F-5-15 (Doctorate from a Korean Graduate School) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What F-5-15 Is

F-5-15 (일반분야 박사) is for those who completed a regular programme at a Korean graduate school, obtained a doctorate, and are employed by a Korean company. The distinction from F-5-9 is where the degree was earned and the field it sits in.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Applicant meets current F-5-15 pathway criteria.
• Pathway/status-history records are complete and coherent.
• Support-capacity evidence satisfies applicable standards.
• No unresolved immigration/tax compliance issues remain.
• Any pathway-specific conditions are evidenced.

3. Criteria Summary

• F-5-15 is not points-based.
• Review emphasizes pathway fit and long-term continuity.
• Historical documentary coherence is a major factor.
• Weak chain-of-evidence often triggers supplements.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• F-5-15 reviews stable support capacity rather than short-term income peaks.
• Income/tax records should be consistent across review horizon.
• Any employment/business support records must align by timeline and value.
• Unexplained discrepancies materially raise risk.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• F-5-15 is not employer-sponsored.
• Legacy workplace/business compliance can affect adjudication.
• Unreported historical changes may be scrutinized.
• Normalize historical reporting before submission.

6. Required Documents

• Application form, passport, ARC, photo, and fee proof.
• F-5-15 pathway and stay-history records.
• Income/tax/support-capacity documentation.
• Pathway-specific required evidence documents.
• Additional office-requested verification materials.

7. Fees and Processing

• Fees follow current F-5 schedules.
• Processing is often longer due to comprehensive review.
• Supplement rounds are common in pathway-heavy files.
• Submit fully indexed evidence to reduce delay risk.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Pathway does not satisfy F-5-15 criteria.
• Support/income evidence is insufficient or inconsistent.
• Status-history continuity evidence is weak.
• Compliance issues remain unresolved.
• Core records cannot be verified by reviewing office.

9. FAQ