There are several ways through which a foreigner can obtain citizenship in Korea. However, naturalization, also known as general naturalization, is the most common pathway. Having a Korean passport also comes with numerous advantages, among which visa-free access to various countries. If you have decided to move here, you can rely on our specialists for support in getting your application started. You can also read below about how to obtain Korean citizenship and how we can help you.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Applicable law | Korean Nationality Law |
|
Assistance provided by specialized immigration lawyer (YES/NO) |
Yes, we have immigration lawyers who can help you apply for citizenship in Vietnam. |
|
Requirements for citizenship by naturalization |
Living in South Korea based on a residence permit. |
| Availability for citizenship by descent (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Citizenship by marriage possibility (YES/NO) |
Yes, it is possible to secure citizenship by marriage. |
| Availability of citizenship by investment (YES/NO) |
Yes, citizenship by investment is also available in Korea. |
| Fastest way to obtain citizenship in Korea |
Citizenship by descent, as it does not require applicants to have lived in Korea. |
| Time frame to obtain citizenship by naturalization |
5 years of permanent residency |
| Special conditions to obtain citizenship (if applicable) |
No |
| Requirements to be naturalized in South Korea |
– financial stability, – being at least 18 years old (except for children of Korean citizens born abroad and of foreign nationals born in Korea), – having knowledge of the Korean language and culture |
| Direct recognition of citizenship (if applicable) |
Yes, for children born to Korean fathers before June 1998 |
| Eligibility for citizenship by descent |
Children and people born to Korean mothers or fathers |
| Visa-free access based on a Korean passport |
In more than 140 countries around the world |
| Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO) |
Only in certain cases |
| Benefits of becoming a Korean citizen |
– access to the state education and healthcare systems, – access to social programs, – good quality of life |
Table of Contents
The main 3 pathways to citizenship in South Korea
If you relocated to Korea and aim to obtain citizenship in 2025, here are your options:
- naturalization;
- paternity or ancestry, however, due to the fact that it can only be acquired through the father, it is often referred to as the first term;
- marriage.
For those who have lost citizenship there is also the process of re-acquisition. However, you should know that Korean dual citizenship is not accepted, should you plan to retain two or more nationalities.
If you fall under any of these categories, waste no more time and get in touch with our immigration lawyers in Korea for guidance. We can also help you open a company in Korea and start your business activities there.
Korean citizenship by naturalization and its requirements
Naturalization is the safest way to obtain citizenship in Korea in 2025, as it implies meeting the following requirements:
- holding permanent residency in South Korea for a minimum period of 5 years;
- being an adult, according to the Civil Code in South Korea;
- having a clean criminal record during your stay here;
- being financially stable;
- having appropriate knowledge of Korea’s culture, language, and traditions.
Out of these, Korean residency is one of the most important aspects to consider before applying for citizenship. Should you want to apply for a permanent residence permit first, you can rely on our law firm in Korea.
We remind you that, if you want to retain your current passport, the authorities here do not acknowledge South Korean dual citizenship.
Citizenship by simplified naturalization in Korea
When it comes to naturalization, apart from the general one, there is also the simplified citizenship. Its main advantage is the requirement to have a permanent residence permit in South Korea for minimum 3 years prior to the application. However, there are also conditions to meet, among which:
- the applicant must be an adult at the time of the application, in accordance with the Civil Code;
- he or she must also have complied with the Korean laws;
- the person is also required to have sufficient funds to sustain him/herself, however, dependents of other family members who make enough money are also accepted;
- the applicant must also have a good knowledge of the South Korean language, culture, and customs.
Please note that the minimum living period must be 3 consecutive years when filing for Korean citizenship through simplified naturalization.
This pathway can also be used by people who immigrate to South Korea and:
- have given up Korean citizenship and want to obtain again;
- were born in Korea, their parents left the country with them and decide to return;
- were adopted by Korean citizens and were adults at the time of adoption.
Our local specialists can guide you if you are in any of the situations above and need assistance in filing for citizenship in Korea.
Special naturalization in Korea
Another way to secure citizenship in Korea is through special naturalization. This type of nationality covers the following:
- Chinese citizens of Korean descent;
- foreign nationals with exceptional skills/talent or who have contributed substantially to the Korean economy.
In the first case, Chinese citizens can apply for citizenship if they enter any of the following categories:
- They were born after October 1st, 1949, if they have at least one Korean parent or if either of the parents has applied for Korean nationality restoration;
- They have either a parent or a grandparent of Chinese origin who applied for Korean citizenship, but died before receiving it.
With respect the second category of applicants, the following conditions must be met for foreign citizens to be allowed to apply for Korean citizenship if they were involved in the independence movement or have contributed to other deeds that benefitted the country, as covered by Article 4 in the Law Related to the Honorable Treatment of Those Involved in Independence Movement.
Please note that for each type of application other requirements apply, including financial ones, such as those related to the minimum income of the candidate. In this case, we invite you to discuss with our accountants in Korea for clarification.
How to obtain citizenship by paternity in South Korea in 2025
Those with family ties to Korea are eligible for citizenship by paternity or descent. For this purpose, the applicant must consider that at least one of the parents is a South Korean citizen. The paternity part refers to children born to unmarried couples, where the father must be a citizen of this country.
Also, it is essential to know that South Korean citizenship by descent is available for minor children, a case in which the parents must file for citizenship. We can assist in this sense.
Feel free to address our lawyers in Korea if you need assistance for immigration, including obtaining residency.
Citizenship by marriage in Korea
When it comes to securing Korean citizenship by marriage, the same rules as for naturalization apply. The only difference resides in the fact that the marriage must have lasted at least 2 years before filing the application.
In terms of document requirements, these depend on the pathway you qualify for citizenship. Applications must be filed with the Ministry of Interior.
How strong is the Korean passport?
When moving to another country, residency is the first thing that comes to one’s mind, followed by citizenship when considering you have adhered to the values and culture of that country and have sufficient links to it.
When it comes to citizenship in South Korea, if you meet the legal requirements and also have strong connections to the country, you should know that:
- The South Korean passport allows you to travel visa-free in 141 countries at the level of 2023;
- You can also obtain a visa on arrival in 39 countries based on this passport;
- South Korea has also adhered to the Electronic Visa Authorization systems of 10 countries;
- Online visas must be secured for 16 countries.
Here is also our video on this topic:
Statistics on Korea’s population
At the beginning of 2025, the Republic of Korea has 51,687,239 citizens, according to data from Worldometers.com. The report also shows that:
- By the middle of 2025, the population is expected to register a mild decline and reach 51,667,029 inhabitants;
- Based on these numbers, Korea accounts for 0.63% of the world’s total population, ranking 29th at a global level in terms of citizens;
- More than 42.587 million people – 82.4% of the population – live in urban areas;
- The median age of the population is 45.6;
- Seoul has the largest number of inhabitants – a little over 10.349 million people.
By 2030, South Korea is expected to have a population of 51,188,584 citizens, registering a drop of 0.19% compared to 2025.
If you meet the criteria to apply for citizenship in Korea, contact us! We can help you obtain it.