F-5-11 points for professors add required items (world-class research, teaching at a top-200 university) and optional items (education and others). An SCI-level paper (SCI, SCIE, SSCI or A&HCI) within the last 5 years + 5+ years as full professor at a 4-year university = 30 required points, and a PhD adds 20, for 50 in total, which allows you to apply regardless of your period of stay in Korea. Without papers, look at route 2: 5+ years as full professor at a world top-200 university selected within the last 3 years by QS, THE, ARWU, CWUR etc. = 30. In the self-check below you can tick both routes and see your total and whether you reach 50. With 30 required points and 50 in total, you visit Korea during a university break or similar period and apply 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.
Pass mark: 30 required points + 50 in total
| Required points | Required + optional | Residence condition |
|---|---|---|
| 30 or more | 50 or more | Regardless of period of stay in Korea |
The 30 required points come from route 1 (world-class research) or route 2 (teaching at a world top-200 university); a PhD adds 20 for 50.
If neither 30-point route applies to you, we check your case in an individual consultation.
Route 1 — world-class research: recent paper + 5 years as full professor
This route presupposes a paper published in an SCI, SCIE, SSCI or A&HCI journal within the last 5 years; with 5+ years as full professor or higher in the field at a 4-year university in Korea or abroad it gives 30 points.
| Condition | Points |
|---|---|
| Paper in an SCI, SCIE, SSCI or A&HCI journal within the last 5 years + 5+ years as full professor or higher in the field at a 4-year university in Korea or abroad | 30 |
Full names of the citation indexes: SCI (Science Citation Index), SCIE (Science Citation Index Expanded), SSCI (Social Sciences Citation Index) and A&HCI (Arts & Humanities Citation Index).
Route 2 — 5 years as full professor at a top-200 university: no papers needed
5+ years as full professor at a university ranked in the top 200 within the last 3 years by an authoritative ranking such as QS, THE, ARWU or CWUR give 30 points. There is no paper condition, so professors without SCI-level publications can reach 30 points this way.
| Condition | Points |
|---|---|
| 5+ years as full professor at a world top-200 university selected within the last 3 years by QS, THE, ARWU, CWUR etc. | 30 |
Full names of the rankings: QS (QS World University Rankings), THE (Times Higher Education World University Rankings), ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) and CWUR (Center for World University Rankings).
If both items apply: adding and overlap rules
- Different single items (research and university teaching) are all added together. For example, 5+ years as full professor at a top-200 university with a recent SCI-level paper can give 30 + 30 = 60 required points.
- Within one single item, if several conditions apply only the highest score counts.
- Points count only to the extent your supporting documents prove them.
Optional items: the PhD's 20 points and others
| Education (Korean or foreign degree, already obtained) | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate | 20 |
| Master's | 15 |
| Bachelor's | 10 |
Besides education, optional items include annual income in Korea, assets in Korea, basic knowledge (integration program) and bonus points (employing Korean nationals, recommendation letters, tax payments and others). Within one optional item only the highest score counts, while bonus points are all added. For professors living abroad, education is usually the main optional item.
Self-check: tick the boxes to see your total
Tick route 1 and/or route 2 if they apply. If both apply, tick both: they are different items, so the points are added.
The self-check is for reference only. Points count only as far as your supporting documents prove them, and approval is decided after the review.
Frequently asked questions
Do 5 years as full professor give 30 points even without papers?
The research item gives 30 points only with a paper in an SCI, SCIE, SSCI or A&HCI journal within the last 5 years. Without papers, check whether your university was ranked in the top 200 within the last 3 years for the 30-point teaching route.
Which rankings count as top 200?
Universities ranked in the top 200 within the last 3 years by authoritative rankings such as QS, THE, ARWU or CWUR. Their full names are QS (QS World University Rankings), THE (Times Higher Education World University Rankings), ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) and CWUR (Center for World University Rankings). Prepare the ranking evidence together with your period of employment.
Can I get points for both research and top-200 teaching?
Yes, they are separate single items, so both are added if proven. Within one item, only the highest applicable score counts.
Does this apply to an associate professor?
On both route 1 (recent SCI-level paper + 5 years as full professor at a 4-year university) and route 2 (5 years as full professor at a world top-200 university), the 30 points apply only to full professors or higher. Years as associate professor do not count toward these 30 points.
Does a PhD I am about to receive count for 20 points?
Education points count only for degrees already obtained; expected degrees are excluded. Korean and foreign degrees both count.
If the self-check shows 50, should I apply?
It is only a starting point to see your band. Your points must be confirmed by supporting documents such as career certificates and proof of publication, so have your documents reviewed first.
We recalculate your points against real documents
Send your university, rank, years of service, publications from the last 5 years and degree, and we will tell you which points can be recognized and what is missing.
Request a consultation →📞 +82-2-363-2251Written by Lee Won-Jung (이원중), Administrative Agent · Vision Administrative Office