Renunciation of Foreign Nationality or Pledge Not to Exercise Foreign Nationality (외국국적불행사 서약)
This page is machine translated from Ieumi's guide written in Korean. If the meaning is confusing, please look at the Korean original text. View original text (Korean)
You must complete this within 1 year after acquiring Korean nationality.
📌 Key points
Until you complete this process, treatment as a Korean national in matters such as entry/exit, stay, resident registration, and passport issuance may be restricted (Enforcement Decree of the Nationality Act, Article 14). This applies even if you have received your certificate of nationality.
🔢 Do these in order
- The date you receive your certificate of nationality is the date you acquired nationality. The 1-year period is counted from that day.
- Choose one of two paths — renounce your original nationality, or pledge "not to exercise foreign nationality in the Republic of Korea." Who may substitute the pledge is specifically defined.
- If you renounce your nationality, obtain a certificate of renunciation of nationality issued by your home country's consul or relevant official, and submit it to the Minister of Justice without delay.
- If you make the pledge, do so while your address is in Korea, filling out the pledge of non-exercise of foreign nationality and submitting it to the relevant immigration office (출입국·외국인관서).
- After completing this process, you may register your residence and be issued a passport. Your alien registration card must be returned.
📍 Where to go
The nationality desk at your immigration office (appointment required)
⚠️ Things to watch out for
Marriage immigrants, outstanding talents, and permanent returnees aged 65 or older can sign a 'Pledge Not to Exercise Foreign Nationality (외국국적불행사 서약)' instead of renouncing their nationality. If you are confused about the process, call 1345.
❗ What happens if you don't
This cannot be undone
After 1 year, you will lose your Korean nationality.
If it is already late
If 1 year has already passed, please do not leave it as it is; contact the nationality section of the immigration office right away. Depending on your circumstances, you may be guided to the procedure for reinstatement of nationality. Please do not judge this alone — ask 1345 first.
What to bring
Basis
- 국적법 제10조(국적 취득자의 외국 국적 포기 의무) 제1항·제2항 (법제처 — 현행 판(시행 2022-10-01 그대로) 2026-10-05 대조)
- 국적법 시행령 제11조(외국 국적의 포기방식 등) 제1항·제3항 (법제처 국가법령정보센터 — 현행 판(시행 2022-12-20 그대로) 2026-10-05 대조)
- 국적법 시행령 제14조(외국 국적 미포기자 등에 대한 처우 제한) (법제처 국가법령정보센터 — 현행 판(시행 2022-12-20 그대로) 2026-10-05 대조)
This content was checked on 2026-09-08.