Residency
South Korea — Residency: Permanent Residency
Korean F-5 permanent residence is reachable from point-based F-2 after three years or through income of 70% of GNI per capita, with KIIP level 4 or an 81-point pre-assessment for basic knowledge.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceMinistry of Justice — Visa Navigator (F-5 permanent residence)Last reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- Holders of point-based F-2 status can move to F-5 after three years if they still meet the point system.
- Basic knowledge is met by completing KIIP level 4 or higher, or an 81-point pre-assessment score.
- An applicant with annual income of 70% or more of the previous year GNI per capita can qualify; family income can be pooled but the applicant own income or assets must be at least 50% of the standard.
- The current F-2-7 point table and GNI figure were not captured, so confirm them on HiKorea.
Steps
- Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements — Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements set by the Korean government, including language proficiency (Korean language level 3 or higher), income, and health checks.
- Step 2: Gather Required Documents — Applicants must submit various documents, such as a valid passport, proof of income, health insurance, and other required documents as specified by the Korean government.
- Step 3: Apply for Permanent Residency — Applicants must submit their application and documents to the Korean government and wait for processing.