South Korea — Spouse & Fiancé Visa Guide
Bringing Your South Korean Partner to the United States
Marriage-based cases involving a South Korean partner come with a few document-specific and procedural requirements set directly by the US Embassy in Seoul, including a precise translation rule and a courier requirement that are easy to overlook.
Document Requirements for South Korea Cases
For a Korean-born applicant, the US Embassy in Seoul requires a Family Relation Certificate with "Detailed" information, issued within one year of submission, along with an English translation.
Important
This comes with a specific rule worth noting carefully: the Korean-language version of the Family Relation Certificate must be submitted alongside the English translation. An English-only version is not accepted on its own.
Other document requirements include:
- Birth certificate — Original or certified copy with English translation. If born in Korea, both a Basic Certificate and the Family Relation Certificate described above.
- Marriage certificate — For each prior marriage, if applicable, with English translation. Korean nationals submit a Marriage Relation Certificate with "Detailed" information, issued within one year.
- Divorce or death certificate — If previously married, documenting how that marriage ended.
- Police certificate — Required for applicants over 16, from their country of nationality, and from any other country where they lived 6 months or more (after age 16) if that residence was in-country, or 12 months or more for other countries.
- Adoption documentation — If either party was adopted, an original adoption decree or Adoption Relation Certificate with detailed information.
The Seoul Interview Process
Before the immigrant visa interview at the US Embassy in Seoul, applicants must complete several required steps, or risk having the interview rescheduled:
Register a document return address
Register a document return address online in advance, so the embassy can return the passport and documents afterward.Schedule a medical exam with an approved physician
Schedule a medical exam with an embassy-approved physician only. Results from other doctors are not accepted. Approved physicians are located at specific hospitals in Seoul and Busan.Submit documents through Ilyang Logis
Do not mail documents directly to the embassy. Documents must be submitted through Ilyang Logis, the embassy's designated courier service.Attorneys cannot accompany clients
Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or the interview itself.
Common Challenges for South Korea Cases
Family Relation Certificate translation errors
Missing the document return address registration
Using the wrong physician for the medical exam
Document validity windows
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't find your answer? Every case is different, and a free case evaluation is the fastest way to get guidance specific to your situation.
Get a Free Case EvaluationWhat is a Family Relation Certificate, and why does it need to be submitted in Korean as well as English?
It's a Korean civil document showing family relationships, required for Korean-born applicants. The US Embassy in Seoul specifically requires the Korean-language version to be submitted alongside the English translation, not the English version alone.
Can I use any doctor for my immigrant visa medical exam in South Korea?
No. Only physicians specifically approved by the US Embassy can perform the exam. Results from other doctors will not be accepted, and you'll need to reschedule your interview if your exam isn't completed with an approved physician beforehand.
Can I mail my documents directly to the US Embassy in Seoul?
No. Documents must be submitted through Ilyang Logis, the embassy's designated courier service, rather than mailed directly.
Can my attorney accompany me to my visa interview in Seoul?
No. Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or the interview itself.
How long is my medical exam valid for a South Korea-based immigrant visa case?
Generally six months, or three months if a Class B tuberculosis condition is noted. Your visa's validity is limited to your medical exam's validity window.
