Korea F-2-7 Points Visa: Complete 2026 Guide
The F-2-7 visa (Long-Term Residency) is Korea's points-based system for highly-skilled foreign residents. It offers a pathway to long-term residence and eventually permanent residency (F-5).
What is the F-2-7 Visa?
The F-2-7 is designed for highly-qualified foreign professionals who have been living in Korea. Unlike other visas, you apply from within Korea after accumulating points based on your qualifications and contributions to Korean society.
Who Can Apply?
You must be currently residing in Korea and fall under one of these categories:
- Employees of KOSPI/KOSDAQ-listed companies or promising-industry sectors
- Professionals holding E-1 through E-7-1 or D-5 through D-9 status (generally 3+ years of continuous lawful stay, waived at an annual income of KRW 40 million or more)
- Graduates of a Korean master's program or higher (within 5 years of graduation, working or confirmed to work in an eligible job)
- Potential talent (F-2-7S): science/engineering master's or PhD graduates with a university president's recommendation
F-2-7 Points Table (2026)
| Category | Max Points | |----------|-----------| | Age (18-24: 23pts, 25-29: 25pts, 30-34: 23pts, 35-39: 20pts, 40-44: 12pts, 45-50: 8pts, 51+: 3pts) | 25 | | Education (PhD: 20-25pts, Master's: 17-20pts, Bachelor's: 15-17pts; higher for STEM or 2+ degrees) | 25 | | Korean Language (TOPIK) (TOPIK Level 5+ or KIIP Stage 5: 20pts, Level 4: 15pts, Level 3: 10pts) | 20 | | Annual Income (KRW 100M+: 60pts, 50-60M: 45pts, 30-40M: 30pts; scaled by bracket) | 60 | | Bonus / Deduction items (e.g., Korean degrees, Social Integration Program, volunteer work; deductions for violations) | Bonus up to 40 | | Total required to qualify | 80 points |
Required Documents
- Passport and Alien Registration Card (ARC)
- Degree certificate (documents issued abroad need an apostille or consular verification, with a translation)
- TOPIK certificate (if applicable)
- Income amount certificate issued by the tax office
- Employment contract or certificate of employment
- Application form + photos
Key Benefits of the F-2-7
- Stay period set by score: extensions are granted for 1 to 5 years depending on total points or income score
- Work in most fields (employment in legally restricted fields is excluded)
- Path to F-5 permanent residency after 3+ years of continuous F-2-7 stay (income or asset requirements also apply)
- Spouse and minor children may stay as F-2-71 or F-3-18, depending on the main holder's income
Processing Time
- Standard: varies by local Immigration Office
- Document preparation: depends on the authentication required
VISAS KOREA F-2-7 Service
Our team calculates your exact score and identifies every point you qualify for.