Professors obtain F-5-11 permanent residency by visiting Korea during a university break or similar period and applying at an immigration office in Korea for a change of status to permanent residence (F-5-11). Vision Administrative Office prepares the documents and files the application for you. You can get it without living in Korea, and afterwards you keep it while living abroad by entering Korea once within 2 years of each departure. You prepare the common documents for a change to F-5 (1 to 5) plus the F-5-11 supporting documents (6 to 9). 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 your research, teaching and education points and the supporting documents
- Obtain documents abroad: career certificate, proof of publication or research output, degree certificate, top-200 ranking evidence and so on (issued within 3 months of the application date)
- Enter Korea on a short-term visit during a university break 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 a two-month academic break. Timing may vary depending on the review. Complete your documents before you travel and plan your break with us in advance.
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.
Professors 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.
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
What professors actually prepare
| Points item | Example documents |
|---|---|
| World-class research (full-professor career) | Employment or career certificate showing the rank (full professor) and period |
| World-class research (papers) | Proof of publication in SCI, SCIE, SSCI or A&HCI journals within the last 5 years, list of research output |
| Teaching at a top-200 university | Career certificate from that university + ranking evidence for the top 200 within the last 3 years |
| Education | Doctoral degree certificate (degree already obtained) |
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.
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.
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.
Do I need income proof or an integration program certificate?
No. F-5-11 waives the livelihood requirement and is exempt from the basic-knowledge requirement.
How do I prove my publications?
With F-5-11 document 7, 'proof of publication in Science Citation Index (SCI) or similar journals, or proof of research output'. It must show publication in an SCI, SCIE, SSCI or A&HCI journal within the last 5 years.
Where do I apply?
You visit Korea during a university break or similar period and apply at the competent immigration office in Korea for a change of status of stay to F-5-11. Vision Administrative Office prepares the documents and files on your behalf.
What 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).
Is approval immediate once all documents are in?
Additional documents may be requested during the review, and approval is decided after the review.
We build your document list around your career
Tell us your university, rank, recent papers and degree, and we will list what to prepare abroad and plan your visit to Korea.
Request a consultation →📞 +82-2-363-2251Written by Lee Won-Jung (이원중), Administrative Agent · Vision Administrative Office