How to Apply for Permission for Reinstatement of Nationality — Pledge Not to Exercise Foreign Nationality and Multiple Nationality for Overseas Koreans Aged 65 or Older

Procedure

1. 1. Check whether the loss of nationality has been processed

   A person who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses Korean nationality at that time. If the loss of nationality is not reflected in the family relations register, first complete the report of loss of nationality. If the name was changed to an English name, also prepare a document showing that you are the same person.

2. 2. Sort out your status of stay and place of residence

   To apply in Korea, first make sure that you hold a status of stay such as Overseas Korean (F-4) and that your report of domestic residence or foreigner registration is in order. Check the remaining period so that the period of stay does not end while the application is pending.

3. 3. Apply for permission for reinstatement of nationality

   Submit the application for permission for reinstatement of nationality and the attached documents to the competent immigration office. The fee is 200,000 won per person and is paid by government revenue stamp. The Ministry of Justice examines the application through an identity check, a criminal record check, a military service record check and an investigation of stay activities, and may request supplementary materials.

4. 4. Oath of allegiance and receipt of the certificate of reinstatement of nationality

   Once permission is granted, you acquire Korean nationality when you take the oath of allegiance and receive the certificate of reinstatement of nationality. A person who has difficulty understanding or expressing the meaning of the oath because of age or disability can be exempted from the oath.

5. 5. Renounce the foreign nationality or make the pledge within 1 year

   Within 1 year from the date of acquiring nationality, renounce the foreign nationality or, if you are eligible, make the pledge not to exercise foreign nationality. If you do neither, you lose Korean nationality again when the period has passed. After that, proceed with the resident registration procedure.

Required documents

• Application for permission for reinstatement of nationality
• Copy of passport and documents proving the acquisition of foreign nationality
• Documents showing the history of holding Korean nationality, such as the basic certificate and the family relation certificate
• Document proving that you are the same person, if the English name differs
• Criminal record certificate from the home country (with apostille and translation attached as instructed by the competent authority)
• Documents on performance of or exemption from military service (where applicable)
• Written pledge not to exercise foreign nationality (eligible persons, such as those who entered Korea after age 65 for the purpose of residing permanently)
• Fee of 200,000 won (government revenue stamp)

Fees

The application fee for permission for reinstatement of nationality is 200,000 won per person (government revenue stamp). Service fees in the industry for document preparation range from several hundred thousand won up to the 1,000,000 won range and vary with how much work is needed to complete the report of loss of nationality and to obtain overseas documents. We will advise you after a consultation based on the state of your documents.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Nationality Act, Article 9
• Nationality Act, Article 10
• Nationality Act, Article 12
• Nationality Act, Article 13
• Enforcement Decree of the Nationality Act, Article 8
• Enforcement Decree of the Nationality Act, Article 9
• Enforcement Rule of the Nationality Act, Article 18

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-01

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

• If you do not renounce the foreign nationality or make the pledge within 1 year from the date of acquiring nationality, you lose Korean nationality again.
• If you have a criminal record or your military service matters are not settled, secure the relevant documents before applying.

Frequently asked questions