Korean Permanent Residency at a Glance
The F-5 status is Korean permanent residency. It is not one visa with one checklist. It is a family of routes, each with its own code and requirements. Most people know only the general 5-year route. Knowing the others can save years.
The Main Routes
F-5-1: General (5-Year Route)
- 5 years or more of continuous stay in Korea as an adult on statuses from D-7 through E-7, or on F-2. Time on these statuses can be added together.
- Annual income of at least 2× the previous year's per-capita GNI, or net assets of at least 1.5× the previous year's average household net assets.
- A Korean language and society requirement, usually met through the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) or the basic knowledge test.
F-5-2: Marriage Migrants
For the spouse of a Korean national in a continuing legal marriage who has stayed in Korea for 2 years or more on F-6 status, or an F-6 holder raising a child born of that marriage. An income or asset requirement applies to the household.
F-5-16: Points-Based Residents (via F-2-7)
For people who have stayed in Korea for 3 years or more on F-2-7 points-based resident status. Income must be at least 2× the previous year's per-capita GNI, or assets at least 1.5× average household net assets. For many E-7 professionals this is quicker than the 5-year general route.
F-5-9, F-5-10 and F-5-15: Degree-Based Routes
- F-5-9: holders of a doctorate in an advanced-industry field who are employed at a Korean company.
- F-5-10: holders of a bachelor's degree or higher in a field set by the Minister of Justice, or of a designated technical licence, who have stayed in Korea for 3 years or more and are employed at a Korean company at or above the wage level the Minister sets.
- F-5-15: holders of a doctorate earned through a regular course at a Korean graduate school.
F-5-13: Foreign Pension Recipients
For people aged 60 or older who receive a pension from abroad at or above the amount set by the Minister of Justice.
F-5-11 and F-5-12: Exceptional Ability and Special Contribution
For people the Minister of Justice recognises as having outstanding ability in a field such as science, management, education, culture and the arts or sport, and for people recognised as having made a special contribution to Korea.
Investment Routes
- F-5-5 (large investors): investors of USD 500,000 or more who employ 5 or more Korean nationals.
- F-5-17 (tourism and resort facility investors): people who received F-2 status through that investment scheme and have kept the investment for 5 years or more.
- F-5-21 (public-interest investment): people who invested at least the amount set by Ministry of Justice notice on condition of keeping it for 5 years or more.
Investment amounts for the notice-based schemes have changed over time, so check the current notice before relying on any figure.
Family of a Permanent Resident
F-5 is granted individually. A spouse or minor child of an F-5 holder can apply in their own right after staying in Korea for 2 years or more, and the F-5 holder must have held the status for at least 2 years.
Conduct Requirements
Every route also has a conduct test. A prison sentence, a suspended sentence, a fine or an immigration violation within the periods set in the manual disqualifies an applicant, so check your record before applying.
What Permanent Residency Gives You
- No expiry of status. The registration card itself is renewed every 10 years.
- Unrestricted work. Any lawful job, self-employment, or several jobs at once, with no employer sponsorship.
- It can still be cancelled in the cases the Immigration Act sets out.
Permanent residency is not citizenship. Naturalisation is a separate application.
Fee
A change of status to F-5 costs ₩200,000.
Which Route Fits You?
- On E-7: F-5-1 after 5 years, or move to F-2-7 with 80 points or more and apply for F-5-16 after 3 years on it.
- On F-6: F-5-2 after 2 years of stay in a continuing marriage.
- On F-2-7: F-5-16 after 3 years.
- Doctorate holder: F-5-9 (advanced-industry field, employed at a Korean company) or F-5-15 (doctorate from a Korean graduate school).
- Aged 60 or older with a foreign pension: F-5-13.
The F-5 permanent residency page lists each route in more detail.
Sources: Ministry of Justice stay manual (September 2026 edition), permanent residency chapter; Immigration Act Enforcement Rules, Article 72 (fees) | Last checked against these sources: October 2026
This article is for informational purposes only. Immigration rules change. Consult a qualified immigration specialist about your own case.