F-2-7 Points-Based Residency Visa Guide Korea 2026

# F-2-7 Points-Based Residency Visa Guide Korea 2026

The F-2-7 Residency Visa is South Korea's points-based long-term stay visa administered by the Ministry of Justice. Unlike most work visas, it places no restrictions on employment, grants a 3-year stay, and opens a direct pathway to F-5 permanent residency. For skilled foreign professionals seeking stable, long-term life in Korea, F-2-7 is one of the most valuable visa categories available.

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1. F-2-7 Visa at a Glance

Item	Details
Visa category	F-2-7 (Residency — Points System)
Stay period	3 years (renewable)
Work restrictions	None (open employment)
Points threshold	80 points out of 120
Path to F-5	Available after 3+ years on F-2-7

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2. Detailed Points Table (120 Points Total)

(1) Age — up to 20 points

Age	Points
25–29	20
30–34	18
35–39	16
40–44	14
45–49	12
18–24 or 50–54	10
55–59	8
60+	5

(2) Education — up to 35 points

Degree	STEM Fields	Humanities / Arts / Other
PhD	35	30
Master's	30	25
Bachelor's	25	20
Associate's (2–3 yr)	20	15

(3) Annual Income — up to 20 points

Annual Income	Points
GNI × 3 or more	20
GNI × 2 to < 3	15
GNI × 1.5 to < 2	10
GNI × 1 to < 1.5	5
Below GNI	0 (ineligible)

(2025 GNI reference: approx. KRW 35,000,000/year)

(4) Korean Language Proficiency — up to 10 points

Level	Points
TOPIK Level 6	10
TOPIK Level 5	8
TOPIK Level 4	6
TOPIK Level 3	5
TOPIK Level 2	3

(5) Length of Stay in Korea — up to 15 points

Stay Period	Points
5 years or more	15
4 to < 5 years	12
3 to < 4 years	9
2 to < 3 years	6
1 to < 2 years	3

(6) Bonus Points — up to +10 points

Korean degree obtained in Korea: +3 points
Social contribution activities: +3 points
Additional credits recognized by the Minister of Justice

(7) Deductions — up to –20 points

Each violation of the Immigration Control Act: –5 points (cumulative)
Unpaid fines or administrative penalties

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3. Basic Eligibility Requirements

All three of the following must be satisfied:

Legal stay: Currently residing in Korea under a valid visa status
Income threshold: Annual income at or above the per-capita GNI (approx. KRW 35,000,000 for 2025)
Minimum stay: At least 1 year of lawful residence in Korea

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4. Required Documents

Document	Notes
Application form for change of stay status (F-2-7)	Available at immigration offices or HiKorea
Valid passport	Preferably 6+ months remaining validity
Alien Registration Card (ARC)	Original required
Degree certificate (with apostille/notarization)	Foreign degrees must be apostilled or notarized
Income documents	Withholding tax receipts, tax payment certificate, etc.
TOPIK score report	Only if claiming Korean proficiency points
Social contribution evidence	Only if claiming bonus points
Passport-sized photo (1 copy)	3.5cm × 4.5cm

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5. How to Apply and Processing Timeline

Online via HiKorea

Apply at www.hikorea.go.kr:

Select "Change of Stay Status" and choose F-2-7.
Upload all required documents in PDF format.
Pay the application fee and submit.
Track the result online.

Processing Time

Standard: 4–8 weeks (longer if supplementary documents are requested)
Fee: Approximately KRW 100,000 (subject to change; verify before applying)

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6. The Path from F-2-7 to F-5 Permanent Residency

After residing in Korea on the F-2-7 visa for 3 or more consecutive years, you may apply to convert to F-5 (Permanent Residency), provided you:

Still meet the F-2-7 points threshold
Maintain annual income at or above the GNI
Demonstrate domestic assets or tax payment history
Have no disqualifying grounds

> F-5 grants unrestricted employment rights, unlimited stay, and is the ultimate goal for most long-term foreign residents.

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7. Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can anyone apply for the F-2-7 points-based visa?
Any foreign national legally staying in Korea who has resided for at least 1 year and earns an annual income at or above the per-capita GNI may apply — provided they score 80 or more points out of 120.

Q. Is a TOPIK score mandatory for the F-2-7 application?
No. TOPIK is worth up to 10 points, but it is not a requirement. If you can reach 80 points through age, education, income, and other categories, you may apply without a TOPIK score.

Q. Can F-2-7 holders eventually obtain F-5 permanent residency?
Yes. After legally residing in Korea on the F-2-7 visa for 3 or more years and meeting the applicable requirements, you may apply to convert to F-5 (permanent residency).

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Free Consultation

Vision Administrative Scrivener Office — F-2-7 Points Visa Specialists

From calculating your score and preparing documents to managing the full application and F-5 conversion — our licensed scriveners handle everything.

Tel. 02-363-2251
E. 5000meter@gmail.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–17:30 KST / Closed on Saturdays and public holidays

Request Free Consultation →

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FAQ

Q. Can anyone apply for the F-2-7 points-based visa?

A. Any foreign national legally staying in Korea who has resided for at least 1 year and earns an annual income at or above the per-capita GNI may apply — provided they score 80 or more points out of 120.

Q. Is a TOPIK score mandatory for the F-2-7 application?

A. No. TOPIK is worth up to 10 points, but it is not a requirement. If you can reach 80 points through age, education, income, and other categories, you may apply without a TOPIK score.

Q. Can F-2-7 holders eventually obtain F-5 permanent residency?

A. Yes. After legally residing in Korea on the F-2-7 visa for 3 or more years and meeting the applicable requirements, you may apply to convert to F-5 (permanent residency).