F-4 (Overseas Korean) Restriction for Men Without Completed Military Service — Apply from January 1 of the Year They Turn 41

Procedure

1. 1. Confirm the date nationality was lost

   A person who filed a renunciation loses Korean nationality when the Minister of Justice accepts the report, and a person who voluntarily acquired a foreign nationality loses it at the time of that acquisition. Because the applicable rule depends on whether this date is on or after May 1, 2018, first fix the date using the detailed basic certificate, the naturalization certificate and the renunciation acceptance documents.

2. 2. Check whether military service was resolved

   If, when nationality was lost, the man had completed or is deemed to have completed active duty, full-time reserve, supplementary or alternative service, had been placed in wartime labor service, or had received an exemption disposition, the restriction in Article 5(2)1 does not apply. If so, prepare military service documents such as a certificate of military service record; if not, move on to calculating when he can apply.

3. 3. Calculate when an application becomes possible

   A person who lost nationality on or after May 1, 2018 can apply from January 1 of the year he turns 41; for example, someone born in 1990 can apply from January 1, 2031. A person who lost nationality by April 30, 2018 is restricted under the former provision only if he had the purpose of evading military service, and that restriction stops applying once he turns 38. Cases where there is a risk of harming the interests of the Republic of Korea (item 2 of the same paragraph) are reviewed separately regardless of age.

4. 4. Prepare the application form and proof of Korean descent

   From abroad, apply for a visa at a Korean diplomatic mission with the visa application form; if already in Korea under another status, apply to the competent immigration office for a change of status with the integrated application form. Prepare family relation records showing the applicant was a Korean national and documents proving the reason for and date of acquiring foreign nationality, and applicants under the former provision also submit explanatory materials, such as proof of the family's life base abroad, showing there was no intent to evade military service.

5. 5. Residence report and family stay after approval

   After entering with F-4, the person may set a place of residence and file a domestic residence report with the competent immigration office, and each period of stay is up to 3 years. A spouse and minor children without a spouse may consider F-3 (Dependent Family) status. Extensions of stay are also refused if a ground under Article 5(2) exists, so keep the military service documents.

Required documents

• Visa application form (Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Form No. 17, when applying at a diplomatic mission) or integrated application (report) form (Form No. 34 of the same Rules, for a change of status in Korea)
• Passport and standard-size photo
• Detailed basic certificate, family relation certificate or removed family register proving the applicant was a Korean national
• Document proving the reason for and date of acquiring foreign nationality (such as a naturalization certificate)
• Document confirming acceptance of the nationality renunciation or processing of the loss of nationality
• Certificate of military service record or other document confirming completion of service, placement in wartime labor service or exemption disposition (if applicable)
• Explanatory statement and evidence of the family's residence and life base abroad showing no intent to evade military service (if nationality was lost on or before April 30, 2018)
• Apostille or consular legalization for documents issued abroad, with translations

Fees

Industry range is several hundred thousand won · we provide a quote after consultation based on whether it is a visa application abroad or a change of status in Korea, when nationality was lost and the volume of supporting materials. Government fees are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans, Article 2
• Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans, Article 5
• Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans, Article 6
• Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans, Article 10
• Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans, Addenda (Act No. 14973, Oct. 31, 2017), Articles 2 and 3
• Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans, Article 3
• Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans, Article 4
• Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Annex 1-2
• Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Annex 1
• Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Annex 5
• Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Form No. 17
• Enforcement Rules of the Immigration Act, Form No. 34
• Nationality Act, Article 14
• Nationality Act, Article 15
• Nationality Act, Article 16

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-16

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

• An application filed before January 1 of the year the applicant turns 41 is refused on the ground in Article 5(2)1, so first calculate the application date from the birth year and the date nationality was lost.
• If a report of loss of nationality has not been filed after acquiring a foreign nationality, the person remains a Korean national in the family relation register, so complete the report of loss of nationality under Article 16 of the Nationality Act before applying for F-4.

Frequently asked questions