Contents
1. How to Prepare for an Administrative Appeal or Administrative Lawsuit After a Special Naturalization Rejection
2. Everything You need to Check for Naturalization Application
3. Why Should You Apply for Naturalization with Majung?
1. How to Prepare for an Administrative Appeal or Administrative Lawsuit After a Special Naturalization Rejection
If you wish to settle in Korea and establish your identity as a Korean citizen, applying for naturalization may be a path to consider.
Before beginning the naturalization process, it's essential to clearly understand the requirements and procedures, and to thoroughly prepare all necessary documents.
In particular, special naturalization tends to have stricter screening criteria compared to general naturalization, and filing an application does not guarantee approval.
Even if you meet the legal requirements, you may still be denied due to unexpected reasons.
Recently, Majung, a law firm specializing in foreign nationals, received a consultation request from someone who had been denied special naturalization.
The client, who has been living with a Korean spouse and Korean child, applied for naturalization but was denied due to a previous non-contact traffic incident (caused by a traffic signal violation), which resulted in a suspended prosecution.
Believing that the rejection was overly harsh given the circumstances, the client requested legal support for an administrative appeal.
As seen in this case, naturalization evaluations consider not only legal eligibility but also behavior and law-abiding conduct.
A record of legal violations, even minor ones, can be grounds for rejection.
However, if the circumstances are explained properly, and if there is genuine remorse and mitigating factors, the applicant may seek a new judgment through an administrative appeal or lawsuit.
Just like the case above, Majung, a law firm specializing in foreign nationals, offers legal assistance for those experiencing difficulties in the naturalization process due to various incidents or legal issues.
2. Everything You need to Check for Naturalization Application
① About the Requirements for Special Naturalization
Foreign nationals who have never acquired Korean nationality can obtain it through the naturalization process.
There are three types of naturalization in Korea: General Naturalization, Simplified Naturalization, and Special Naturalization.
Among them, special naturalization is a system where certain requirements are relaxed if specific conditions are met.
What is Special Naturalization?
Special naturalization is a process through which nationality may be granted to a foreigner who:
Has a father or mother who is a Korean national,
Has made a notable contribution to Korea, or
Possesses exceptional abilities and is deemed to contribute to the national interest.
This system is implemented with the goal of attracting individuals who can contribute to Korea’s development and enhance national competitiveness.
To apply for special naturalization, certain qualifications must be met.
The applicant must meet at least one of the conditions listed below and must reside in Korea.
Eligibility for Special Naturalization
The applicant must reside in Korea and meet at least one of the following:
A person whose father or mother is a Korean national, and who has a registered address in Korea.
(However, those adopted as adults under the Korean Civil Act are excluded.)
A person who has made a special contribution to Korea and resides in the country.
A person with outstanding ability in fields such as science, economy, culture, or sports, who is expected to contribute to the national interest, and who has a registered address in Korea.
In this article, we will focus on two of the three special naturalization categories:
Individuals whose parent (father or mother) is a Korean national
Individuals who have made a special contribution to Korea
② Special Naturalization for Children of a Korean Father or Mother
To apply for special naturalization as the child of a Korean father or mother, both general requirements and additional specific conditions must be met.
In addition to the standard eligibility requirements, the most important additional criteria include:
Good moral character,
Korean language proficiency, and
An understanding of Korean customs and culture.
If an applicant displays poor conduct or lacks the ability to understand or speak Korean, the naturalization application may be rejected.
Furthermore, unless exempt, all applicants must pass:
The Social Integration Program Comprehensive Evaluation, and
An interview assessment.
The only exemption from these evaluations applies to applicants under the age of 15.
These evaluations are designed to assess whether the applicant can successfully adapt to Korean society, respect its culture and laws, and positively contribute to the country and community.
Additional Eligibility Criteria for Special Naturalization (as a child of a Korean parent)
To apply under this category, the applicant must meet the general requirements for naturalization and one of the following additional conditions:
A child of a person who was naturalized or regained Korean nationality
A minor adopted child (at the time of adoption) (Note: Adults adopted after reaching legal age must apply for simplified naturalization instead)
A person born before June 13, 1998, under paternal lineage law, from a legally married foreign father and Korean mother
An adult child born out of a common-law relationship between a Korean father and foreign mother, who has been acknowledged by the father
If these conditions are met, the individual may apply for naturalization under this special category.
③ Required Documents for Naturalization Application
When applying for naturalization, the following key documents are required.
Documents Required for Naturalization Application:
- Naturalization Application Form
- Family Relationship Notification Form (a handwritten form to be submitted to the Supreme Court)
- Copy of Passport
- One Photo
- National ID from your home country
- Criminal Record from your home country
(Must be apostilled or verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Korean consulate)
- Documents proving you are the child of a Korean national
- Birth certificate from your home country, notarized family relationship documents, or court rulings proving biological relationship
- DNA Test Results
- Basic Certificate, Marriage Certificate, and Family Relationship Certificate of the Korean parent
- Application fee: 300,000 KRW
Applicants must prepare these documents and submit them to the local immigration office. If the applicant has minor children, their naturalization applications can be submitted together with the parent's.
As of January 2025, the naturalization review period for children of naturalized citizens is reported to be approximately 19 months, highlighting the importance of carefully preparing all required documents.
During the review period, the process may be delayed due to reasons such as extended stays abroad or failure to submit supplementary documents.
If you find it difficult to prepare the necessary paperwork, it is recommended to seek help from a specialized administrative officer experienced in assisting foreign nationals.
Finally, once the naturalization is approved, the applicant must attend the oath of allegiance and nationality certificate ceremony in order to officially acquire Korean citizenship.
④ Special Naturalization for Those with Distinguished Merits to the Nation (National Meritorious Persons)
In principle, foreign nationals must meet the general requirements for naturalization as stipulated in Article 5 of the Nationality Act.
However, for certain individuals—such as descendants of independence patriots—some requirements, such as the period of residence, can be waived under the special naturalization system.
Compared to general naturalization, special naturalization for meritorious persons may waive or relax the following conditions:
- Length of stay in Korea
- Immigration status (permanent residency not required)
- Proof of livelihood capability
- Even minors may apply
Let’s take a look at the eligibility for special naturalization for individuals with distinguished contributions to Korea.
Who qualifies as a person with “special contributions to Korea”?
A person is considered to have made special contributions to the Republic of Korea if:
A. They themselves, or their spouse or direct ascendant/descendant, are recognized as an Independence Meritorious Person under Article 4 of the Act on the Honorable Treatment of and Support for Independence Activists;
B. They are recognized as a National Meritorious Person under Article 4 of the Act on the Honorable Treatment of and Support for Persons of Distinguished Services to the State;
C. They have received a national medal, order of merit, or official commendation from the Korean government.
Required Documents for Special Naturalization (Distinguished Contributions)
- Naturalization Application Form
- Copy of Passport
- Documents proving meritorious status, including:
- Copies of awards, medals, or commendation certificates (originals must be presented for verification)
- Meritorious records issued by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs or available online
- Notarized documents proving relationship to the meritorious person
(must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Additional evidence such as family registry, family tree, photos, genealogy, etc.
- Documents required for family registration records
As outlined above, the special naturalization system plays an important role in granting Korean nationality to foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to Korea, or those with Korean lineage through a Korean father or mother.
This system helps Korea attract highly capable individuals in various fields and enhances the nation's global competitiveness.
While the process and requirements for special naturalization can be somewhat complex and strict, thorough preparation and complete submission of all required documents are essential.
Since the review evaluates whether the applicant can positively contribute to Korean society, it’s important to fully understand the criteria and prepare accordingly.
3. Why Should You Apply for Naturalization with Majung?
If you want a new beginning in South Korea, naturalization may be the way to realize that dream.
The procedures and requirements for naturalization can be relatively complex and strict. If you are considering applying for naturalization, thorough preparation and accurate submission of documents are essential.
Since there are many documents to prepare during the naturalization process, trying to handle everything alone may lead to unexpected challenges.
If you receive a rejection for special naturalization, you may need to proceed with administrative appeals or litigation, making it wise to seek professional assistance.
With expert advice and systematic preparation, your chances of approval increase significantly.
Although there are many administrative offices in Korea that handle nationality-related tasks, it's not easy to find an immigration administrative specialist who systematically handles naturalization cases.
Why should you seek help from an immigration specialist?
General administrative officers handle a wide range of administrative tasks and may lack sufficient expertise in immigration and naturalization procedures.
Since each foreign applicant’s situation is different, the eligibility criteria and required documents may vary. Therefore, it’s important to receive customized support tailored to your circumstances.
There are many cases of special naturalization rejections due to missing documents or insufficient qualifications.
To properly understand the reasons for rejection and to respond appropriately through administrative appeals or legal action, it’s essential to have the legal perspective of a foreign nationality specialist or immigration lawyer.
Majung, a law firm specialized in foreign nationals, is staffed by experts in immigration law who provide professional support for the naturalization process.
By approaching the process more systematically, we help ensure that your naturalization application proceeds smoothly and successfully.
Multilingual consultation available in English and Chinese.
Professional interpreters assist from the first consultation to the conclusion of the case.
Offices in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju
Don’t face the legal system alone. Let Majung fight for you!
