---
title: "F-2-7 Points-Based Visa Korea: How to Calculate Your Score and Qualify"
url: "https://expertsapiens.com/en/blog/korea-f2-7-points-visa-guide-how-to-qualify/"
published: "2026-04-03T17:00:00+00:00"
updated: "2026-04-04T12:26:34.864+00:00"
author: "Mr. Visa Korea"
category: "immigration"
tags: ["mrvisakorea", "immigration", "f2-7", "points-visa"]
description: "The F-2-7 is one of Korea's most flexible long-term visas — and the most underused pathway to permanent residency. Learn how the points system works, which factors matter most, and whether you qualify right now."
license: "all-rights-reserved"
---

# F-2-7 Points-Based Visa Korea: How to Calculate Your Score and Qualify

## What Is the F-2-7 Visa?

The **F-2-7 (Points-Based Long-Term Resident)** visa is one of Korea's most flexible long-term residency options. Unlike the E-7 (which requires an employer and specific occupation), the F-2-7 has no employer requirement and no occupation restriction — you accumulate points from multiple criteria and, if you score high enough, Korea grants you the right to live and work freely for 1–3 years at a time.

It's the primary stepping stone between standard work/study visas and permanent residency (F-5).

## The F-2-7 Points System: How It Works

You need a **minimum of 80 points out of 120** to qualify for the F-2-7. Points are awarded across six categories:

### 1\. Age (Max 20 points)

<table><thead><tr><th>Age</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>18–24</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>25–29</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>30–34</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>35–39</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>40–44</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>45–49</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>50+</td><td>5</td></tr></tbody></table>

### 2\. Education (Max 30 points)

<table><thead><tr><th>Degree</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>PhD from Korean university</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>PhD from overseas university</td><td>28</td></tr><tr><td>Master's from Korean university</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Master's from overseas university</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>Bachelor's from Korean university</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Bachelor's from overseas university (top 200 QS-ranked)</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>Bachelor's from other overseas university</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>2-year associate degree from Korean institution</td><td>10</td></tr></tbody></table>

### 3\. Korean Language Proficiency (Max 20 points)

<table><thead><tr><th>Level</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>TOPIK Level 6</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>TOPIK Level 5</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>TOPIK Level 4</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>TOPIK Level 3</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>TOPIK Level 2</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>TOPIK Level 1 / KIIP Level 2</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>KIIP Level 4</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>KIIP Level 5 (completion)</td><td>18</td></tr></tbody></table>

### 4\. Annual Income (Max 20 points)

<table><thead><tr><th>Income (KRW / year)</th><th>Points</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>≥ ₩80 million</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>₩60–80 million</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>₩50–60 million</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>₩40–50 million (GNI per capita)</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>₩30–40 million</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>₩20–30 million (minimum wage)</td><td>5</td></tr></tbody></table>

### 5\. Social Contribution (Max 15 points)

Points awarded for contributing to Korean society:

-   Voluntary work at government-registered organizations (10 points for 160+ hours; 8 points for 80+ hours)
-   Tax compliance without violations (5 points)
-   Military service in Korea (for dual citizens) (10 points)
-   Foreign investment in Korea ≥ USD $500,000 (10 points)
-   Korean studies degree from overseas university (5 points)

### 6\. Future Development Potential (Max 15 points)

-   Published academic papers (indexed in SCI, SSCI, or SCIE): 5–10 points
-   Patents registered in Korea: 5–10 points
-   Awards from Korean government or global organizations: 5–10 points
-   Specialized certifications relevant to Korean industry needs: 5 points

## Do You Qualify? Example Scenarios

### Scenario A: 32-year-old US engineer with Bachelor's degree

-   Age (32): 16 points
-   Education (overseas Bachelor's): 15 points
-   Korean (TOPIK Level 3): 14 points
-   Income (₩55M/year on E-7): 16 points
-   Social contribution (volunteer 80 hrs): 8 points
-   **Total: 69 points** — falls short of 80. Needs to improve Korean (TOPIK 4 = +2) and income or volunteer more.

### Scenario B: 27-year-old Indian IT developer with Master's degree

-   Age (27): 18 points
-   Education (overseas Master's): 23 points
-   Korean (TOPIK Level 2): 10 points
-   Income (₩65M/year): 18 points
-   Social contribution (tax compliance): 5 points
-   **Total: 74 points** — close. TOPIK Level 3 (+4) puts them over at 78. Needs TOPIK 3 or better.

## How to Apply for F-2-7

1.  Calculate your points (use the table above or the Korea Immigration Service self-assessment tool at immigration.go.kr)
2.  Gather your supporting documents for each category (degree certificate, TOPIK score report, income certificate, tax certificate, volunteer hours certificate)
3.  Apply at your local immigration office (출입국외국인청) or submit online via HiKorea
4.  Processing time: approximately 4–6 weeks

## F-2-7 to F-5: The PR Pathway

After holding the F-2-7 for 3 consecutive years while meeting income and language requirements, you can apply for **F-5-7 Permanent Residency** — the most common F-5 pathway for professionals who came to Korea on a work visa.

_Source: Korea Immigration Service Points Assessment System, Ministry of Justice | Last verified: March 2026_

_This article is for informational purposes only. Point calculations should be verified with the official Korea Immigration Service portal. Consult a specialist for application support._