Overview
The points where an F-5 application usually stalls fall into three groups: which sub-category applies to you, how you prove basic knowledge, and how income, stay period and documents are counted. This article groups the items to check in that order in a problem-solving format.
Denial reasons and fixes are covered in a separate article; this one is limited to the pre-filing checking order. Approval in any individual case is decided by examination. If a standard is unclear, confirm with your local Immigration Office.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Checking order | 1) sub-category, 2) basic-knowledge requirement or exemption, 3) how income and assets are counted, 4) common documents, 5) filing |
| Basic knowledge | KIIP Level 5 completion, or 60+ out of 100 on the permanent-residence or naturalization comprehensive test; exemptions vary by sub-category |
| Income reference year | The year before the year of the application date; if the income certificate is not yet issued, the year before that |
| Assets | Financial and physical assets held continuously for 6 months or more from acquisition to filing, with value maintained until approval |
| Stay calculation | Temporary trips abroad of 90 days or less each, totaling 180 days or less a year, still count as continuous stay |
| Document validity | Overseas criminal record certificate issued within 6 months of filing; domestic documents within 3 months of issue unless otherwise specified |
Scope of Activity
- The order for checking points that often stall F-5 applications before filing: sub-category, basic knowledge, how income and assets are counted, stay calculation and document validity
- The focus is general permanent residence (F-5-1), while the basic-knowledge and income rules are treated as common F-5 items.
- Denial grounds (conduct, effect on public finances, etc.), the D-8 route and keeping the status after approval are covered in other articles and excluded here.
Who Qualifies
- People about to apply for F-5 who want to confirm their sub-category is right
- People wondering whether basic-knowledge proof (test or course) is needed or whether they are exempt
- People whose income certificate is not yet issued, or who want to know how family income and owned housing are treated
- People with business trips or time abroad who worry that their stay period is interrupted
Required Documents
- Sub-category check: compare with the list of F-5 categories (F-5-1 to F-5-27) and mark the category you apply for on the applicant basic-information form
- Basic-knowledge proof (except exempt persons, at least one): permanent-residence comprehensive test pass certificate, naturalization comprehensive test pass certificate, KIIP completion certificate (permanent-residence or naturalization course), etc. Documents with a validity period must be valid on the filing date
- Income-related: income certificate from the tax office, and official proof of full tax payment such as a tax payment certificate or arrears certificate (may be waived if the Immigration Office confirms by computer that nothing is unpaid)
- If you rely on assets: real estate registry copy, sale contract, rental contract, savings or deposit balance certificate, etc.
- Common documents: integrated application form (with revenue stamp), passport, ARC (if none, one passport photo taken within the last 6 months plus the permanent resident card issuance fee), proof of residence
- Stay check: organize your entry and exit records and status-change history to confirm the days of each temporary trip and the yearly total
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
- Family income counts only for family living with you. Family members who share your livelihood are the spouse (de facto marriage excluded), minor children and parents (spouse's parents excluded) who lived with the applicant continuously during the income period; sharing the same registered address is in principle treated as living together.
- Only income on which income tax was paid is recognized. Income that is subject to income tax but was not taxed is not recognized, and tax-exempt income under the Income Tax Act is reviewed on supporting evidence. Housing and other assets are not counted as income, but income generated from them, such as rent on which tax was paid, may be recognized.
- You need to stay in Korea after filing. Leaving after applying for a stay permit can lead to denial. If you have business trips or a return home planned, check before choosing the filing date.
- Recheck the notices before filing. Rules can change, so check the notices on HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) and your local Immigration Office again just before filing.
- 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. I do not know which F-5 category I fall under. Where do I check?
A. The table of F-5 categories and sub-codes (F-5-1 to F-5-27) shows the target group of each. For example, F-5-1 covers adults who have stayed 5 years or more under statuses from D-7 to E-7 or under F-2, while F-5-2/3, F-5-6, F-5-7, F-5-14 and F-5-27 follow separate guidelines.
Q. Do I have to take a test for the basic-knowledge requirement?
A. Completing KIIP Level 5 or scoring 60 or more on the permanent-residence or naturalization comprehensive test is enough to meet the requirement. Some sub-categories are exempt, and minors under 15 and minors aged 15 or over enrolled in a regular school are also described as exempt, so check your own category.
Q. My income certificate has not been issued yet.
A. The income period is in principle the year before the year of your filing date, but if the tax authority has not issued the income certificate for that year as of the filing date, the year before that applies. Which year applies depends on whether it has been issued, so confirm with your local office.
Q. Can I count family income or a home I own as income?
A. Income of family members who share your livelihood (spouse, minor children, parents) must meet the living-together requirement, and assets such as housing are not recognized as income. However, if rent or other income from an owned home is generated and income tax is paid, it can be recognized as business income, etc.
Q. Does a business trip or short visit home break my stay period?
A. Stays are treated as continuous if each temporary trip abroad is 90 days or less and the total days abroad are 180 or less per year. Periods of stay extension granted for departure and departure grace periods count as time abroad, so organize your entry and exit records.