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)
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| 18–24 | 20 |
| 25–29 | 18 |
| 30–34 | 16 |
| 35–39 | 14 |
| 40–44 | 12 |
| 45–49 | 10 |
| 50+ | 5 |
2. Education (Max 30 points)
| Degree | Points |
|---|---|
| PhD from Korean university | 30 |
| PhD from overseas university | 28 |
| Master's from Korean university | 25 |
| Master's from overseas university | 23 |
| Bachelor's from Korean university | 20 |
| Bachelor's from overseas university (top 200 QS-ranked) | 18 |
| Bachelor's from other overseas university | 15 |
| 2-year associate degree from Korean institution | 10 |
3. Korean Language Proficiency (Max 20 points)
| Level | Points |
|---|---|
| TOPIK Level 6 | 20 |
| TOPIK Level 5 | 18 |
| TOPIK Level 4 | 16 |
| TOPIK Level 3 | 14 |
| TOPIK Level 2 | 10 |
| TOPIK Level 1 / KIIP Level 2 | 5 |
| KIIP Level 4 | 14 |
| KIIP Level 5 (completion) | 18 |
4. Annual Income (Max 20 points)
| Income (KRW / year) | Points |
|---|---|
| ≥ ₩80 million | 20 |
| ₩60–80 million | 18 |
| ₩50–60 million | 16 |
| ₩40–50 million (GNI per capita) | 14 |
| ₩30–40 million | 10 |
| ₩20–30 million (minimum wage) | 5 |
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
- Calculate your points (use the table above or the Korea Immigration Service self-assessment tool at immigration.go.kr)
- Gather your supporting documents for each category (degree certificate, TOPIK score report, income certificate, tax certificate, volunteer hours certificate)
- Apply at your local immigration office (출입국외국인청) or submit online via HiKorea
- 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-5-16 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.