Korea F-2 Resident Visa Subtypes — F-2-7 Points System and the Startup Exception Explained
The F-2 visa is one of Korea's most flexible long-term residency statuses, allowing holders to work in nearly any occupation without employer sponsorship. But 'F-2' is not a single visa — it covers a range of sub-codes for very different situations, from family ties to investment to Korea's K-Point skilled-migrant system (F-2-7). Understanding which sub-code applies to you is essential for planning your path to long-term residency in Korea.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed September 2026
Review & source basis
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
September 4, 2026
Source references
Stay-manual sections covering F-2 long-term residency subtypes, points review, continuous-stay handling, and status-change eligibility.
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
Other F-2 sub-codes: family, investment, and discretionary categories
Beyond the points-based F-2-7 (covered below), Korea's residence (F-2) status covers a range of other circumstances, each assigned its own sub-code under 출입국관리법 시행령 별표1의2 item 24:
• F-2-2: The minor foreign child of a Korean national, or a child born from a marriage relationship with a Korean national (including a recognized de facto marriage) — MOJ-recognized cases • F-2-3: The spouse or minor child of an F-5 (permanent residency) holder • F-2-8 / F-2-81: Tourism/resort real estate investors (관광·휴양시설 투자이민) — leads to F-5-17 after 5 years • F-2-12 / F-2-13 / F-2-14: Public interest fund investors (공익사업 투자이민) — leads to F-5-21 (general) or F-5-23 (retiree track) • F-2-16: Individuals recognized by the MOJ for special contribution to Korea or the public interest (거주 카목) — after 2+ years on F-2-16, leads to F-5-28 (특별기여자, a distinct code from F-5-12/특별공로자, which is a separate, narrower category for decorated national-independence/development honorees and their descendants with its own waived-livelihood-requirement criteria) • F-2-71: The spouse of an F-2-7 (points-based) holder • F-2-99: "Other long-term resident" — for A-1 through A-3 (diplomatic/official) holders with 7+ years of continuous residence, or E-1 through E-5/E-7 holders with 5+ years, who have an established life in Korea
Additional sub-codes exist for recognized refugees, public officials appointed under Korean civil service law, and individuals meeting MOJ-announced age/education/income criteria — these are assigned case by case and the exact sub-code depends on which category applies. None of these are standard application pathways in the way F-2-7 is — most require MOJ discretion or apply to a narrow, specific situation.
F-2-7: Points-based long-term resident (K-Points)
F-2-7 is by far the most widely-used F-2 subtype for skilled foreigners. It is earned through Korea's K-Point scoring system — you need 80 or more points out of a possible 120.
K-Point categories: • Age (max 25 pts): Younger applicants score higher • Education (max 35 pts): PhD = 35, Master's = 30, Bachelor's = 25; Korean university graduates get bonus points • Korean language / TOPIK score (max 20 pts): TOPIK 6 = 20 pts, TOPIK 5 = 15 pts, etc. • Korean work experience (max 15 pts): Time spent working legally in Korea • Annual salary (income above per-capita GNI adds points) • Bonus points: Korean university graduate (+10), priority industry sector (+10), national certification (+5)
Stay period: Initially issued for 1–3 years. Extensions are for up to 5 years after the first renewal.
The F-2-7 three-strikes extension rule
F-2-7 is NOT permanent — it must be renewed. There is an important rule about extensions:
• At each extension, you must still meet the income requirement (≥ per-capita GNI) • If you fail the income requirement THREE consecutive times, your F-2-7 cannot be renewed • After the 3rd rejection due to income, you must revert to a different visa status (such as your previous work visa)
This rule is designed to ensure F-2-7 holders maintain economic contribution. If your income drops — due to a career change, freelancing slump, or gap period — plan ahead. The 3-strikes rule applies at each renewal cycle.
F-2-7S: Startup founder exception (스타트업 특례)
F-2-7S is a special subtype for foreign entrepreneurs who start a business in Korea. The key difference from standard F-2-7:
• Income requirement is evaluated differently: if you meet the income requirement in Year 1 of your startup, the income check is waived for Years 2–5 • If you fail the income requirement in Year 1, you must re-apply annually until you meet it • This effectively gives startup founders a 5-year window to build their business to profitability without losing visa status • After 5 years under F-2-7S with the income requirement met, you may be eligible for F-5 permanent residency
F-2-7S is specifically designed for holders of startup-related visas (D-8-4 or D-10-2) who establish a qualifying Korean company.
Path from F-2-7 to F-5 permanent residency
F-2-7 is the most efficient stepping stone to F-5 permanent residency:
- Maintain F-2-7 status for 3 consecutive years
- During that period, maintain income ≥ per-capita GNI each year
- Pass TOPIK Level 3 or above (or equivalent Korean language test)
- Maintain a clean immigration record
- Apply for F-5 at your local immigration office
This 3-year path to F-5 via F-2-7 is faster than the 5-year path for most other visa types. It is one of the main reasons skilled foreigners target F-2-7 as their intermediate goal.
Tips from 행정사s
Calculate your K-Point score before applying — use the official calculator on HiKorea. If you are just below 80 points, a year of Korean language study (TOPIK) or another year of Korean work experience may push you over.
Keep your NTS income certificate (소득금액증명원) accessible every year — you will need it at each F-2-7 renewal.
If your income in one year is below GNI due to a career transition, prepare documentation (new job offer letter, freelance contracts) to show your income situation is temporary.
Korean university graduates get significant bonus K-Points (+10) — studying at a Korean university before applying for F-2-7 is a viable strategy.
Need help with this?
Talk to a verified 행정사
Our specialists handle korea f-2 resident visa subtypes — f-2-7 points system and the startup exception explained cases regularly and know exactly what Korean immigration officers look for.
Featured Partners
Verified professionals who can help with your visa application
Key Immigration Terms
Unfamiliar with a term? Browse the full glossary
Visa Process
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
Visa Process
HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Process
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum income for F-2-7?
Your annual income must be at or above Korea's per-capita GNI at the time of your extension application. For 2025 this is approximately ₩42–43 million/year. This is verified through your NTS income certificate (소득금액증명원).
Can F-2-7 holders work in any job?
Yes — F-2-7 grants near-unrestricted work rights. You can work for any employer, change jobs freely, freelance, or run your own business without immigration approval. This is a major advantage over E-series work visas.
Does F-2-7 let me bring my family?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried dependent children can apply for F-3 (Dependent) visa status, which allows them to live in Korea but not work independently. After you obtain F-5, your dependents may be eligible to apply for their own F-5 or other long-term status.
How many K-Points do I need for F-2-7?
You need 80 points or more out of a possible 120. Points come from age, education, Korean language (TOPIK), Korean work experience, salary, and various bonuses. Use the K-Point calculator on HiKorea to estimate your score.