What is the minimum score needed for the F-2-7 visa?

You need a minimum of 80 points to qualify for the F-2-7 visa. The scoring system includes 130 base points (age 25 + education 25 + Korean language 20 + annual income 60), plus up to 40 bonus points, minus up to 70 penalty points.

Which work visas are eligible to convert to F-2-7?

E-1 through E-7, D-7, D-8, D-9 visa holders who have maintained their status for a required period are eligible to apply for F-2-7 conversion. Generally, E-7 holders need 3+ years of continuous status; other eligible visa holders should check the current HiKorea guidelines.

How is the income score calculated for F-2-7?

Income is scored based on your annual salary as a multiple of GNI (Gross National Income, approx. KRW 50M/year in 2026): 2× GNI (≈KRW 100M) = 20 pts, 1.5× GNI = 15 pts, 1× GNI = 10 pts, 0.8× GNI = 5 pts, below 0.8× GNI = 0 pts. Maximum income score is 60 points across all brackets.

Does holding an F-2-7 visa allow me to bring family to Korea?

Yes. F-2-7 visa holders can sponsor dependent family members (spouse, minor children) for F-3 dependent visas. Dependents on F-3 status cannot work but can live in Korea with you.

Can F-2-7 lead to permanent residency (F-5)?

Yes. After holding F-2-7 status for at least 5 years with continuous legal stay, sufficient income, and Korean language ability, you can apply for F-5 permanent residency. This is one of the most common paths to Korean permanent residency for foreign workers.

What Korean language test scores count for F-2-7?

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) scores are the standard measure. TOPIK Level 1–2 = 0 pts, Level 3 = 5 pts, Level 4 = 10 pts, Level 5 = 15 pts, Level 6 = 20 pts. Other tests such as KIIP (Social Integration Program) completion may also count — check current Immigration Service guidelines.

F-2-7 Points-Based Residency Visa Korea: Full 2026 Guide

Last updated: 2026-05-09 | Source: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (April 14, 2026)

Key Points at a Glance

Minimum 80 points required to qualify
Base scoring: Age (25) + Education (25) + Korean language (20) + Annual income (60) = 130 max
Plus up to +40 bonus points, minus up to −70 penalty points
F-2-7 allows free employment (any job, any employer, no restrictions)
Valid pathway to F-5 permanent residency after 5 years

What is the F-2-7 Visa?

The F-2-7 visa is Korea's points-based residency visa for skilled foreign workers. Unlike work visas (E-7, D-7, etc.) which are tied to a specific employer and occupation, F-2-7 grants:

Unrestricted work rights: Work for any employer in any industry
Long-term stay: 3-year stay period, renewable
Family sponsorship: Bring spouse and minor children on F-3 dependent visas
Path to F-5: Direct pathway to permanent residency after qualifying period

F-2-7 is designed for foreign professionals who have established themselves in Korea and want long-term residency without the constraints of an employer-sponsored visa.

Score Table (80 Points Required)

Age (Max 25 points)

Age	Points
18–24	15 pts
25–29	25 pts
30–34	20 pts
35–39	15 pts
40–44	10 pts
45–49	5 pts
50+	0 pts

Education (Max 25 points)

Level	Points
PhD	25 pts
Master's degree	20 pts
Bachelor's degree	15 pts
Associate degree / 2-year college	10 pts
High school or below	5 pts

Korean Language Ability (Max 20 points)

Level	Points
TOPIK Level 6	20 pts
TOPIK Level 5	15 pts
TOPIK Level 4	10 pts
TOPIK Level 3	5 pts
TOPIK Level 1–2 or none	0 pts

Annual Income (Max 60 points)

Income Level (× GNI, approx. KRW 50M = 1× GNI)	Points
5× GNI or more (≥ KRW 250M)	60 pts
4× GNI (≈ KRW 200M)	55 pts
3× GNI (≈ KRW 150M)	50 pts
2× GNI (≈ KRW 100M)	40 pts
1.5× GNI (≈ KRW 75M)	30 pts
1× GNI (≈ KRW 50M)	20 pts
0.8× GNI (≈ KRW 40M)	10 pts
Below 0.8× GNI	0 pts

Note on Bonus & Penalty Points

Up to +40 bonus points may be added for factors such as Korean assets, Korean education, employment in strategic industries, and social integration program completion. Up to −70 penalty points may be deducted for immigration violations, criminal records, and other negative factors. Contact VISION ARC for a personalized score assessment.

Eligible Visa Types

The following visa holders may apply to convert to F-2-7 after meeting the qualifying period:

Visa Type	Typical Qualifying Period
E-7 (Specialized Activity)	3+ years continuous E-7 status
E-1 through E-6	Per occupation; confirm with immigration
D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer)	Qualifying stay + points ≥ 80
D-8 (Corporate Investor)	Qualifying stay + points ≥ 80
D-9 (Trade Manager)	Qualifying stay + points ≥ 80

Required Documents

Visa Change Application Form (통합신청서)
Passport (original)
Alien Registration Card (original)
Passport photo (3.5×4.5 cm, white background)
Points calculation worksheet (점수 계산표) — self-completed
Income proof: 소득금액증명 or 원천징수영수증 (most recent year)
Educational certificates (diploma, transcript) — apostilled or notarized if issued abroad
TOPIK certificate (Level 3 or higher recommended)
Employment contract or business registration (if self-employed)
Health insurance enrollment certificate (NHIS)
No-criminal-record certificate (범죄경력증명서) from home country — apostilled
Additional documents for bonus points (Korean assets, Korean education, etc.) as applicable

Application Process

Calculate your score — use the tables above to estimate your points; confirm bonus/penalty points
Gather all documents — pay particular attention to foreign documents requiring apostille or notarization
Prepare the points worksheet — the official form requires itemized entries for each scoring category
Book appointment — reserve at the immigration office for your registered address via HiKorea
Submit application — present originals and copies; pay application fee
Review period — approximately 2–4 weeks; officer may request supplementary documents
ARC reissue — upon approval, receive new ARC with F-2-7 status; reissue fee KRW 30,000

Path to F-5 Permanent Residency

F-2-7 is a strategic stepping stone toward permanent residency. After holding F-2-7 continuously:

Milestone	Requirement
F-5 (General, F-5-1)	5+ years total legal stay; TOPIK 3+; income ≥ GNI; no violations
F-5 via F-2-7 (F-5-16)	3+ years on F-2-7 + points ≥ 80 again at time of F-5 application

Upon receiving F-5, you gain indefinite stay rights, unrestricted work, and the ability to sponsor family with no quota restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum score for F-2-7?

You need at least 80 points to qualify. The maximum base score is 130 (age 25 + education 25 + Korean language 20 + income 60) with up to +40 bonus points possible, minus up to −70 penalty points.

Can I work anywhere with an F-2-7 visa?

Yes. Unlike work visas tied to a specific employer and occupation code, F-2-7 grants unrestricted employment rights. You can change jobs, work part-time, or become self-employed without additional immigration approval.

What TOPIK level do I need?

There is no hard minimum TOPIK requirement, but scores below TOPIK Level 3 earn 0 points, which makes it very difficult to reach 80 total points. TOPIK Level 4 or above is recommended to comfortably meet the threshold combined with other factors.

Can F-2-7 holders bring their family to Korea?

Yes. Spouse and minor children can be sponsored for F-3 dependent visas. F-3 holders can live in Korea but cannot work. There is no restriction on nationality of dependents.

How long is the F-2-7 stay period?

F-2-7 is typically granted for 3 years, renewable. As long as you maintain qualifying conditions (income, no violations, valid address), renewal is generally approved. After renewal, the total stay period for F-5 eligibility accumulates.

Check your F-2-7 score with VISION ARC

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