Does Marrying a Korean Give Citizenship?
Does marrying a korean give citizenship
Marrying a Korean is a common practice for foreigners who want to become a citizen of Korea. This is because South Korea is one of the most developed countries in Asia and offers a high standard of living, great social security systems, and a stable economy.
If you are married to a Korean, you can apply for Korean citizenship under the simplified naturalization procedure. This process involves a series of legal requirements and can take a significant amount of time.
In addition, acquiring a Korean passport requires you to fulfill certain obligations and restrictions. In particular, you must renounce your citizenship in the country that issued it and make a declaration not to exercise your foreign citizenship while in Korea.
You must also abide by the law of your home country and keep a valid residence card (such as an F-1 visa) while in Korea. You must report changes in your personal information, such as name, sex, date of birth, nationality, and passport number, to the Immigration Office within 14 days of the change.
The process for obtaining a South Korean citizenship by marriage is not complicated and the probability of getting it is quite high. However, it is recommended that you seek the help of an experienced lawyer if you are considering pursuing this route.
Moreover, it is important to note that the minimum age of marriage is 18 years. Minors must receive consent from their parents before they can get married.
There are many ways for foreigners to obtain a South Korean passport, including through investment and by marriage. The latter option is the most popular and quickest method.
In order to qualify for this, you must invest 100 million Korean won into a business in the country. This can be done through a government fund or development project, and it can lead to permanent residency.
For those who do not qualify for this, they can apply for a South Korean passport through a family or mutual-relationship sponsorship. You must be married to a Korean and meet certain criteria, such as being born in the country or having a child who is born in the country.
The application must be filed at the Ministry of Justice and a fee will be required. This will vary by location and is not fixed in advance.
You will need to provide documents such as a passport, birth certificate, and an Affidavit of Eligibility for Marriage. These are issued by the consulate of your home country and notarized by an authorized officer.
According to article 6 (2.1) and 6 (2.2) of the Korean Nationality Act, anyone who is married to a Korean and stays in Korea as a legal resident for at least two years before applying for citizenship can do so. Once a person has met these requirements, they can apply for naturalization through the concerned administrative agency.
There are also exceptions for non-Korean spouses of citizens who live in Korea. These spouses can acquire a South Korean citizenship by marriage as long as they are a member of a multicultural family and meet the requirements for citizenship set forth in the Nationality Act.
