Overview
Extending an F-2-7 (points-based talent) stay is separate from the original change-of-status review: the Immigration Office looks again at your score, income and stay record at the time of extension. The manual sets a total of 80 points or more as the basic requirement and grants the stay period in tiers using whichever is more favorable to the applicant, the total score or the annual income score.
So for an extension, the first step is not to rebuild the score sheet but to check your current score, current income (unemployed or at or below minimum wage), and your family members' status. This article follows the Ministry of Justice Foreigner Stay Manual (Sept. 2026); the outcome of any individual case is decided by the competent Immigration Office.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligible | F-2-7 and F-2-7S, plus spouse and minor children (F-2-71, F-3-18) |
| Basic conditions | No grounds for disqualification and a total of 80 points or more |
| Stay period | Tiers of 1, 2, 3 or 5 years, using the more favorable of total score or income score |
| Income shortfall | If unemployed or at or below minimum wage: written pledge, then two 6-month extensions; denied if still short the third time |
| Documents | Basic documents plus points-evaluation documents |
| Family | If the main holder is denied, the spouse and minor children are denied too |
Scope of Activity
- Conditions and documents for extending the stay of F-2-7 and F-2-7S holders
- How the extension affects the spouse and minor children (F-2-71, F-3-18)
- Extension limits when the income requirement is not met, and the change to Job-Seeking (D-10)
Who Qualifies
- F-2-7 holders whose stay period is about to expire and who are preparing an extension
- Points-based holders whose score or income is lower than at the time of the change of status
- People concerned about the income requirement because of job loss, a job change or parental leave
- Holders whose spouse or minor children stay together as F-2-71 or F-3-18
Required Documents
- Basic documents: application form (Form No. 34), passport, ARC, photo, fee, proof of residence, employment contract (composition of the basic documents in the change-of-status section)
- Overseas criminal record certificate: required for an extension only if you stayed abroad 6 months or more (may be omitted if you have not stayed abroad for 6 consecutive months or more since obtaining the points-based residence status)
- Points-evaluation documents: the score sheet stating your points [Attachment 2] and documents proving each item [Attachment 3]
- Additional documents (where applicable): proof of family relationship, tuberculosis screening confirmation, certificate of employment, business registration, corporate registry copy, income certificate, etc.
- Proof of income score: the taxable income of the latest year shown on the most recent income certificate (tax office) you can submit (score table PDF)
- Documents issued abroad: apostille or consular legalization, Korean or English translation attached, valid for 3 months from the issue date
Application Process
- Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
- Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
- Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
- File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
- Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
- Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.
Key Points
- The score applied is the more favorable of the total score and the income score, so it is worth calculating both. The manual's extension tiers: 5 years for a total of 130 or more or an income score of 50 or more; 3 years for 120-129 or an income score of 45 or more; 2 years for 110-119 or an income score of 40 or more; 1 year for 80-109 or an income score of 30 or less.
- Even if the total falls short of 80 points, a grace period of one extra year may be granted if you are currently employed and paid at least the minimum wage. The manual also provides a one-year grace period from the expiry date where the income requirement is not met because of pregnancy, childbirth or parental leave.
- If you are unemployed or submit income at or below the minimum wage when applying, a written pledge is taken and the stay is extended twice for 6 months each; if the income requirement is still not met the third time, the extension is denied and a change to Job-Seeking (D-10, up to 1 year) is possible. D-10 cannot be extended further.
- Employment in a restricted field within 3 years before the application date leads to denial (cancellation) of the stay permit, and employment within the past 6 months in an occupation that may adversely affect the domestic labor market or socio-economic order results in a case-by-case decision on permission and stay period.
- Residence (F-2) applicants found to have violated domestic law may be required to attend Law-Abiding Citizen Education (3 hours). For extensions, violations within 5 years of the case closing date are the benchmark; check the manual's exclusion criteria and the local office for details.
- 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
Q. Do I still need 80 points or more when extending F-2-7?
A. Yes. The manual says the stay period is granted in tiers, using the more favorable of total score or income score, for foreigners with no grounds for disqualification and a total of 80 points or more. Even below 80 points, a one-year grace period may be granted if you are currently employed and paid at least the minimum wage.
Q. Are the documents the same as the first application?
A. The manual requires the basic documents and the points-evaluation documents. The overseas criminal record certificate is needed for an extension only if you stayed abroad 6 months or more, and may be omitted if you have not stayed abroad for 6 consecutive months or more since obtaining the points-based residence status.
Q. Can I extend while unemployed?
A. If you are unemployed or submit income at or below the minimum wage, then regardless of total score a written pledge is taken and the stay may be extended twice for 6 months each. If the income requirement is still not met the third time, the extension is denied and a change to Job-Seeking (D-10, up to 1 year) is possible. Please confirm your specific situation with the Immigration Office.
Q. What happens to my spouse and children if the extension is denied?
A. If the extension of the main holder (F-2-7) is denied, the extension for the spouse and minor children (F-2-71 or F-3-18) is denied as well. A denied person who meets the requirements of another status may apply to change to that status.
Q. Is F-2-7S (potential talent) treated the same way?
A. F-2-7S is also covered. The manual notes that, even without income, the extension is permitted for 5 years after the change of status, and that once income arises the common standard applies. After 5 years, the extension is reviewed under the extension requirements for points-based talent.