1. Overview
F-5-28 is a permanent residence (F-5) status for a person who has stayed in Korea for 2 or more years in a status under item (ka) of Residence (F-2), item 24 of Annex 1-2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act (special contributor). F-5-29 is for the spouse or minor child of a person who holds F-5-28 and who has stayed 2 or more years in a related Residence (F-2) status. The Ministry of Justice manual lists both under Annex 1-3, item 19.
The livelihood test is met by income of at least 1 times the prior-year GNI per capita, and if income falls short, assets at or above the prior-year average net assets per household can be used instead. Individual cases should be confirmed with the immigration office.
2. Eligibility Requirements
- F-5-28: continuous stay of 2 or more years in Korea, as of the application date, in a status under Residence (F-2) item (ka)
- Livelihood (common to F-5-28 and F-5-29; one of the two): income of at least 1 times the prior-year GNI per capita / assets at or above the prior-year average net assets per household. Income or assets are combined for the permanent resident, the applicant, minor children and parents (excluding the spouse's parents) who lived with the applicant and shared living costs during the income period.
- Good conduct, including compliance with Korean law
- F-5-28 basic literacy: completion of Level 5 of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP), or a score of 60 or more on the permanent-residence or naturalization comprehensive test
- F-5-29 spouse: the spouse holds F-5 acquired at least 2 years before the application date, has kept it and stays in Korea, and the legal marriage and actual family life continue until the decision (divorce and de facto marriage are not recognized). The applicant must have kept the legal marriage and actual family life for 2 or more years as of the application date while staying in Korea, and must stay in Residence (F-2) item (ta) status from 2 years before the application until the decision (only periods in that status count; reconciliation after a divorce before the application does not preserve continuity).
- F-5-29 minor child: the parent holds F-5-28 acquired at least 2 years before the application date, has kept it and stays in Korea, and keeps parental authority and custody until the decision. The applicant must be a minor under the Korean Civil Act at application and must have stayed for 2 or more years as the minor child of the F-5 parent in Residence (F-2) status (the manual labels it special contributor F-2-16), keeping the family relationship (for adoption, counted from when the legal family relationship was established).
3. Required Documents
4. Procedure
- Confirm the category: F-5-28 (the special contributor) or F-5-29 (spouse or minor child of the permanent resident)
- Check the length of stay (2+ years) and the Residence (F-2) sub-category
- Decide whether income or assets can be met (check whose income and assets are combined)
- Prepare common documents and family relationship documents (foreign public documents need authentication)
- Book an appointment and apply in person at the competent immigration office
- Review (processing time varies with the filing date and office, so confirm individually); the permanent residence card is issued on approval
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do F-5-28 and F-5-29 differ?
A. F-5-28 is for the special contributor who has stayed 2+ years in Residence (F-2) item (ka). F-5-29 is for the spouse or minor child of a person holding F-5-28.
Q. Is basic literacy (KIIP or the comprehensive test) required?
A. The manual requires Level 5 of KIIP or a score of 60+ on the comprehensive test for F-5-28. The F-5-29 entry does not list basic literacy separately, so confirm with the office whether it applies at the time of filing.
Q. Whose income is combined?
A. The income (or assets) of the permanent resident, the applicant, minor children and parents (excluding the spouse's parents) who lived with the applicant and shared living costs during the income period.
Q. What if the spouse divorced or is a de facto spouse?
A. The legal marriage and actual family life must continue until the decision; divorce and de facto marriage are not recognized. If the couple divorced and reunited before the application, continuity of the marriage is not recognized.
Q. Can an adopted child apply?
A. The manual says that for adoption the 2 years are counted from the time the legal family relationship was established.