Korean naturalisation (citizenship): requirements, residence years, test and fee
Numbers checked against the official source on 2026-10-19
To become a Korean citizen by general naturalisation you need five years of continuous domicile in Korea, a stay status that lets you live in Korea permanently, adulthood, good conduct, an ability to support yourself, and basic Korean language and customs knowledge. Marriage to a Korean citizen shortens the residence period to 2 years. The application fee is ₩300,000 per person, paid with government revenue stamps. Applicants take a comprehensive assessment unless they qualify for an exemption, for example by completing the Social Integration Programme.
Korean citizenship requirements
General naturalisation (Nationality Act, Article 5)
A foreigner who does not fall under the simplified or special routes below needs all of these:
- Domicile in Korea continuously for 5 years or more.
- A stay status that allows permanent residence in Korea.
- Adult under the Civil Act.
- Good conduct, meeting standards set by Justice Ministry order.
- Ability to earn a living through your own assets or skills, or by depending on a family member you live with.
- Basic knowledge expected of a Korean citizen, including Korean language ability and understanding of Korean customs.
- The Justice Minister must find that naturalising you does not harm national security, public order or the public welfare.
The residence count starts from lawful entry and alien registration, and counts continuous lawful stay. Time before and after a gap is added together if you left on a re-entry permit and returned within it, or left temporarily because your stay could not be extended and returned with an entry visa within 1 month, or in similar cases the Justice Minister accepts (Enforcement Rule Article 5).
Simplified naturalisation (Article 6)
| Who | Domicile needed |
|---|---|
| Had a Korean father or mother | 3 years |
| Born in Korea to a parent who was also born in Korea | 3 years |
| Adopted by a Korean citizen, an adult under the Civil Act at adoption | 3 years |
| Spouse of a Korean citizen: domiciled in Korea while married | 2 years |
| Spouse of a Korean citizen: married 3 or more years | 1 year, married |
The Act also covers a spouse who could not complete the period for reasons not their fault (for example the spouse's death or disappearance), or who is raising a minor child of the marriage, if the Justice Minister finds it reasonable. These people also do not need the 5-year or permanent-residence-status conditions.
Special naturalisation (Article 7)
Foreigners with a Korean parent (except adults who were adopted as adults), people with special service to Korea, and people with outstanding ability in a field such as science, economics, culture or sport that serves Korea's national interest need only be domiciled in Korea; the residence, permanent-status, age and livelihood conditions of Article 5 are waived. Fees are waived for the last two groups.
How much does it cost?
| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation application, per person (accompanying minors not counted) | 300,000 |
| Restoration of nationality application, per person | 200,000 |
| Nationality acquisition, reacquisition or retention notification, per person | 20,000 each |
| Permission to renounce nationality, per person | 100,000 |
| Certificate issued under Article 17 of the Rule, each | 2,000 |
The fee is paid with government revenue stamps of the same amount; Korean embassies can accept cash, equivalent foreign currency or proof of payment. The fee is waived for people applying under Article 7(1) items 2 and 3 (special service to Korea; outstanding ability). A comparison with other immigration fees is on our immigration fees page.
The naturalisation test
After you apply, the Justice Minister runs a comprehensive assessment and an interview to check the requirements. You must take the assessment within one year of applying. The Enforcement Rule lets the Minister exempt:
- minors and people aged 60 or over;
- people naturalising under Article 7(1) items 2 or 3 (special service; outstanding ability);
- people who completed the Social Integration Programme under Article 39(1) of the Immigration Act (see our KIIP page);
- people who scored 60 out of 100 or more in the assessment in the last 3 years before applying;
- others with special reasons accepted by the Minister.
The interview checks Korean language ability, attitude as a Korean citizen and belief in the free democratic basic order. It can be exempted for, for example, applicants younger than 15 and those who passed the assessment with 60 points or more after completing the Social Integration Programme.
Before you apply
- Residence counts only after lawful entry and completed alien registration; check any trips abroad against the re-entry rules above.
- The Ministry's nationality office phone is 02-2110-4121 (as printed on law.go.kr). Immigration questions can go to 1345.
- Whether you must give up your foreign nationality depends on other rules not covered here; ask before you apply.
Law texts read on 2026-10-19 on law.go.kr: Nationality Act (in force 2022-10-01, Articles 5 to 7 last amended 2017; the page header carries a "scheduled" label although the date has passed), Enforcement Decree (2022-12-20) and Enforcement Rule (2026-10-02). Not covered: the good-conduct standards, dual nationality, restoration and renunciation procedures, forms and documents. Not legal advice; confirm with immigration (1345).
Official sources
- Nationality Act (국적법), Articles 5, 6 and 7 (law.go.kr) — general, simplified and special naturalisation conditions; in force 2022-10-01, articles last amended 2017-12-19 (Article 6: joNo=0006, Article 7: joNo=0007) (checked 2026-10-19)
- Enforcement Decree of the Nationality Act, Article 4-2 (law.go.kr) — comprehensive assessment and interview; assessment within 1 year of applying; in force 2022-12-20 (checked 2026-10-19)
- Enforcement Rule of the Nationality Act, Articles 4, 5 and 18 (law.go.kr) — fees (Article 18), assessment and interview exemptions (Article 4: joNo=0004), residence counting (Article 5: joNo=0005); in force 2026-10-02 (checked 2026-10-19)
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