F-2-7 Is Not a Spouse Visa

Overview

Many people search for an "F-2-7 spouse visa", but F-2-7 (points-based talent) is not a visa for spouses; it is the residence status granted to the talent holder personally. The holder's spouse and minor children are treated as family members who receive a separate status: Residence (F-2-71) if the income requirement is met, otherwise visit-cohabitation. It is also a different route from the marriage-migrant status (F-6) that comes from marrying a Korean national.

This article explains which status family members hold, how that status depends on the main holder's requirements, and what applies to a child born in Korea. The holder's own extension requirements and denial reasons are covered in other articles, so only the parts relevant to family stay are noted here. Where no specific standard is set, the article says to confirm with your Immigration Office.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Statuses received by the F-2-7 holder's spouse and minor children (Residence F-2-71, visit-cohabitation) and how they relate to the main holder's requirements
• Requirements and documents for a child born in Korea, and the link when the main holder is denied
• The holder's own score and extension details, marriage-migrant (F-6) requirements and case-by-case outcome forecasts are not covered

Who Qualifies

• People who searched for an "F-2-7 spouse visa" and are unsure that F-2-7 is the holder's own status
• Foreign spouses who plan to come to or stay in Korea with a partner who holds F-2-7
• F-2-7 holders who want their minor children to stay with them
• F-2-7 holders whose child was born in Korea and who want to know which status the child receives

Required Documents

• Extension of F-2-71 or F-3-18: submit the basic documents and the documents for the points assessment. If you have not stayed abroad for 6 months or more in a row since obtaining the points-based residence status, the overseas criminal record certificate may be omitted.
• Application documents for a child born in Korea: application form (Annex Form No. 34), passport, one standard photo, fee, birth certificate and family-relationship documents
• Documents about the main holder: copies of the passport and ARC of the F-2-7 holder and the spouse, the F-2-7 holder's employment contract or certificate of employment, and the documents submitted when residence status was granted
• Other documents: proof of residence, letter of guarantee, tuberculosis confirmation (where applicable)
• To confirm: whether the main holder's annual income is at or above the prior-year GNI per capita (the line between F-2-71 and visit-cohabitation). The calculation method follows the annual income method in the change-of-status section, so confirm with your Immigration Office

Application Process

1. Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
2. Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
3. Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
4. File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
5. Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
6. Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.

Key Points

• The notation differs by procedure. For extensions and visa issuance, visit-cohabitation is labeled F-3-18, while for change of status it is written as visit-cohabitation (F-1) with the spouse status as F-1-12. Which sub-code applies to you now should be confirmed with your Immigration Office.
• Only when the income requirement is met can accompanying family members receive Residence (F-2-71) and then work, and only in the work activities listed in the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act. Family members who stay as visit-cohabitation because the income requirement is not met are prohibited from work and any profit-making activity. Some exceptions, such as foreign-language conversation instructor (E-2), need permission for activities outside the status in advance, so ask your Immigration Office first.
• If the main holder's (F-2-7) extension is denied, the extension of the spouse and minor children is denied too. A person denied an extension who meets the requirements of another status may apply to change to it. Also, if a visit-cohabitation (F-3-18) holder meets the main holder's income requirement at extension review, the existing extension application must be switched to a change-of-status application for the F-2-71 review to proceed.
• A child born in Korea to a parent who entered on a short-term status (B-1, B-2, C-3) is not granted a long-term status and must leave, obtain the relevant visa and re-enter. If the parent holds a short-term visa, Other (G-1), working holiday (H-1) and similar statuses, the parent requirement is not met.
• Approval is decided by the Immigration Office's review. Confirm any revision and how it applies to your case with your Immigration Office.
• Documents issued in Korea must normally be dated within 3 months unless another validity period applies.
• Documents already on file in your alien registration record need not be resubmitted.
• Health certificates, drug test results and pre-employment medical reports must be submitted sealed by the issuing hospital (do not open).
• You must be in Korea when applying; leaving the country after filing may result in refusal.
• Screening fees are non-refundable once the application is accepted.
• The head of the Immigration Office may add or waive documents where necessary for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

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