Korea F-2-7 Residence Visa Eligibility

F-2-7 is the points-based residence visa, a step before permanent residence (F-5). Check your applicant category and core requirements, and see how the 80-point test works. Sub-scores are unofficial, so we don't assert a number — verify at hikorea.

F-2-7 basic eligibility

Select your type and requirements, then check.

What this tool does

F-2-7 is Korea's points-based residence visa — a common step toward permanent residence (F-5). To apply you must (1) fall under one of five eligible categories, (2) meet core requirements (a 3-year continuous legal stay or ₩40M+ annual income, good conduct, public health), and (3) reach 80 of 170 points on a scoring test. This tool checks the categories and core requirements. It deliberately does NOT compute a point total, because the detailed scoring is an internal, unpublished Ministry of Justice manual that varies by source and changes without notice.

Who uses this

Professionals (E-7, etc.) on a 3+ year stay checking if they can move to F-2-7
Graduates of Korean master's programs exploring the residence track
Anyone mapping the path from work visa → F-2-7 → F-5 permanent residence
Confirming core requirements before booking a hikorea consultation
Understanding what the 80-point test actually weighs

How to use (4 steps)

1Pick the applicant category that matches you (listed-company employee, growth-industry worker, 3-year professional, domestic master's graduate, or STEM talent).
2Check the core requirements: 3-year continuous legal stay or ₩40M+ income, good conduct, and the public-health requirement.
3See whether your core requirements are met and what is still missing.
4Then confirm your actual point total and eligibility at hikorea.go.kr or 1345 — this tool won't guess your score.

How the 80-point test works (informational)

Pass mark: 80 of 170 points (130 core + up to 40 bonus). Scored items: age, education level, Korean ability (TOPIK or KIIP), annual income, work/stay experience, plus bonuses (Korean degree, government recommendation, KIIP completion, volunteering) and deductions (immigration violations, criminal record). ⚠️ Exact sub-scores are NOT published — they live in an internal MOJ manual and differ between unofficial sources, so this tool does not calculate a number. Income carries the most weight. Verify your real score at hikorea.

Typical scenarios

Professional on a 3-year E-7

Meets the professional category and the 3-year requirement. Still needs 80 points (income and Korean ability usually decide it) plus good conduct. Check the score at hikorea.

Master's graduate from a Korean university

Qualifies under the study-talent category; the 3-year stay can be waived with ₩40M+ income. Education and Korean ability tend to score well.

High earner in a growth industry

The growth-industry category plus high income (the heaviest-weighted item) makes 80 points reachable — but the category itself requires income of at least 1.5× GNI.

F-2-7 residence visa — application & document checklist

Confirm your eligibility category

Professionals (E-1–E-7 / D-5–D-9) with 3+ years of continuous lawful residence (the 3-year rule is waived if annual income exceeds ₩40M).
Study-talent: a Korean master's degree or higher, employed in an eligible role within 5 years of graduation.
Listed-company employees (KOSPI/KOSDAQ) — the 3-year residence rule is waived.
Promising-industry workers (IT, bio, nano, etc.) at or above the GNI income threshold (verify — the multiple changes yearly).
Baseline: reach 80 of 170 points and have 1+ year of legal stay before applying (verify the current threshold).

Gather point-evidence & screening documents

Income proof: income-amount certificate (소득금액증명) and/or withholding receipt (원천징수영수증).
Employment proof: work contract or certificate of employment; degree certificate (apostilled if issued abroad).
Korean-ability proof: a TOPIK certificate or KIIP (Social Integration Program) completion certificate.
Submit only the documents for the points you actually claimed — full documentation of every category is not required.
National criminal-background check with apostille (issued within 6 months), plus a TB screening if you are from a designated country (verify).

Core packet & filing

Integrated application form (통합신청서), passport, ARC, a 3.5×4.5 cm photo, and your completed F-2-7 score table.
Proof of residence: a lease, a residence-confirmation form, or a dormitory certificate.
Apply online via HiKorea (status change → F-2-7) or in person at the immigration office for your address; HiKorea is often 1–2 weeks faster.
Fee around ₩130,000 for a status change (verify on HiKorea before paying); processing ~4–8 weeks, longer in peak months.
Track status on HiKorea, then collect the new Residence Card in person; call 1345 for case-specific rules.

Maintain status & the F-5 path

At each extension, keep your score at 80+ and your income at or above the GNI threshold.
Hold F-2-7 continuously for 3 years to become eligible for F-5 permanent residence.
Spouse and children can hold dependent F-2 status and may work after approval (subject to your income meeting the condition — verify).
Keep updated income, tax, and residence records each year, and confirm current F-5 requirements separately (they change) (verify).

Frequently asked questions

What is the F-2-7 visa?

A points-based residence visa for skilled foreigners with broad work and residence rights. After holding it for 3 years in good standing you can pursue points-based permanent residence (F-5).

What score do I need?

80 out of 170. But 80 alone isn't enough — you must also fit one of the eligible categories and pass the conduct and public-health checks.

Why doesn't this tool calculate my points?

The detailed scoring table is an unpublished internal MOJ manual, and unofficial sources disagree on the numbers (especially income and education). Asserting a wrong score could mislead your application, so we check the verifiable requirements and send you to the official source for the score.

Can the 3-year stay requirement be waived?

Yes — with ₩40M+ annual income, or via an approved STEM talent-attraction program with a government recommendation.

Does student (D-2) or job-seeker (D-10) time count toward the 3 years?

For the professional category, prior D-2/D-10 stay generally does not count (per an official advisory). Korean-degree graduates instead apply under the study-talent category.

What comes after F-2-7?

Hold it for 3+ years in good standing and you can apply for F-5 (permanent residence) on the points track.

Cautions

•Sub-scores are unofficial and change without notice — this is a requirements checklist, not a score calculator.
•Meeting 80 points does not guarantee approval; category, stay/income, conduct, and health must all be met.
•Eligible categories and income thresholds (GNI-linked) shift yearly.
•Decisions are case-by-case at officer discretion.
•Always verify at hikorea.go.kr or the Immigration Contact Center (1345).