Is it possible for foreign residents to adopt a child in Korea, and what is the process involved?

Foreign residents can adopt in Korea but the process is restrictive and slow. The main legal route is through the Family Court (가정법원) under the Special Adoption Act, and you generally need to hold an F-2, F-5, or F-6 visa with at least three years of stable residence in Korea. Both partners must be over 25, married for at least three years, and pass financial and home environment evaluations.

The practical process starts with one of the four authorized agencies: Eastern Social Welfare Society, Holt Children's Services, Korea Social Services, or Korea Welfare Services. They handle the home study, parenting education (about 28 hours required), and matching. Expect 1.5 to 3 years from application to placement. International adoption to take a child outside Korea is essentially closed under the 2023 Hague Convention reforms, so most foreign adoptions now happen domestically with the child remaining in Korea. The Ministry of Health and Welfare website has the current English guidelines, and Holt is the most foreigner-friendly agency to start with.