Hello, this is Taegang Law Firm.
We’d like to share a case involving a marriage visa for one of the most difficult countries to get approval from: Pakistan.
The Pakistani spouse had a history of illegal stay and was once issued a refugee visa (G1) in Korea, making it nearly impossible to obtain a marriage visa. The couple had already been denied once. As many of you preparing for international marriages may know, if your marriage visa is denied, you must wait six months before reapplying. This couple also waited six months after the initial refusal, but due to the strict visa policies at the Korean embassy in Pakistan at the time, they ended up waiting over a year before finally receiving approval.
Korean Wife ♥ Pakistani Husband
💡 Marriage Visa Process
🏷️ Chapter 1. Marriage Registration in Both Countries
Due to terrorism in Pakistan, the groom faced difficulty living a normal life and entered Korea with the help of a visa consultant on a short-term visit visa. Life in Korea without any support system was also challenging, and eventually, he became an illegal resident. During his illegal stay, he discovered the refugee visa and was able to obtain one after paying a fine. The couple met during his legal stay with the refugee visa, developed a serious relationship, and decided to get married. To continue their life together in Korea, they needed a marriage visa.
They first registered their marriage in Korea, traveled together to Pakistan for a wedding ceremony and family introduction, and completed the marriage registration in Pakistan. Preparing the visa documents personally seemed overwhelming, so they decided to hire a professional visa documentation service.
Depending on the country, some require marriage registration in both countries for a marriage visa, while others only require registration in Korea. The process and required documents vary depending on the nationality and situation of the foreign spouse, so it’s important to be well-informed.
🏷️ Chapter 2. Marriage Visa Denial
As mentioned earlier, the couple was initially denied a marriage visa for reason number 11 out of 11 listed possible denial reasons — “other reasons.” However, the embassy did not clearly explain the reason, and it was rumored that the Korean Embassy in Pakistan had been rejecting nearly all marriage visa applications under “other reasons,” especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They could reapply after six months, but since all submitted documents must be issued within three months of the application date, they had to prepare every document from scratch again.
🏷️ Chapter 3. Reapplication and Visa Approval
They carefully met all income, housing, and language requirements. Along with the couple's personal petition, they submitted letters from family and friends and dozens of photos showing their relationship. While previous illegal stay cannot be excused, they were able to prove the authenticity of their marriage, which led to visa approval.
Depending on the situation in the foreign spouse’s country, visa approval or denial may be affected. If there are any disqualifying factors for either spouse, it is even more important to thoroughly prepare the documentation. All visa documents must be submitted as originals and must be issued within three months of the visa application date.
