F-5-17 (Permanent Residency Subtype) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What F-5-17 Is

F-5-17 is a purpose-specific PR pathway under F-5. It is not a temporary stay category and is reviewed on pathway eligibility, lawful residence continuity, and robust supporting evidence at PR-level scrutiny.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Applicant meets current F-5-17 pathway eligibility conditions.
• Can prove required lawful residence/compliance continuity.
• Income/self-support records satisfy PR review standards.
• Identity/background and pathway-specific records are complete and consistent.
• Filing reflects latest F-5 subtype guidance after revisions.

3. Criteria Summary

• F-5-17 is a PR subtype and not a standard K-point status.
• Review is pathway-compliance and evidence-quality driven.
• F-5 subtype treatment may change through policy/manual updates.
• Always verify current subtype criteria before filing.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• F-5-17 is not employer salary-threshold based.
• Stable lawful self-support evidence remains central to PR review.
• Income/tax/support records should remain consistent across evaluation period.
• Weak or conflicting financial evidence can materially harm approval outcomes.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• F-5-17 is not employer-sponsored as core basis once pathway criteria are met.
• Past workplace/status compliance can still be examined at PR stage.
• Unresolved reporting/non-compliance history may affect adjudication.
• Transition from prior statuses should show complete compliance continuity.

6. Required Documents

• PR application set (form, passport, ARC, photo, fee proof).
• F-5-17 pathway evidence proving subtype eligibility.
• Income/self-support and tax/compliance records required in review.
• Identity/background documents and required legal records.
• Additional office-specific supporting documents requested during adjudication.

7. Fees and Processing

• F-5 fees follow official schedules in manuals.
• PR processing can be lengthy due to expanded verification scope.
• Evidence deficiencies often trigger supplement rounds.
• Pre-filing evidence QA improves timeline and outcome predictability.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Pathway eligibility for F-5-17 is not sufficiently proven.
• Income/support records fail PR-level sufficiency or consistency standards.
• Compliance/residence continuity evidence is incomplete.
• Application uses outdated subtype assumptions after revisions.
• Material prior immigration issues remain unresolved.

9. FAQ