Visa Comparison — South Korea
F-5 vs F-2-7 — Permanent Residency or Long-Term Resident?
F-5 and F-2-7 are the two highest-status long-term visas in South Korea for foreigners. F-2-7 is the points-based long-term resident status — a powerful stepping stone with near-permanent work rights. F-5 is full permanent residency — no renewal, no restrictions, the closest thing to Korean citizenship without naturalising.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026
Permanent Resident
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Points-Based Long-Term Resident
F-5 vs F-2-7 — side-by-side comparison
Status type
F-5
Permanent Residency (PR)
F-2-7
Long-Term Resident (points-based)
Renewal required?
F-5
No — F-5 never expires
F-2-7
Yes — every 3–5 years
Work rights
F-5
Unrestricted — any job, any sector
F-2-7
Unrestricted — any job, any sector
Self-employment
F-5
Allowed
F-2-7
Allowed
Typical qualifying route
F-5
5 yrs on eligible visa + income + TOPIK 3+
F-2-7
80+ K-Point score
Korean language required
F-5
TOPIK 3 or higher (most pathways)
F-2-7
Not required — but adds up to 20 K-Points
Income requirement
F-5
At least Korean GNI per capita
F-2-7
Contributes to K-Point score
Criminal record
F-5
Clean record required for 5 years
F-2-7
Clean record required
Tax compliance
F-5
Must be fully compliant
F-2-7
Must be fully compliant
Can lose status?
F-5
Very rarely — criminal conviction, long absence
F-2-7
Yes — if renewal criteria not met
Path to citizenship
F-5
Yes — eligible to apply after F-5 conditions met
F-2-7
Not directly — need F-5 first
Travel abroad
F-5
Up to 2 years abroad without losing status
F-2-7
Must return periodically; long absence risks renewal issues
Which should you choose?
F-5is right for you if…
You have lived in Korea for 5+ years on a qualifying visa and meet all income/language requirements
You want never to deal with visa renewals again
You plan to live in Korea permanently and may eventually want to naturalise
You travel internationally frequently and want maximum flexibility on re-entry
F-2-7is right for you if…
You score 80+ K-Points but don't yet have 5 years of qualifying Korean residency for F-5
You want work freedom now (change jobs, freelance) without meeting the full F-5 requirements
You're using F-2-7 as a planned stepping stone to F-5 in 3 years
Your TOPIK level is below 3 — F-2-7 doesn't require it; many F-5 pathways do
Typical path:
The typical route: E-7 or E-2 (work visa) → F-2-7 (points-based, after building K-Points) → F-5 (PR, after 3 years on F-2-7 or 5 years total in Korea). F-2-7 is the recommended intermediate step for most skilled foreigners because it removes job restrictions while you accumulate the time needed for F-5.
Frequently asked questions
How long after getting F-2-7 can I apply for F-5?
Most F-2-7 holders can apply for F-5 after maintaining the status for 3 consecutive years, meeting income requirements (at least GNI per capita), having TOPIK 3+, and maintaining a clean immigration record.
Does F-2-7 expire?
F-2-7 is issued for up to 3 years initially and can be renewed for up to 5 years. It does require periodic renewal, unlike F-5 which is permanent. Failure to meet renewal criteria means you drop back to a previous status.
Can F-5 holders be deported?
Yes — F-5 can be revoked for serious criminal convictions, national security concerns, or staying abroad for more than 2 consecutive years without notifying immigration. In practice, it is rarely revoked.
Does F-5 allow me to vote in Korean elections?
No. Voting rights in national elections require Korean citizenship (naturalisation). F-5 holders may vote in some local (municipal) elections depending on residency duration.
Which is easier to get — F-5 or F-2-7?
For most people, F-2-7 is the first achievable milestone. It requires a K-Point score of 80+ without needing 5 years of residence. F-5 requires a longer track record in Korea, TOPIK 3+, and a stable income — but once obtained, it's permanent.
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