There are many individuals residing in South Korea with their Vietnamese spouses. As time goes by, many of these couples decide to apply for permanent residency or citizenship. In this article, we’ll guide you through the necessary procedures and documents required for the citizenship application process.
1. Requirements for Applying for Citizenship Through Marriage
If you have lived with your Vietnamese spouse in South Korea for over two years, you become eligible to apply for Korean citizenship. Fortunately, the financial requirements for this process are relatively modest. You generally need to have assets worth around 30 million KRW (approximately $25,000 USD) to meet the financial criteria.
2. Obtaining a Criminal Record Certificate from Vietnam
2.1 Differences in the Issuance Process: Past vs. Present
In the past, obtaining a criminal record certificate in Vietnam was fairly straightforward; family members in Vietnam could easily acquire it by submitting identification and household registration documents. However, with modernization and digitalization, the process has become more complex. Now, you’ll need to secure a power of attorney through the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea to proceed.
3. Drafting a Power of Attorney and Required Documents
To draft the power of attorney, you will need the following documents:
- Your Vietnamese spouse’s passport and ID
- Your foreign registration card
- The names, birthdates, addresses, and phone numbers of your spouse’s parents
Once you have these documents prepared, you’ll need to write the content authorizing someone to apply for the criminal record certificate on your behalf. Writing this in Vietnamese could save you translation costs.
3.1 Procedure for Issuing the Criminal Record Certificate
After drafting and signing the power of attorney, you will need to have it notarized, along with obtaining consular authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy. Once you’ve completed these steps, you can send the documents to Vietnam so that your spouse’s parents can obtain the criminal record certificate.
4. Translation and Notarization Procedures When Applying for Citizenship
Once you receive the criminal record certificate from Vietnam, it is crucial to have it translated and notarized in South Korea. The translated document is a mandatory part of your citizenship application, and the credentials of the translator must be verified.
5. Additional Documents for Health Insurance Benefits
If your Vietnamese spouse wants to access health insurance benefits in South Korea, a family relationship certificate is required. This document must also undergo translation and notarization and should be completed by a certified translator to ensure accuracy.
6. Cost Considerations and Important Notes
During the citizenship application process, you may incur various costs, including translation fees, notarization fees, and embassy service charges. Typically, these expenses will be borne by the Korean spouse, so it’s vital to prepare financially.
Conclusion
Although the process for applying for Korean citizenship after marrying a Vietnamese spouse has become more intricate over the years, careful preparation can help navigate it smoothly. We hope this guide proves helpful to many in similar situations.