success-stories-english

■ D-2 Student → E-7 Professional Employment (Pakistan)

Bachelor’s degree in Korea → E-7 visa approval

Key Points

Clear major–job match
Employment contract met requirements
Company eligibility checked
Approved without additional requests

■ D-2 Student → F-2 Points-Based Visa (China / 80 pts)

Master’s degree in Korea → F-2 visa approval

Key Points

High points from academic background
All supporting documents organized
Clean immigration record
Approved with total 80 points

1. International Marriage & F-6 Visa — Cambodian Spouse

■ Overview

A Korean national married a Cambodian woman,
and requested ACE Administrative Office to handle the entire process:
marriage registration → F-6 visa → family invitation → future permanent residency.

■ Process Summary

1) Marriage Registration in Both Countries

Marriage registered in Korea & Cambodia
Verification completed → F-6 visa preparation begins

2) F-6 Marriage Visa Issuance

Apply for F-6 after marriage registration
Spouse enters Korea with F-6 visa

3) Inviting Parents (F-1 Visa) After Childbirth

If the couple has a child after ~1 year
→ Spouse’s parents can be invited with F-1 visa (visiting & living)

4) If the Spouse Has a Child From Previous Marriage

Minor child from previous marriage
→ Enter Korea with C-3 short-term visa
→ Convert to F-1 visa + adoption process possible

5) Eligible for Permanent Residency or Naturalization After 2 Years

Stable marriage + income requirements + clean record
→ Apply for F-5 Permanent Residency or Korean citizenship

■ Key Summary

International marriage with Cambodian spouse
F-6 visa approval after bilateral marriage registration
Parents can be invited (F-1) after childbirth
Stepchild: C-3 entry → F-1 conversion
Eligible for F-5 or naturalization after 2 years
Full procedure handled by ACE

1. Filipino E-9 Worker “Kelly”

Company Bankruptcy → Workplace Change Approval

■ Case Overview

“Kelly,” a Filipino E-9 worker,
needed to change workplaces because her previous company went bankrupt.
She applied through the electronic civil service system with ACE’s support
and was successfully approved.

■ Purpose of Workplace Change

After receiving approval from the Employment Center
Must apply to Immigration for workplace change to continue employment
If visiting in person is difficult → Electronic application available

■ Required Documents

For in-person

Passport / ARC
Application form
Employment permit & contract
Proof of residence

For online application

Employment permit (PDF)
Employment contract (scan)
Residence proof uploaded

■ Fee

0,000 KRW
Non-refundable after processing

■ Process (Mobile Summary)

Apply → Review → Payment → Submission → Result → Notification

■ Processing Time

Online: 09:00–22:00 (same-day processing)
In-person: immigration office hours

■ Result

Bankruptcy reason fully accepted
Online application approved smoothly
Worker could start at the new company immediately

■ Key Approval Factors

Bankruptcy justified workplace change
Employment Center approval
Complete documentation
Correct procedures followed

Bangladesh – Raman

E-9 → E-7 Status Change (Electronic Application)

■ Overview

Raman from Bangladesh, holding an E-9 visa,
met the requirements for E-7 skilled worker status
and applied through the electronic system with ACE’s support.
The application was successfully approved.

■ Eligibility (E-7-4 / E-7-4R)

Must hold a valid Alien Registration
Changing to a different type of work
Skilled points or special criteria met
Electronic application possible without visit

■ Required Documents

Basic documents

Application form
Passport & ARC
Employment permit
Category-specific supporting documents

Notes

Some E-7 special cases require 6+ months stay abroad
Special categories include: 60+, minors, public officials’ families
Immigration may request additional documents

■ Fee

00,000 KRW

■ Process (Mobile Summary)

Apply → Review → Payment → Immigration review → Result

■ Processing Time

Around 1 month

■ Result

E-9 → E-7 approved
Entire process completed through electronic application
Worker can begin E-7 activities immediately

■ Key Approval Factors

Met E-7 qualification standards
Clear documentation
Proper online procedure
Clean immigration record

Vietnam (E-9) – Ung Inh Ling

Expired Passport → New Passport Issued → Passport Info Update Approved

■ Overview

Ung Inh Ling, an E-9 worker from Vietnam,
received a new passport after her previous one expired.
She submitted a passport information change request
through the online immigration system and it was approved quickly.

■ Required Documents

In-person

Application form
ARC (Alien Registration Card)
Old passport + new passport

Online

Image of the bio page of the new passport

■ Fee

Free

■ Process (Mobile Summary)

In-person

Reservation → Visit → Apply → Immediate processing

Online

Apply → Review → Result (Check via “My Page → e-Services Status”)

■ Hours

In-person: Based on reservation time
Online: 07:00–22:00 (No weekends/holidays)

■ Processing Time

In-person: Immediate
Online: Within 3 days

■ Result

Passport information updated successfully
No effect on stay status
No immigration issues

■ Key Approval Factors

Clear basis: passport expiration
Complete document upload
Proper electronic submission

Vietnam (F-6) – Nguyên Ngô

Job Change Approval: Sewing Factory → Cosmetics Manufacturer

■ Overview

Nguyên Ngô, an F-6 (Spouse of Korean National) visa holder,
needed to report her job change
from a sewing factory to a cosmetics manufacturing company.
Her job change report was approved without issues.

■ Required Documents

In-person

Application form
ARC
Passport

Online

Bio-page image of passport

■ Fee

Free

■ Process (Mobile Summary)

In-person

Reservation → Visit → Submit job change report → Immediate processing

Online

Apply → Review → Result via “My Page”

■ Hours

In-person: Based on reservation
Online: 07:00–22:00 (Except weekends & holidays)

■ Processing Time

In-person: Immediate
Online: Within 3 business days

■ Result

Job change approved
F-6 visa remains valid
Workplace updated successfully

■ Key Approval Factors

F-6 allows flexible job changes
Clear reason for workplace change
Complete documents

Simplified Naturalization

Vietnamese Spouse “Phong Su Ying” – Naturalization Approved

■ Overview

Ms. Phong Su Ying, a Vietnamese spouse of a Korean national,
applied for Simplified Naturalization (Marriage-based Naturalization)
and was approved after meeting all legal requirements
including marriage duration, residence period, and financial capability.

■ Requirements Met

Legitimate marriage continuously maintained
More than 2 years of residence with foreigner registration
Over 3 years of marriage & over 1 year of residence after foreigner registration
Financial ability proven
- At least 30 million KRW in combined assets
Submission of required documents to the Immigration Office

■ Result

Simplified Naturalization approved
Korean nationality granted
F-6 visa → Korean citizenship
All immigration issues resolved

■ Key Approval Factors

All legal duration requirements met
Sufficient financial proof
Complete documentation
Stable marital relationship

Permanent Residency (F-5)

Vietnamese Spouse “Ng Anh” – F-5 Granted

■ Overview

Ms. Ng Anh, a Vietnamese spouse of a Korean national (F-6),
applied for F-5 Permanent Residency after meeting
all requirements such as residence period, marital stability,
and financial eligibility.
Her application was successfully approved.

■ Requirements Met

More than 2 years of residence in Korea
Stable marriage maintained (2+ years of residence as a married couple)
Household income meets or exceeds Korea’s GNI standard
- Exemption: Applicants with minor Korean children
- GNI 80% relaxation possible (pregnancy, childcare, supporting in-laws, etc.)
Proof of financial capability
Filed at the Immigration Office

■ Result

F-5 Permanent Residency approved
Long-term stay stability secured
Greater freedom in work & residence
Improved family stability

■ Key Approval Factors

Stable and continuous marital relationship
Sufficient income and eligibility
Accurate and complete documents
Strong residency history in Korea

Nationality Acquisition for an Out-of-Wedlock Child

(Korean Father + Cambodian Mother)

■ Overview

Mr. Kim Sang-yeong had a child born with a Cambodian woman.
He proceeded with the Korean nationality acquisition process for the child,
and the application was successfully approved.

■ Procedure (Step-by-Step)

Birth Registration at the mother’s country consulate
Child’s passport issuance (Cambodia)
Paternity recognition at Korean Community Center
Nationality acquisition application at the Ministry of Justice
Korean nationality granted

■ Outcome

Child officially acquired Korean nationality
All steps processed without issue
Stable foundation secured for residence, education, and healthcare

■ Key Approval Factors

Proper paternity acknowledgment
Consistent birth & passport documents
Complete identity documentation
Correct order of procedures

Nationality Acquisition for an Out-of-Wedlock Child

(Korean Mother + Filipino Father)

■ Overview

Ms. Lee Young-sook gave birth to an out-of-wedlock child
with a Filipino man named “Ang Si Eng.”
She completed the Korean nationality acquisition process
for her child, and it was approved without issues.

■ Procedure (Step-by-Step)

Birth of the child
Birth registration at the local community center
- Korean mother can register alone
- Under post–June 14, 1998 dual-lineage nationality law,
  the child obtains Korean nationality through the mother
Korean nationality granted

■ Outcome

Child automatically obtained Korean nationality
Simple and quick process
Ensures stable residency, education, and welfare access

■ Key Approval Factors

Dual-lineage nationality rule applied (after 1998.06.14)
Korean mother’s nationality sufficient for registration
Minimal documentation needed

F-4 (Overseas Korean) → F-5 Permanent Residency

Mr. Kim Junghong – F-5 Approval

■ Overview

Mr. Kim Junghong, an F-4 visa holder (ethnic Korean from China),
successfully obtained F-5 Permanent Residency
after meeting residence, income, and background check requirements.

■ Requirements Met

1. More than 2 years of stay in Korea

2. Income ≥ Korea’s GNI standard

Applicant’s own income
Or spouse’s income
Or combined household income
Applicants raising minor children can apply even without personal income

3. Clean criminal and identity record

No criminal history
Valid Chinese ID / Hukou verified

■ Result

F-5 Permanent Residency granted
Greater freedom in employment & residence
Long-term stability secured

■ Key Approval Factors

Stable residence record
Sufficient income (individual or household)
Clean background checks
Complete documentation

Relief for Overstaying Spouse

(Pregnancy, Childbirth, Childcare / F-6-1)

■ Case Overview

Mr. Lee Youngmin (Korean) and his Filipino partner “Ping-i”
applied for overstay relief during pregnancy.

■ Key Relief Conditions

1. 20+ weeks pregnant or childcare needed

If staying in Korea is unavoidable
→ Temporary stay permit (F-6-1 review)

2. Marriage Visa (F-6) must be applied abroad

Even if pregnant or giving birth
If the foreign spouse is not legally staying,
→ Must apply for F-6 visa at a Korean consulate abroad

3. Income requirement waived

If the couple lived abroad 1+ year
And the Korean spouse has no income in Korea,
→ Income requirement can be waived

4. Refugee applicants

Can change status for childbirth/childcare
But in most cases → F-6 visa must be issued overseas

5. Penalty fine for overstay

Fine imposed → then normal visa procedure continues

E-9 → E-7 Change Approved (K-point E74 / 200 points)

January 2025 — Filipino worker “Olyran” successfully changed from E-9 to E-7 (200 pts)

■ Quick Summary

Achieved 200 points under the K-point (E-7-4) system
Manufacturing experience + long-term work in Korea
No criminal or immigration violations
Employer met all requirements (4 major insurances, labor contract, etc.)

■ 2025 E-7-4 Skilled Worker Selection (Overview)

Total quota: 35,000 workers
- Company Recommendation: 12,000
- Ministry of Employment: 3,650
- Ministry of Industry: 1,900
- SMEs Ministry: 1,650
- Local Government Recommendation included

■ Application Period & Method

Period: March 1 – December 31, 2025 (first come, first served)
Method: Online-only via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr)

■ Application Day (Based on Birth Year Last Digit)

1·6 → Monday
2·7 → Tuesday
3·8 → Wednesday
4·9 → Thursday
5·0 → Friday

■ Requirements for E-9 → E-7 Approval

Legal work experience in Korea (manufacturing preferred)
Educational background or technical skills
Employer qualification (insurance paid, valid workplace)
No criminal or illegal stay records

■ Important Note

E-9 workers in manufacturing have continuous opportunities to move to E-7.
Quota for 2025 increased to 35,000, so chances are higher.

Chinese Student → Start-of-Activity Report (Housekeeping / Childcare)

■ Overview

A Chinese international student submitted a Start-of-Activity Report to legally engage in housekeeping and childcare services.

■ Required Documents

Service contract
Resident registration copy of the employer’s household

■ Fee

Free (No charge)

■ Process

Application
Fill out report form
Submit to local Immigration Office or branch
Check result via My Page

■ Reception Hours

Weekdays 07:00–22:00
(Closed on weekends/public holidays)

■ Processing Office

Local Immigration Office or branch

ACE Administrative Scrivener Office · 5-1 Icheon-ro 1-gil, Nam-gu, Daegu

Registered Immigration Service Agency (No. 25-TG-RG-019)

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