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Thailand is one of the countries with the highest number of international marriages in Korea. However, it also has a high rate of visa overstays.
Because of this, the Thai Embassy tends to be very strict with marriage visa screenings.
Applicants from Thailand must prepare visa documents more meticulously than usual, and if they have a history of illegal stay, they must submit additional documents proving the genuineness of the marriage on top of the required ones.
Korean Husband ♥ Thai Wife
💡 Marriage Visa Process
🏷️ Chapter 1. Marriage Registration in Korea & Voluntary Departure
The Thai wife initially entered Korea on a tourist visa but later engaged in unauthorized work and overstayed her visa. She met her Korean husband through a chat app, and their relationship grew as they started dating and eventually living together. After a year of peaceful cohabitation without conflicts, they decided to get married.
To live together legally in Korea, they needed to apply for a marriage visa. They decided to proceed with voluntary departure. Since the foreign spouse’s passport is required for marriage registration, they completed the Korean marriage registration before leaving. They also reported her overstay during the self-report period and then voluntarily departed from Korea.
🏷️ Chapter 2. Marriage Registration in Thailand
Technically, registering the marriage only in Korea is enough to apply for a visa. However, some countries, including Thailand, may require registration in both countries to accept and approve the application.
If there is a record of overstay, deportation, or entry ban, dual registration can help strengthen the case for marriage visa approval.
As previously mentioned, Thailand has a high rate of visa overstays. Since Korea does not allow polygamy, registering the marriage in Korea alone may still allow the Thai spouse to marry again within Thailand. Therefore, registering the marriage in both countries is essential to clearly prove the authenticity of the relationship.
🏷️ Chapter 3. Marriage Visa Application
Due to the high number of Thai nationals applying for marriage visas, the processing period at the time was around six months.
In this case, the couple submitted their application in May, and the visa was granted in December. Despite the overstay record, the couple thoroughly prepared all supporting documents — including income verification, proof of residence, Korean language ability, and relationship photos — and were granted the visa on the first try.
While overstaying is strongly discouraged under any circumstance, if there is a prior violation, it is essential to prepare more proactively and comprehensively.
If a foreigner has previously overstayed, it is quite possible that their visa will be denied at least once. Therefore, it is advisable to plan for the possibility of multiple attempts. Since overstaying is a violation of Korean law, applicants should demonstrate a sincere attitude of reflection and repentance through multiple applications.
If a marriage visa is denied, the applicant must wait six months before reapplying, so it is important to prepare mentally and allow ample time when planning the visa process — even after voluntary departure.
