(영주, permanent residency) is the highest long-term stay status in Korea short of naturalisation. It grants an indefinite right of residence — no periodic renewals, no employment restrictions, and the freedom to live and work anywhere in Korea without worrying about visa expiry. This guide walks through every major pathway to F-5, what documents you need, and what comes after.
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
April 22, 2026
Source references
Stay-manual sections covering F-5 permanent residency qualification review, income/assets, absences, and cancellation risk.
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.
These points are drawn from Korea immigration manuals and recurring review patterns for higher-risk guide topics.
Ministry of Justice Immigration Policy Bureau: Stay-manual sections on F-5 qualification review, income/assets, absence history, and cancellation risk.
F-5 is issued to foreigners who have demonstrated long-term ties to Korea and meet financial and conduct requirements. Once granted, the F-5 card is replaced every 10 years (로 alien registration card renewal) but the underlying status does not expire.
Key benefits of F-5:
The most common path for working professionals. Requirements:
- *Income:* Roughly equal to the per-capita GNI for the previous year (updated each year — approximately ₩38–42M/year for 2025 reference; check the current KIS announcement)
- *Assets:* Sufficient to support yourself and dependants (typically ₩30–50M in liquid assets or property)
- TOPIK Level 1 or higher
- KIIP (사회통합프로그램) Stage 1 or higher completion
- Graduation from a Korean elementary, middle, or high school
- Korean Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) permanent residency eligibility test (KIPRAT) pass
If you hold an (marriage to a Korean national) visa, you can apply for after:
Additional requirements:
This is among the fastest paths to — two years of stable marriage-visa residence followed by a straightforward application.
If you have been living on F-2-7 (points-based skilled migrant residency) for 3 years, you can apply for (specifically F-5-16, the points-based permanent residency).
F-2-7 itself requires scoring ≥ 80 points across categories including age, education, Korean language ability, income, and employment. After holding F-2-7 for 3 years:
The F-2-7 → pathway is popular with skilled workers in technology, finance, and management.
Ethnic Koreans with foreign citizenship who hold can apply for after 5 years of continuous stay in Korea. This is F-5-6 (overseas Korean permanent residency).
Requirements:
Note: Long absences (30+ consecutive days abroad) may affect the continuous stay count. Maintain records of your entry/exit stamps.
Foreign investors can obtain directly if they:
The investment must be registered under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act and be an active, ongoing investment at the time of application. under this pathway is usually processed more quickly for significant investors.
Individuals with exceptional credentials can qualify:
F-5-10 (첨단산업 분야 박사 / Advanced technology PhD): Hold a PhD in an advanced technology field AND be employed by a Korean company in that field. Stay requirement is typically 3 years.
F-5-11 (학사·석사 및 자격증 소지자): Hold a bachelor's or master's degree in an advanced technology field or a general field (with a master's), plus a relevant national technical qualification, and be employed by a Korean company. Stay requirement varies.
Both require employment at a Korean company in the field of your qualification and a continuous stay of at least the minimum period.
Where to apply: Your local immigration office (출입국ㆍ외국인청) in Korea. cannot be applied for from abroad — you must be in Korea.
Common documents for most pathways:
Fee: ₩200,000
Processing time: Typically 4–8 weeks. Complex cases may take longer.
Pull your full entry/exit history from HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) before applying — calculate whether any extended absences broke your continuous stay period. A single trip abroad of 30+ days may restart the clock under some pathways.
Prepare income documents for the full year(s) leading up to your application. If your income fluctuates, bring 2–3 years of tax certificates and show a cumulative average.
TOPIK Level 1 is sufficient for most F-5 pathways, but the KIIP route (completing Stage 1 through a KIIP programme) has the added benefit of counting toward the income/financial requirements — some immigration offices accept KIIP completion as a positive sign even when it is not strictly required.
If you are on E-7 and planning a long-term stay, consider switching to F-2-7 (points-based residency) as early as possible to start the 3-year clock for F-5-16.
F-5 does not lead automatically to Korean nationality — naturalisation (귀화) is a separate process requiring an additional year of residence, language testing, and an interview. But having F-5 makes the naturalisation application significantly smoother.
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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.
Does F-5 expire?
The F-5 status itself is permanent — it does not expire and does not need to be renewed. However, the physical alien registration card (외국인등록증) must be renewed every 10 years by visiting the immigration office. Missing the card renewal does not cancel your F-5 status, but carrying an expired card is technically a violation. Set a calendar reminder well in advance of your card's expiry date.
Can I lose F-5 status?
Yes, but only in serious circumstances: naturalisation as a Korean citizen (status is absorbed), voluntary renunciation, prolonged absence from Korea (generally 2+ consecutive years outside Korea may lead to revocation), or conviction for a serious crime. Ordinary stays abroad, travel, and temporary relocation do not affect F-5 unless they extend continuously beyond approximately 2 years.
Does time on a student visa (D-2) count toward F-5?
D-2 time counts toward the 5-year continuous stay for the F-5-1 (general) pathway, subject to the same rules about 30-day absences. D-4 (language study) time may also count, but review the current KIS guidelines as there have been periodic rule updates about which statuses contribute to the continuous stay calculation.
What income and assets do I need for F-5?
KIS updates the specific amounts each year. For the 2024–2025 period, the general benchmark is an annual income at or above the national per-capita GNI (approximately ₩38–42M). Asset requirements are roughly ₩30–50M in verifiable savings or property. These thresholds are per-person and may be higher for applicants supporting dependants. Always check the current KIS F-5 guidance or ask at your local immigration office for the most up-to-date numbers.
Can my family also get F-5?
Spouses and minor children of F-5 holders can apply for F-5 on a dependent basis (F-5-4) — they do not need to meet the same 5-year stay or income requirements individually. However, the primary F-5 holder's status must remain valid, and the family members must also have good conduct and valid residency. Adult children must qualify independently.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026