Naturalization in Korea is the legal process that allows a foreign national to become a Korean citizen, and the Nationality Act sets out three types: general, simplified, and special. Most applicants who have never held Korean nationality and have no family relationship with a Korean national go through general naturalization, which is the category with the most detailed public requirements.
This guide explains who can apply for general naturalization in Korea, the requirements listed in the Nationality Act, the documents the Immigration Office asks for, and how the overall procedure works. Simplified and special naturalization exist for people with different circumstances, but the specific conditions for those two categories can vary by case, so always confirm the current requirements on the official page before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Foreign nationals applying for naturalization in Korea; the Nationality Act recognizes three types: general, simplified, and special. |
| Main type covered here | General Naturalization, for residents of more than 5 years with no family relationship to a Korean national. |
| Residence requirement | A domicile address in Korea for more than 5 consecutive years (general naturalization). |
| Where to apply | The Nationality Department of an Immigration Office. |
| Key personal requirements | Permanent residency status, legal adulthood under Korean Civil Law, good conduct, financial self-sufficiency, and basic knowledge of Korean language and customs. |
| Final approval | Granted by the Minister of Justice if it does not undermine national security, public order, or public welfare. |
| Cost stated in the source | 300,000 KRW, paid as a Government Revenue Stamp, for general naturalization. |
Who Can Apply for Naturalization in Korea
The Nationality Act recognizes three routes to citizenship: general naturalization, simplified naturalization, and special naturalization. The official guidance sets out detailed conditions only for general naturalization, which applies to foreigners who have never previously attained Korean nationality.
- Has never previously attained Korean nationality
- Has no family relationship whatsoever with a Korean national
- Has had a domicile address in Korea for more than 5 consecutive years
⚠️ Simplified and special naturalization exist under the same Act, but their specific conditions are not detailed on this page. Check the official page for the requirements that apply to your situation before choosing a category.
Requirements for General Naturalization in Korea
Nationality Act Article 5 lists the conditions a general naturalization applicant must meet. All of the following must be satisfied, and meeting them does not guarantee approval.
- A domicile address in the Republic of Korea for more than 5 consecutive years
- A permanent residency status in South Korea
- Legal adulthood under Korean Civil Law
- Good conduct as defined by Ministry of Justice decree, meaning compliance with laws and ordinances (Nationality Act Article 5-2 sets the detailed standard)
- The ability to maintain living on your own assets or skills, or being a dependent member of a family capable of that
- Basic knowledge befitting a Korean national, such as understanding of the Korean language, customs, and culture
Even if all conditions above are met, Korean nationality is only granted when the Minister of Justice approves it, and only if doing so does not undermine national security, public order, or public welfare.
How Your Time in Korea Is Counted
For general naturalization, your residential period is defined as the continuous period spent in Korea after legal entry and foreigner registration, under Nationality Act Regulations Article 5.
Time spent outside Korea is normally not counted, but there are exceptions where an absence still counts toward your continuous stay.
- You received a re-entry permit before your stay expired and re-entered Korea before the specified return date
- You left Korea temporarily for reasons beyond your control and re-entered with a new visa within 1 month of your departure
- The Minister of Justice acknowledges that the time should count toward your continuous period in Korea
⚠️ Absences that don’t meet one of these three conditions are not counted toward your continuous residence.
Documents You Need for General Naturalization
The exact documents required can change depending on your individual circumstances, and you may be asked for supplementary documents after submission. Documents in a foreign language must be translated into Korean and notarized, except for English and Chinese, and in that case you must record the translator’s name and contact number.
- Naturalization Application Form with one 4cm x 5cm color photo attached, submitted as 2 copies of the first page
- A copy of your passport
- A Statement for Citizenship Application
- A Statement of Identity, with a copy that has a photo attached
- A copy of your foreign family registration or citizenship papers
- A recommendation letter from more than 2 qualified persons, with a Certificate of Incumbency for each
- One document proving financial sufficiency (see options below)
- Documents proving the status of your parents, spouse, or children, and your marriage or adoption status
- A criminal record certificate issued by your country of origin
| Financial sufficiency option | What it must show |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Income | Income at or above the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita for the previous year, as announced by the Bank of Korea, issued by the head of a district tax office |
| Financial assets | Deposits, installment savings, or securities worth 60 million KRW or more |
| Real estate ownership | Real estate registered at 60 million KRW or more, based on officially assessed land price, real transaction price, or a commercial bank’s market price |
⚠️ Only one of the three financial sufficiency documents is required. The application fee for general naturalization is 300,000 KRW, paid as a Government Revenue Stamp.
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
Based on the requirements and documents above, the general naturalization process follows this order.
- Confirm you meet the residence and eligibility requirements for general naturalization under the Nationality Act.
- Collect the required documents, including the application form, passport copy, statements, recommendation letters, and one financial sufficiency document.
- Have any foreign-language documents translated into Korean and notarized, unless they are in English or Chinese.
- Submit your application and documents to the Nationality Department of an Immigration Office.
- Pay the application fee in the form of a Government Revenue Stamp.
- Wait for review. The Minister of Justice grants Korean nationality only if it does not undermine national security, public order, or public welfare.
Common Mistakes and What Depends on Your Case
Because required documents can change based on your individual circumstances, treat the document list as a starting point, not a final checklist.
- Submitting more than one financial sufficiency document, when only one is required
- Forgetting notarization for foreign-language documents that are not in English or Chinese, or forgetting to record the translator’s name and contact number
- Assuming simplified or special naturalization follow the same requirements as general naturalization, when the conditions can differ
⚠️ Confirm the current document list, fee, and any case-specific conditions with the Nationality Department of your Immigration Office before you submit your application.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three types of naturalization in Korea?
Naturalization in Korea has three types under the Nationality Act: general, simplified, and special. The detailed requirements published cover general naturalization, which applies to foreigners with more than 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea and no family relationship with a Korean national.
How many years do I need to live in Korea for general naturalization?
You need a domicile address in Korea for more than 5 consecutive years, along with a permanent residency status and the other conditions in Nationality Act Article 5.
What happens if I leave Korea during the residence period?
Time outside Korea can still count toward your continuous stay if you re-entered before your re-entry permit’s return date, if you re-entered with a new visa within 1 month after leaving for reasons beyond your control, or if the Minister of Justice acknowledges the time. Otherwise, time spent outside Korea is not counted.
How much does general naturalization cost?
The stated fee for general naturalization is 300,000 KRW, paid as a Government Revenue Stamp.
Where do I submit my naturalization application?
You submit your application at the Nationality Department of an Immigration Office.
General naturalization in Korea follows the residence, conduct, and financial conditions set out in the Nationality Act, but simplified and special naturalization can involve different conditions that vary by case. Before you prepare anything, confirm the current document list, fee, and procedure with the Nationality Department of your Immigration Office or on the official HI KOREA page.
Last checked: September 28, 2026. Rules, fees and required documents in Korea change often, and some depend on your visa type and district office. Always confirm the current details on the official pages below before you go.