F-2-99 Long-Term Residency in Korea — Who Qualifies and How to Apply
If you have been living legally in Korea for 5 or more years on a work, study, or business visa, you may qualify for F-2-99 — the 기타 장기체류 (Other Long-Term Resident) sub-category of the F-2 visa. F-2-99 gives you near-unrestricted work rights, a stable multi-year stay permit, and a clear path to F-5 permanent residency. As of September 2025, spouses and minor children of F-2-99 holders can also apply independently for F-2-99 once they individually meet the requirements.
What is F-2-99 and why does it matter?
F-2-99 (기타 장기체류 — 'other long-term residence') is a sub-category of the F-2 (Resident) visa intended for long-term foreign residents who do not qualify for F-2-7 (the points-based system requiring active professional employment) but have deep ties to Korea through extended lawful residence. Unlike F-2-7, which requires an active employer sponsorship or a profession listed on the E-1 to E-7-1 qualifying visa list, F-2-99 is accessible to a broader range of long-term residents — including those who have been on D-2 (student), D-5–D-9 (business), F-6 (marriage migrant), or even E-9 (if in eligible status) for 5+ continuous years. **Key advantages of F-2-99:** - Work in any sector without needing a separate employer-sponsored work visa - Multi-year stay (1–5 years, renewal based on points score) - Does NOT require current employment to maintain status - Leads directly to F-5 permanent residency after holding F-2-99 for 5 more years - Spouses and minor children can now apply independently (September 2025 change)
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for F-2-99, you must meet ALL of the following: **1. Minimum 5 years continuous legal stay in eligible status:** Eligible visa types: E-1 through E-7, D-5 through D-9, D-2, D-4, F-6, and other qualifying long-stay categories. Gaps in legal status (overstays, status violations) break the 5-year count and can disqualify your application. Short trips abroad (with re-entry permit) generally do not break continuity if your overall residence in Korea is maintained. **2. Stable housing:** You must have a fixed Korean address (demonstrated through 외국인등록증 or 국내거소신고증 address, rental agreement, or property ownership). Temporary addresses or goshiwon (고시원) accommodation may be accepted but are scrutinized more closely. **3. Income requirement:** Annual income ≥ approximately ₩40M (based on the prior year's per capita GNI — the exact threshold is updated each January). This is verified through: 근로소득원천징수영수증 (withholding tax receipt), 소득금액증명원 (income certificate from NTS), or bank statements for self-employed applicants. If your income is below the threshold, qualifying assets may supplement. **4. Asset requirement:** Assets ≥ ₩30M. Counted assets include: Korean bank deposits, Korean real property equity, and domestic investment accounts. Overseas assets may not be directly accepted — consult immigration on what is counted. **5. Korean language / culture aptitude:** One of the following: KIIP (Korea Immigration Integration Programme) Stage 1 completion or higher, pre-assessment (사전평가) score ≥ 41 points, or graduation from a Korean elementary, middle, or high school (while in Korea).
The September 2025 change: spouses and children can now apply independently
Before September 2025, spouses and minor children accompanying an F-2-99 holder typically received F-3 (dependent companion) status — which does not grant work rights or an independent path to F-5. From September 2025, spouses and minor children of F-2-99 holders can apply for their own F-2-99 status independently, provided they individually meet the residence period and basic aptitude requirements. This is a significant change because: - **Spouses** who have been in Korea for 5+ years (on F-3, F-6, or their own work/study visa) and meet the income/asset/language test can now get F-2-99 on their own merits — they no longer need to depend on the primary visa holder's status - **Minor children** who have grown up in Korea and reached the minimum age for independent visa eligibility can also qualify - Both can independently accumulate F-2-99 holding time toward eventual F-5 permanent residency This change matters most for families where one partner has held a work visa while the other was on a dependent F-3 — if the F-3 holder has been in Korea 5+ years and meets the aptitude tests, they can now independently qualify for F-2-99.
How to apply for F-2-99
F-2-99 is a status change (체류자격변경허가) applied for at your local immigration office in Korea. It cannot be applied for from abroad. **Documents typically required:** - Application form (체류자격변경허가 신청서) - Passport and current ARC (Alien Registration Card) - Passport photo - Entry/exit history printout (from HiKorea portal or immigration office counter) - Proof of continuous residence: ARC history, utility bills, lease agreements - Income certificate: 근로소득원천징수영수증 or 소득금액증명원 (issued by National Tax Service) - Bank statements (most recent 6 months) - Asset documentation (bank deposits, property registration extracts if applicable) - KIIP completion certificate, TOPIK score report, or pre-assessment result - Housing proof: lease contract, property registration, utility bills **Fee:** ₩100,000 (status change) **Processing time:** 4–8 weeks. Complex cases (income borderline, gaps in residence) may take longer. **Tip:** Apply before your current visa expires. If you are unsure whether you meet the 5-year continuous stay requirement, visit the immigration office counter or check HiKorea's residence history tool before submitting a formal application.
F-2-99 → F-5 permanent residency path
Holding F-2-99 status for a continuous 5 years makes you eligible for F-5-11 (기타 영주자격) permanent residency — one of the most accessible F-5 pathways for long-term residents who do not qualify through the faster investment, marriage, or professional-points routes. F-5-11 requirements beyond the F-2-99 holding period: - Maintained lawful residence throughout - Proof of continued financial self-sufficiency - Basic Korean language test (TOPIK Level 1+ or KIIP Stage 2+) - No serious criminal record Total timeline: 5 years on qualifying status → F-2-99 change → 5 more years on F-2-99 → F-5-11 permanent residency. Minimum 10 years total.
이민 전문가의 팁
- Start the 5-year clock documentation now — maintain clean ARC records, pay Korean income tax consistently, and build Korean bank deposits.
- KIIP Stage 1 is the easiest aptitude requirement to meet (short online assessment) — complete it well before you hit the 5-year mark so it doesn't delay your application.
- If your income fluctuates, bring 2–3 years of tax records to show a cumulative income picture rather than relying on a single-year certificate.
- Overseas assets are generally not counted in the ₩30M asset requirement — build Korean bank savings or domestic investment to meet this threshold.
- If you are on F-6 (marriage migrant) approaching 5 years, check whether F-2-99 or F-5-2 (direct F-5 after 2 years with Korean spouse) is the faster route for your situation.
도움이 필요하신가요?
검증된 이민 전문가와 상담하세요
저희 전문가들은 f-2-99 long-term residency in korea — who qualifies and how to apply 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
전문가 찾기자주 묻는 질문
Can I apply for F-2-99 while on an E-9 visa?
E-9 is not listed in the standard F-2-99 eligible visa categories (which focus on E-1–E-7, D-5–D-9, D-2, F-6). Long-term E-9 holders should pursue the E-7-4 upgrade pathway first, then use E-7-4 years toward F-2-7 or F-2-99 eligibility. Consult an immigration specialist to confirm current eligibility for your specific situation.
Does time on F-3 (dependent) count toward the 5 years?
F-3 is a dependent visa and has historically not counted toward F-2-99 eligibility. The September 2025 change allows spouses to APPLY for F-2-99 independently, but the 5-year qualifying period must be accumulated on an eligible visa type (E-1–E-7, D-2, D-5–D-9, F-6, etc.), not on F-3 itself. Check with immigration for your specific circumstances.
What if I had a gap in legal status during the 5 years?
Any gap in legal status (overstay, visa expiry without timely extension) resets the 5-year continuity clock. Even a 1-day overstay can be disqualifying. If you had a past status violation, immigration will assess the severity. Minor administrative delays with documented cause may be treated more flexibly than deliberate overstays.
Can I work in any industry on F-2-99?
Yes. F-2-99 grants open work rights — you can be employed in any industry, change employers freely, start a business, or work part-time without additional immigration permits. This is one of the biggest advantages over remaining on a work-category visa.
Does F-2-99 require renewal?
Yes. F-2-99 is a stay permit with a duration based on your aptitude score — from 1 to 5 years per grant (120+ points → 5 yr; 90–119 → 3 yr; minimum → 1 yr). At each renewal you must show continued financial self-sufficiency and stable residence. Provided you maintain compliance, renewals are generally straightforward.