1. Overview
The F-5 permanent residency grants permanent residence status in Korea. There are 27 subtypes (F-5-1 through F-5-27), each with unique eligibility conditions and required documents. Select your category from the grid below to view the specific document checklist.
F-5-1
General Permanent Resident
5+ years lawful stay on D-7~E-7 or F-2 residency status
F-5-2Spouse of Korean National
Foreign spouse of Korean national (F-6-1, 2+ years)
F-5-3Minor Child of Korean National
Foreign minor child of Korean national
F-5-4Spouse/Minor Child of F-5 Holder
Spouse or minor child of F-5 permanent resident (excluding points-based)
F-5-5High-Value Investor
USD 500,000+ investment + 5+ Korean national employees
F-5-6Overseas Korean (F-4) 2+ Years
Overseas Korean (F-4) with 2+ years continuous stay (special guidelines apply)
F-5-7Overseas Korean Meeting Nationality Requirements
Foreign-nationality ethnic Korean meeting Nationality Act acquisition requirements (special guidelines)
F-5-8Ethnic Chinese Born in Korea
Ethnic Chinese (Hwagyo) born in Korea and continuously residing there
F-5-9Advanced Industry PhD
PhD in advanced industry field + employed by Korean company
F-5-10Bachelor's/Master's Degree or Qualification
Bachelor's+ degree or technical certificate + Korean company employment (3+ years)
F-5-11Exceptional Ability in Specific Field
Outstanding ability in science, business, education, arts, or sports
F-5-12Person of Special Merit
Foreign national recognized by the Minister of Justice for special contribution to Korea
F-5-13Pension Recipient
Age 60+ receiving pension from abroad of at least the amount set by the Minister of Justice
F-5-14H-2 Manufacturing Worker (4+ Years)
H-2 visa holder with 4+ years in manufacturing sector (special guidelines)
F-5-15General Field PhD
PhD from domestic graduate program + employed by Korean company
F-5-16Points-Based Permanent Resident
Points-based residency (F-2-7) with 3+ years stay
F-5-17Tourist/Resort Facility Investor
F-2 (tourist facility investment) with 5+ years continuous investment
F-5-18Spouse/Minor Child of F-5-16
Spouse or minor child of points-based permanent resident (F-5-16)
F-5-19Spouse/Unmarried Child of F-5-17
Spouse or unmarried child of tourist/resort investor (F-5-17)
F-5-20Child Born in Korea to F-5 Holder
Child born in Korea to F-5 permanent resident
F-5-21Public Interest Business Investor
F-2 (public interest investment) with 5+ years continuous investment
F-5-22Spouse/Unmarried Child of F-5-21 or F-5-23
Spouse or unmarried child of public interest investor or retirement immigration investor
F-5-23Retirement Immigration Investor
Retirement immigrant with 5+ years public interest investment + KRW 300M+ domestic assets
F-5-24Tech Startup (D-8-4) Investor
D-8-4 visa with KRW 300M+ investment raised + 2+ Korean employees
F-5-25Conditional High-Value Investor
Pledged to invest KRW 3 billion+ for 5+ years
F-5-26R&D Personnel at Foreign-Invested Company
Essential specialist at foreign-invested R&D facility for 3+ years
F-5-27Refugee with 2+ Years Residency
Refugee F-2 residency status for 2+ years (special guidelines)
2. Eligibility Requirements
- Valid passport and ID documents (passport copy, recent photos)
- Visa-specific eligibility (education, experience, capital, income)
- Korean business location or employer/sponsor verification
- No prior immigration violations or unpaid taxes
- Health check results (visa-specific)
3. Required Documents
Specific documents per case will be advised in your free consultation.
4. Procedure
- Free consultation and visa eligibility assessment
- Case-specific document preparation guidance
- Foreign investment declaration or business registration (if applicable)
- Visa Issuance Certificate or direct immigration application
- Visa issuance at Korean embassy in home country
- Alien registration upon arrival (within 90 days)
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does the process take?
A. Generally 2-4 weeks depending on visa type and case. Immigration review time may vary.
Q. What are the benefits of using an administrative agent?
A. Vision Administrative Agent has issued 1,000+ visas since 2018. We provide case-by-case review, document preparation, and immigration accompaniment in 4 languages.
Q. Is the consultation free?
A. Yes, consultations are free. 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, additional documents, appeals, re-applications, or judicial review are possible options. Strategy varies by case — we recommend consultation first.