Permanent residency (F-5-11) for executives of world top-500 companies is obtained by visiting Korea during a vacation or similar period and applying for a change of status to permanent residence (F-5-11) at an immigration office in Korea. Vision Administrative Office prepares the documents and files the application for you. You prepare the common documents for a change to F-5 (1 to 5), the F-5-11 supporting documents (6 to 9) and evidence that your company was selected as a world top-500 company within the last 3 years. The livelihood requirement is waived, and submission of an overseas criminal record certificate is exempted. Government fees are KRW 200,000 for the change of status and KRW 35,000 for the permanent residence card.
The process at a glance
- Consultation: confirm the company's top-500 selection, your position and length of service, education points and the supporting documents
- Obtain documents abroad: career certificate, evidence of the company's top-500 selection, degree certificate and so on (issued within 3 months of the application date)
- Enter Korea on a short-term visit during a vacation or similar period
- Apply for a change of status of stay to F-5-11 at the competent immigration office in Korea — Vision Administrative Office prepares and files on your behalf
- Review: supply extra documents if requested
- After approval, receive the permanent residence card and leave
- Keep the status by entering Korea once within 2 years of each departure; reissue the card every 10 years
With documents prepared in advance, the process can typically be completed within about two months. Timing may vary depending on the review. Complete your documents before you travel and plan your vacation with us in advance.
What executives actually prepare
| What to prove | Example documents |
|---|---|
| Position (full-time director or higher) and length of service (1+ year) | Document 6, career certificate — showing your position and period of service at the company |
| The company's world top-500 selection | Evidence that the company appears on a world top-500 list published within the last 3 years by UNCTAD, FORTUNE, FORBES, BUSINESS WEEK (US) and ECONOMIST (UK) or a similar publication |
| Education | Doctoral degree certificate (degree already obtained) |
Full names of the selecting bodies: UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), FORTUNE (US business magazine Fortune — the Fortune Global 500), FORBES (US business magazine Forbes), BUSINESS WEEK (US business magazine BusinessWeek, now Bloomberg Businessweek) and ECONOMIST (UK, The Economist).
How documents issued abroad must be prepared can differ by issuing country and institution. We confirm the right format for each document in the consultation.
F-5-11 supporting documents (6 to 9, official names)
- 6. Certificate of awards in the field, or career certificate
- 7. Proof of publication in Science Citation Index (SCI) or similar journals, or proof of research output
- 8. Documents proving recognition in a specific field such as science or business
- 9. Other documents proving points-table items — proof of annual income in Korea (income amount certificate), proof of assets in Korea (real estate register, credit report etc.), social integration program certificate or comprehensive evaluation pass certificate, proof of employing Korean nationals (social insurance enrollment list etc.), letters of recommendation, community service and so on
On the executive route, the career certificate under 6 proves your position and length of service, and the top-500 selection evidence proves the company condition. Document 9 is submitted only if you want optional points from it.
Common documents for a change to F-5 (1 to 5)
- 1. Passport, integrated application form (Form 34), alien registration card, fees (KRW 200,000 + KRW 35,000 for the permanent residence card), one standard-size photo
- 2. Basic information form for F-5 applicants (completed by the applicant), proof of place of stay
- 3. Tuberculosis test certificate (only for those required; valid for 3 months) — issued by a public health center or a hospital designated by the Ministry of Justice
- 4. Letter of identity guarantee (Form 129)
- 5. Proof of good conduct — submission of an overseas criminal record certificate is exempted
Unless otherwise specified, documents must be issued within 3 months before the application date. Time the documents you obtain abroad to match your visit to Korea.
Executives who enter on a short-term visit have no alien registration card, so they apply with their passport and prepare the standard-size photo and the card fee listed in 1. Proof of place of stay depends on where you stay during the visit, so we decide the right document in the consultation. F-5-11 is not among the types exempted from the letter of identity guarantee (such as real estate or public-project investor residence), so document 4 is submitted.
Requirements and documents that are waived
- Livelihood (annual income) requirement — waived for F-5-11
- Overseas criminal record certificate — submission exempted under 5 (proof of good conduct)
- Basic-knowledge requirement — F-5-11 is exempt. Submit an integration program certificate or comprehensive evaluation pass certificate under 9 only if you want optional points for it.
A criminal-record review still applies to everyone. If anything may be relevant, tell us in the consultation before you apply.
Government fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Change of status permit | KRW 200,000 |
| Permanent residence card | KRW 35,000 |
These amounts apply to a change of status in Korea.
Review and outcome
- Additional documents may be requested during the review.
- Approval is decided after the review.
- After approval you receive the permanent residence card and keep the status by re-entering within 2 years of each departure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply without an alien registration card?
Yes. If you enter on a short-term visit you have no alien registration card, so you apply with your passport and prepare the standard-size photo and the KRW 35,000 card fee listed in common document 1.
How do I prove my position and length of service?
With the career certificate under F-5-11 document 6 (certificate of awards in the field, or career certificate). It must show a position of full-time director or higher at the company and at least 1 year of service.
How do I prove my company is a world top-500 company?
Submit evidence that the company appears on a world top-500 list published within the last 3 years by a leading business publication such as UNCTAD, FORTUNE, FORBES, BUSINESS WEEK (US) and ECONOMIST (UK).
Do I have to submit an overseas criminal record certificate?
No. Under common document 5 (proof of good conduct), submission of an overseas criminal record certificate is exempted. A criminal-record review still takes place.
Where do I apply?
You visit Korea during a vacation or similar period and apply for a change of status to F-5-11 at the competent immigration office in Korea. Vision Administrative Office prepares the documents and files the application for you.
How much are the government fees?
KRW 200,000 for the change of status permit and KRW 35,000 for the permanent residence card (change of status in Korea).
Will I be approved as soon as I submit everything?
Additional documents may be requested during the review, and approval is decided after the review.
We will list the documents for your career
Tell us your company, position, years of service and degree, and we will tell you which documents to prepare abroad and how to plan your visit to Korea.
Request a consultation →📞 +82-2-363-2251Written by Lee Won-Jung (이원중), Administrative Agent · Vision Administrative Office