1. Overview
F-5-26 Permanent Residency is for people who hold D-8 (corporate investment) category (a) status and have stayed in Korea for 3 years or more as essential specialized personnel of an R&D facility under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act Enforcement Decree.
2. Eligibility Requirements
- Continuous stay of 3 years or more in D-8 category (a) status
- Bachelor's degree or higher, domestic or foreign
- Continuous work of 3 years or more as essential specialized personnel of the R&D facility; if work interruptions during job changes total 90 days or less over the 3 years, continuity is recognized
- Subsistence ability (one of): annual income of 2 times the previous year's per-capita GNI or more, or assets of 1.5 times the previous year's average net assets or more
- Basic-literacy requirement is exempt; good conduct requirement applies
3. Required Documents
Documents may differ by individual case, and the immigration office may request other documents it deems necessary.
4. Procedure
- Consultation and review of eligibility for this F-5 sub-category
- Preparation of common documents and category-specific documents
- Application for permanent residence (F-5) status at the competent immigration office
- Review by the immigration office (timing varies by case; confirm with the office)
- Receipt of the permanent residence card
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does the process take?
A. Processing time varies depending on the competent Immigration Office.
Q. What are the benefits of using an administrative agent?
A. An administrative agent can help with case-by-case review of requirements and document preparation, with support in 4 languages.
Q. Which languages are supported?
A. Consultations are available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese via KakaoTalk · WeChat · LINE · WhatsApp.
Q. What if my application is denied?
A. Depending on the denial reason, you may be able to supplement documents or reapply. Strategy varies by case — we recommend consultation first.