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 multiple subtypes (F-2-1 through F-2-7) for very different situations. Understanding which subtype applies to you is essential for planning your path to long-term residency in Korea.
These subtypes cover specific circumstances where a foreigner has strong ties to Korea but does not fit into a standard work or family visa:
• F-2-1: Spouse or child of a Korean national who does not qualify for F-6 (e.g., unmarried partner, stepchildren in certain circumstances)
• F-2-2: Person of Korean descent (not covered by F-4) in specific circumstances
• F-2-3: Individual recognized under special treaties or MOJ discretion
• F-2-4: Holders who have lived in Korea for a long period and meet stability criteria
• F-2-5: Persons with significant investment in or contribution to Korea
• F-2-6: Humanitarian-related long-term residents (often connected to G-1 humanitarian cases)
These subtypes are issued case by case at the MOJ's discretion. They are less common than F-2-7 and cannot be applied for through a standard application — they are typically granted after review by the immigration office based on specific circumstances.
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.
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 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.
F-2-7 is the most efficient stepping stone to F-5 permanent residency:
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.
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.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 korea f-2 resident visa subtypes — f-2-1 to f-2-7 and the startup exception explained 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
전문가 찾기What 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.