Imiatlas

🇰🇷 South Korea

South Korea Permanent Residency: requirements and how to apply

Long-term resident visa granting unrestricted employment flexibility and path to F-5 Permanent Residence.

Official South Korea permanent residency page

Points-Based Resident Visa (F-2-7)

Long-term resident visa granting unrestricted employment flexibility and path to F-5 Permanent Residence.

Typical duration
Up to 5 years
Path to permanent residency
Direct bridge to F-5 Permanent Residency after 3 years on F-2-7

Main requirements

  • Score ≥ 80 points on points matrix
  • TOPIK Korean proficiency or KIIP completion

Official page

Documents usually needed for South Korea

  • For Workcation F-1-D: annual income double the Korean GNI per capita (~ $65,000+ USD)
  • For F-2-7: score at least 80 points on the evaluation rubric (income, age, TOPIK Korean language score, KIIP integration)
  • Apostilled criminal record certificate and international private medical insurance (min 100M KRW coverage)
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months and a compliant photo (make yours here)

Application steps

  1. 1

    Consular Visa Application Abroad

    Submit bank records, employment contracts, and criminal checks at the Korean Embassy/Consulate.

    2 - 4 weeks

  2. 2

    Arrival & Alien Registration Card (ARC)

    Enter South Korea and book appointment on HiKorea at the local immigration office for ARC fingerprinting.

    3 - 6 weeks

Other ways to move to South Korea

Helpful for your move

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Find a licensed adviser

For advice on your own case, use a licensed immigration lawyer or adviser. Always check they are registered before you pay anyone. Imiatlas does not refer or review cases.

Look for a lawyer registered with the national bar association or law society in South Korea. The official immigration website explains any rules on who may represent applicants.

Korea Immigration Service & Ministry of Justice

General information to help you research, not legal advice. Rules change often: always confirm with Korea Immigration Service & Ministry of Justice on the official website before applying.