Marriage immigrants to get permanent residence status

Permanent resident status will go to foreign nationals married to Koreans before the former apply for Korean citizenship to prevent abuse of marriage immigration and allow such immigrants to comfortably settle in Korea.

The government concluded Friday the implementation plan for its 2011 policy on foreign nationals. Twelve ministers attended a meeting to that end chaired by Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik.

Foreign nationals married to Koreans can apply for citizenship if they reside in Korea for two years under the F-2 spousal visa. Because two to three years of residence is required to obtain Korean citizenship after applying for naturalization, foreign nationals need four to five years to get citizenship after tying the knot with Koreans.

The Justice Ministry plans to grant permanent residency under the F-5 visa to foreign spouses instead of eliminating the F-2 residency status or reducing the period to about a year. The revision will be introduced to the National Assembly in March.

“Unlike the F-2 status that requires periodic reviews of stay, permanent residency allows marriage immigrants to live in a more stable condition in Korea while preventing them from divorcing after gaining citizenship,” a ministry official said.

Permanent residents are entitled to the same welfare benefits as citizens but are limited in suffrage. Around 130,000 marriage immigrants live in Korea with the F-2 visa.

The government from this year will also cover all kindergarten fees for some 28,000 children from multicultural families. Assistance for living expenses and education fees will also be raised for marriage immigrants who raise young children but have yet to acquire Korean citizenship.

Marriage immigrants in farming areas will be eligible for agricultural training.

A Korean national interested in or planning to marry a foreign spouse must take classes on international marriage at one of 14 immigration offices across the country.

At the Friday meeting, certain participants urged the establishment of an immigration ministry specializing in policies for foreign nationals and immigrants. Prime Minister Kim instructed relevant agencies to hold close consultations on the proposal.

ceric@donga.com