Can foreigners become Korean citizens?
Yes. The general route needs five years of continuous residence in Korea and six other conditions, and shorter routes exist for some applicants.
DependsThe general route
Under Article 5 of the Nationality Act, a foreigner must meet every one of these conditions to be granted general naturalization:
- You have lived in Korea continuously for five years or more.
- You hold a status of stay that allows permanent residence in Korea.
- You are an adult under Korea's Civil Act.
- You meet the conduct requirement set by law, which includes obeying the law.
- You can support yourself, from your own assets or skills or by relying on family you live with.
- You have the basic knowledge expected of a Korean citizen, including Korean language ability and an understanding of Korean customs.
- The Minister of Justice finds that granting naturalization does not harm national security, public order or public welfare.
This is our summary of Easy Law's explanation. The list in the Act itself is the final word.
A shorter route
Easy Law also describes simplified naturalization (Article 6). People who have lived in Korea continuously for three years or more and belong to one of these groups have to meet fewer of the conditions:
- People whose father or mother was a Korean national.
- People born in Korea whose father or mother was also born in Korea.
- People adopted by a Korean citizen who were adults under the Civil Act at the time of adoption.
Other routes, such as the one for people married to a Korean citizen, have their own conditions. We have not read them.
We also did not read the rules for special naturalization. The Act covers general, simplified and special naturalization in Articles 4 to 7.
Ask the Immigration Contact Center (1345) about your own situation.How to apply
Easy Law says applicants aged 15 or older must apply in person. A legal representative can apply for a child under 15. The application goes to the immigration office, and Easy Law's pages point to HiKorea and the Immigration Contact Center (1345) for the list of documents.
Citizenship is not permanent residence
Easy Law treats them as different things. Nationality is the status of being a citizen of a country. Permanent residence is a right that lets a foreigner who meets the conditions live in Korea indefinitely. The general naturalization route above requires a status of stay that allows permanent residence, so the two are linked in practice.
Common questions
Is permanent residence the same as citizenship?
No. Easy Law explains that permanent residence is a right to live in Korea indefinitely, while nationality is the status of being a citizen of the country.
Do I have to give up my other nationality?
Easy Law says a foreigner who acquires Korean nationality while holding a foreign nationality must renounce the foreign one, or pledge not to exercise it, within one year (Nationality Act Art. 10). We have not read the exceptions, so ask the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 about your case.
Can a child be naturalized?
A child under 15 cannot apply alone. A legal representative applies on the child's behalf, and applicants aged 15 or older must apply in person.
Where can I get help with my application?
Easy Law's pages name HiKorea and the Immigration Contact Center (1345) as the places to check document lists and details.
Sources
- Easy Law, Ministry of Government Legislation: “Types of naturalization” (read Nov 2, 2026). The conditions above are from this page.
- Easy Law: “Understanding nationality” (nationality compared with permanent residence).
- Easy Law: “Acquiring nationality by acknowledgment” (the one-year rule on renouncing a foreign nationality).
Next questions
Not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you act. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will correct it and update the date.
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