F-2-1 visa (National Spouse)

If you’re married to a Korean national, your visa should be the F-2-1 visa. F-2 is the temporary resident visa for spouses of Koreans or F-5 visa holders( while the -1 means you’re a Korean spouse). This is the visa that I received from the Korean Embassy in Manila. I was granted a 59 day visa that time since I didn’t want to pay.

Since you’ll be staying in Korea for more than 90 days, you’ll need to get the ARC or Alien Registration Card. This is the official ID card issued by the government to resident aliens. When I came here, I didn’t apply for the ARC right away. I did it together with the visa extension so as to save time.

During that time, there was only one immigration office in Seoul and that’s the one in Mokdong. It’s near Omokyo station on Line 5.

The F-2-1 visa is good for one year on the first time you extend it. On your second time, they will give you two years. And two years thereafter. The nice thing about the immigration office is that they send you a letter notifying you that you need to extend the visa.

With an F-2 visa, you are allowed to work at any job without the need for a working visa. Filipinos are still not allowed to teach English with this visa. However, there are some hagwons or private schools that would hire on this visa.

Unfortunately, if you’re planning to travel outside you’ll still need to get a re-entry permit. It’s advisable to get a multiple-entry visa. I don’t see the logic in getting a re-entry if you’re married to a Korean and specially if you’re traveling with your child.

When my son and I went to the US for a vacation, the attendant at the Korean Airlines counter wouldn’t give me a boarding pass until I get a re-entry. I was planning to get the boarding pass first before the re-entry since I was traveling alone with my then 5-month old son.