How to Improve Your F-2-7 Points Score in Korea 2026 — Age, Income, Language & Certifications
A practical breakdown of each scoring category for Korea's F-2-7 points-based residency visa, with real strategies to reach 80 points.
1. Scoring Overview
The F-2-7 visa uses a 170-point system (common scoring 130 points + bonus up to +40 / deductions up to −70). A minimum of 80 points is required to apply.
Category
Max Points
Age
25
Education
25
Korean proficiency
20
Annual income
60
Common total
130
Bonus points
up to +40
Deductions
up to −70
2. Age — Fixed, But Sets Your Strategy
Age points cannot be changed. Use the remaining categories to compensate.
Age
Points
25–29
25
18–24 or 30–34
23
35–39
20
40–44
12
45–50
8
51 or older
3
Applicants in the older age bands score less for age, so income, Korean ability, and bonus points matter more.
3. Income — The Highest-Weighted Category (Max 60 pts)
Annual income is taken from the most recent income certificate you can submit (issued by a tax office), using the taxable income stated for its latest year. No income evidence, no employment, or below minimum wage scores 0.
Annual Income
Points
100 million KRW or more
60
90 million KRW or more
58
80 million KRW or more
56
70 million KRW or more
53
60 million KRW or more
50
50 million KRW or more
45
40 million KRW or more
40
30 million KRW or more
30
Minimum wage or more
10
Below minimum wage
0
4. Korean Proficiency — TOPIK or KIIP (Max 20 pts)
TOPIK exam levels or KIIP (Social Integration Program — 사회통합프로그램) completion stages both qualify.
Level
Points
TOPIK Level 5–6 / KIIP Stage 5
20
TOPIK Level 4 / KIIP Stage 4
15
TOPIK Level 3 / KIIP Stage 3
10
TOPIK Level 2 / KIIP Stage 2
5
TOPIK Level 1 / KIIP Stage 1
3
Korean ability is scored by TOPIK level or KIIP stage.
5. Education — STEM Bonus (Max 25 pts)
Degree
STEM / Double major
Humanities / Arts / Other
PhD
25
20
Master's
20
17
Bachelor's
17
15
Associate's (vocational)
15
10
6. Bonus Points (up to +40 pts)
Bonus Category
Points
Recommended by a central government agency as an outstanding talent from a Korean War participating country
20
KIIP Stage 5 completion
10
PhD from top-ranked overseas university
30
PhD obtained in Korea
10
Master's from top-ranked overseas university
20
Master's obtained in Korea
7
Bachelor's from top-ranked overseas university
15
Bachelor's obtained in Korea
5
Volunteering for 3 years or more (18+ sessions and 150+ hours)
7
Volunteering for under 3 years (12+ sessions and 100+ hours)
5
Volunteering for under 2 years (6+ sessions and 50+ hours; under 1 year is not counted)
1
7. Deductions to Watch (up to −70 pts)
Violation
Deduction
Immigration Control Act violation / fine 3M KRW or more / forced departure
To improve further: achieve TOPIK 5 (+5) or increase income to 60M KRW or more (+5).
FAQ
Q. What is the passing score for F-2-7?
A. The threshold is 80 points out of 170 total (common 130 points + bonus/deduction adjustments). Confirm with your local immigration office before applying.
Q. Does TOPIK score expire?
A. The F-2-7 score table in the manual does not state a validity period for TOPIK scores; it only lists the TOPIK level or KIIP stage and the points for each. Check with your Immigration Office whether your certificate is accepted before filing.
Q. How do I prove volunteer hours?
A. The manual's score table does not name an issuing body for volunteer records, so check with your immigration office before filing. The bonus is 7 points for 3 years or more (18+ sessions and 150+ hours), 5 points for under 3 years (12+ sessions and 100+ hours) and 1 point for under 2 years (6+ sessions and 50+ hours); records covering under 1 year earn nothing.
Q. How do I prepare the score sheet and the supporting documents?
A. Under the manual, the points-assessment documents are the score sheet listing the points you claim (Annex 2) and the documents proving each item you entered (Annex 3). Income is proved by the latest tax-office income certificate you can submit, education by the degree certificate (completion without a degree is excluded; accepted only if the issuing institution can confirm issuance), and Korean ability by TOPIK or a KIIP stage. First check that the points on your sheet match the evidence.
Q. How should I prepare a degree or certificate issued overseas?
A. Documents issued by an overseas body need an apostille or consular confirmation from a Korean mission, with a Korean or English translation attached, and are valid for 3 months from issue. Documents you have already submitted that the examiner can view through the internal system may be omitted, so confirm with your Immigration Office whether yours qualify.
Q. Do I always have to submit an overseas criminal record certificate?
A. An overseas criminal record certificate is part of the basic documents, and at extension it is submitted only if you stayed abroad for 6 months or more. For a change of status, the exemptions listed include a person born in Korea who has not stayed abroad for 6 months or more continuously; anyone who stayed abroad 6 months or more submits a certificate from the government of the country of stay for that period. Check before filing whether you are exempt.
Q. What if I change jobs or need to leave Korea while preparing my application?
A. The manual states that a foreigner applying for stay permission must be in Korea, and that leaving after applying may lead to denial. It also says holders of a status that permits work (including Residence F-2) report their occupation at alien registration, at each stay-permission application and when their occupation changes, and fill in the annual income field of the application form. If a job change or trip is coming, check the timing of your filing with your Immigration Office first.
