Korean Citizenship Checklist: What to Do After Becoming a Citizen?
Congratulations on obtaining Korean citizenship! This exciting milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. To help you navigate this transition smoothly, we've compiled a comprehensive checklist of essential steps to take after becoming a Korean citizen.
When you are accepted for naturalization, you will receive a text message via Kakaotalk or call from immigration office to inform you about naturalization result for Korean citizenship. They will call you at a specific time and request you to read the Citizen Oath (Korean name is 국민 선서) as below:
<국민선서>
나는 자랑스러운 대한민국 국민으로서 대한민국의 헌법과 법률을 준수하고 국민의 책임과 의무를 다할 것을 엄숙히 선서합니다. __년 __월 __일 (본인성명)
After that, they will send you a Certificate of Naturalization (Korean name is 대한민국 귀화증서) issued by the Minister of Justice via post office as below:
Round 1: Step-by-Step Guide to Adopting Korean Nationality
If you have chosen to forfeit your current nationality to obtain Korean citizenship, follow these detailed steps to ensure a smooth transition.
I. For Those Forfeiting Current Nationality
Step I.1: Initial Processing After Receiving 귀화증서 (Naturalization Certificate)
Processing Time:
- Wait approximately 4 weeks for your application to be processed after receiving your 귀화증서.
Visit the Correct Office:
- Go to the 시.군.읍.면 주민센터 or 구청 where you registered your address when applying for Korean citizenship. (Note: The 동 주민센터 will not work!)
- Your 등기준지 (registered address) is permanent and will not change even if you move in the future.
Step I.1.1: Request Issuance of a 기본증명서(상세) (Detailed Basic Certificate)
Visit the 증명서 Counter:
- Inform the staff that you need a "Basic Certificate - Detailed version" (기본증명서 (상세)).
- If asked for your 주민등록번호 (Resident Registration Number), indicate that you do not have it yet.
Provide Identification:
- Give your Korean name as listed on the nationality notice and your registration address (이름 및 등록기준지).
Address Verification:
- If your application lists the address in 지번 format, read it as 지번 to the staff.
- If listed in 도로 format, read it as 도로.
After obtaining the 기본증명서 certificate, proceed to the next step.
Step I.1.2: Renounce Your Current Citizenship at Your Embassy in Korea
Required Documents:
- 기본증명서(상세) (Detailed Basic Certificate)
- 대한민국 귀화증서 (Korean Naturalization Certificate)
- 6 Passport Photos
- Original Passport
- 3 Copies of Notarized Birth Certificate
Note: Required documents may vary by country. Visit your embassy for specific details. This process may take about one year and can be costly (over 1,000,000 won).
Step I.1.3: Submit Documents to the Immigration Office
- 외국국적 포기 확인서 (Certificate of Renunciation of Foreign Nationality)
- 외국국적 볼행사 서약서 (Pledge of Not-to-Use Foreign Nationality)
- Purchase and Submit:
- Buy a 2000 won stamp and sticker, and submit them.
- Document Photocopies:
- Immigration staff will provide a photocopy of the submitted documents.
- Foreigner Card:
- Return your foreigner card immediately or within 30 days by post. Make several copies for your records before returning it.
II. For Those with Dual Nationalities
Step II.2: Initial Processing After Receiving 귀화증서 (Naturalization Certificate)
Fill and Submit the Form:
- Complete the "Pledge of Not-to-Use Foreign Nationality in Korea" (외국국적 불행사 서약서) and mail it to the immigration office. The form can be downloaded from hikorea.go.kr.
Processing Time:
- Wait approximately 4 weeks for the application to be processed.
Certificate Retrieval:
- Visit 정부24 (https://gov.kr) to print your 외국국적 불행사 서약서 certificate.
You submit 주민등록증, 주민등록초본, fill out the name change request form according to school regulations. Contact your school's student management office to receive the form because each school is different.
If you work for a company, you can submit 주민등록초본 (외국인등록번호 포함) and 기본증명서 (상세) to the company.
If you are self-employed, you need to go to 국민연금공단, 국민건강보험공단, 고용보험공단 to change the corresponding insurance types.
Note: when changing your name and identification number, your previous tax and insurance data will not be transferred to the new name. You need to keep documents proving that you have a foreigner's number and foreigner's name (주민등록초본 has a foreigner's number, 법무부's certificate of naturalization has a foreigner's name and number) until the next tax settlement period. to get documents directly at the tax department (you cannot withdraw online yourself because when you change your name at the bank, the old certificate 인증서 will be canceled)
At the beginning of the next year: tax finalization
When settling taxes, if you have changed your name at the bank as mentioned above, your tax settlement will go more smoothly: your card transactions in the foreigner's name will be transferred to your Korean name. You just need to settle taxes using your Korean name
However, you should still go to the tax office to withdraw a tax refund document in the name of a foreigner (bring a copy of 주민등록초본 상세 containing the name and identification number of the foreigner to prove identity). After withdrawing this paper, compare it with the tax refund document in Korean. If there is any missing amount, you can submit it along with the tax finalization document to the company.
If you hold two nationalities and do not change your name at the bank, you need to go through that procedure because according to regulations in Korea, you must use Korean nationality and cannot use foreign nationality for transactions. However, because the name change process is quite long, you will have to tell the company that it does not need to finalize taxes for you and you must finalize taxes yourself in May.
Other questions
For more detailed information, you can call 1345 외국인종합안내센터, which has instructions in 18 different languages to support you.
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