriage and before nationality acquisition)
1. What is the income exemption?
Even if the inviting spouse's income falls short, the requirement can be waived on humanitarian grounds. If you qualify, you do not need to submit income-related documents.
2. When is it exempt?
- A child was born between the inviting and invited spouse
- After marriage (de facto marriage excluded) they lived together abroad for 1 year or more, so the past year's Korean income could not arise
- The foreign spouse previously stayed in Korea under F-6 status (long or short term)
- Other cases the Minister of Justice specially recognizes
3. How do I prove the exemption?
- Child ground: the child's family relation certificate (birth certificate if born before the marriage and before nationality acquisition)
- Overseas cohabitation ground: documents proving living together
- Even for exempt cases, submit material proving the ground
4. Is a past F-6 stay always an exemption?
No. It is excluded if the spouse changed, or if the marriage was interrupted even with the same spouse.
5. Cautions for the overseas cohabitation ground
You must have lived together abroad for 1 year or more after marriage, excluding de facto marriage periods, and it must be clear that this is why no Korean income arose in the past year. Judged as of the visa application date, so organize entry/exit records, leases and residence documents in time order.
6. How does exemption differ from submitting income documents?
Exempt cases skip income documents such as the income certificate and credit report, and submit the ground's proof. Non-exempt cases must prove meeting the yearly income threshold with income documents; check the Ministry of Justice notice for the threshold.
7. How Vision Administrative Office can help
We review whether an exemption ground applies and organize the proof list and submission order. We do not handle litigation or court representation (outside the scope of an administrative scrivener).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the income requirement waived if we have a baby?
A child born between the couple is an exemption ground. Prove it with the child's family relation certificate or similar.
Is living abroad for over a year together an exemption?
If after marriage (de facto marriage excluded) you lived together abroad 1+ year so Korean income for the past year could not arise, it is a ground. Cohabitation proof is needed.
I previously held F-6 with a different spouse.
If the spouse changed, the past F-6 stay exemption does not apply.
If exempt, do I submit nothing?
You skip income documents but must submit proof of the exemption ground.
What if no ground applies?
Prove the threshold with income documents, or consider supplementing with assets or household members' income if income falls short.
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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 · Contact: https://f6visa.com/en/contact