General and Special Naturalization Requirements and Application Documents — Permanent Residency, Livelihood, and the Korea Immigration and Integration Program

Procedure

1. 1. Determine the type of naturalization

   First check which requirements you meet: general naturalization, simplified naturalization such as by marriage, or special naturalization. General naturalization requires a domicile in Korea for 5 or more consecutive years and permanent resident status. If your father or mother is a Korean national, you can apply for special naturalization without a residence period requirement.

2. 2. Check for adverse factors

   A record of illegal stay or deportation, unpaid taxes or health insurance premiums, and a criminal record such as drunk driving are viewed unfavorably in the review of conduct. If you have arrears, clear them before applying, and prepare materials that explain the circumstances of any past record.

3. 3. Prepare proof of livelihood and basic knowledge

   Show your ability to maintain a livelihood through your own income and assets or those of family members who share your livelihood. If you complete the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP, Level 5), you can be exempted from the naturalization comprehensive evaluation (formerly the written test), and if you also scored 60 or more out of 100 on the comprehensive evaluation, you can be exempted from the interview as well.

4. 4. Document preparation support and personal application

   We prepare application materials, family-relationship notification data and the attachment list. Applicants aged 15 or older apply personally; a legal representative applies for a child under 15. A five-page statement is not universally required: prepare explanations only where needed, such as a breakdown of marriage. General-naturalization recommenders write and seal their own recommendations. Interviews and checks of actual circumstances involve the applicant. Mock interviews and accompaniment are separate from the baseline.

5. 5. Deal with your foreign nationality after permission is granted

   Within 1 year from the date you acquire Korean nationality by taking the oath of allegiance and receiving the certificate of naturalization, you must renounce your foreign nationality or, if you are eligible to pledge not to exercise your foreign nationality, make that pledge. If you miss the deadline you lose Korean nationality, so set the schedule right after permission is granted.

Required documents

• Application for permission for naturalization, copy of passport, residence card (residence card)
• Identity and family relationship certificates from your home country (with translations attached)
• Proof of ability to maintain a livelihood (certificate of income, certificate of employment, bank balance, real estate documents, etc.)
• Tax payment certificate, confirmation of payment of health insurance premiums
• Certificate of completion of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (if applicable)
• Special naturalization: family relationship documents confirming the Korean nationality of your father or mother

Fees

The naturalization baseline covers evidence review, document preparation support, assessment and interview procedure guidance, ordinary supplements and guidance after permission. Mock interviews, accompaniment, translation, authentication and separate post-acquisition filings are additional. Restoration of nationality and simple nationality reports are different services. The official fee is 300,000 won per person, subject to statutory exemptions for distinguished service or outstanding talent. VAT and expenses are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Nationality Act, Article 4
• Nationality Act, Article 5
• Nationality Act, Article 7
• Nationality Act, Article 10
• Enforcement Rule of the Nationality Act, Article 4
• Enforcement Rule of the Nationality Act, Article 18
• Nationality Act Article 6
• Nationality Act Article 19
• Nationality Act Enforcement Decree Article 25-2
• Nationality Act Enforcement Rule Article 3

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-21

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• Even while the naturalization review is in progress, you must separately manage your extension schedule so that your period of stay does not expire.

Frequently asked questions