E-7 vs F-2-7 Visa — Which One Is Right for You?

Yes — this is the most common route. After building Korean work experience (which adds to your K-Point score), you apply for a status change (체류자격변경) at your local immigration office. No need to leave Korea.

You need 80 points or more out of 120. Points come from age (max 25), education (max 35), Korean language / TOPIK (max 20), Korean work experience (max 15), annual salary, and bonus categories like graduating from a Korean university or working in a priority industry.

Yes — after 5 years on status (with a clean immigration record and meeting income/language requirements), you can apply directly for PR. Alternatively, you can convert to F-2-7 first and reach F-5 faster via that route.

Neither is objectively harder — they require different things. requires an employer and an approved occupation. F-2-7 requires a high enough K-Point score, which many applicants fall short of without Korean work experience or advanced Korean language ability.