South Korea F-2-7 Points-Based Residence

Key requirements

This model assumes a competitive profile and stable documented earnings. The decisive factor is the official points table in force at application time, not one single salary number.

• Income we use for estimates~$2,800 / month (estimate)
• SavingsNot modeled as required
• Accepted income typesRemote salary, Freelance income, Passive income, Pension
• Remote work allowedNo
• Local employment allowedYes
• Health insuranceUsually required
• Criminal record checkUsually required
• Accommodation proofUsually required
• Bank accountUsually required
• Processing (rough)Varies by immigration office workload and document verification

Download the current Ministry of Justice points notice. Private calculators can be wrong after a policy update.

1. 1

   Check you hold an eligible status

   Confirm your current visa or stay type can move to F-2-7 and that you meet any time-in-status rules.

2. 2

   Score yourself on the official table

   Add points for age, education, income, language, and other factors published in the active immigration notice.

3. 3

   Gather Korean income evidence

   Collect tax receipts, employment records, or other papers that match how income is scored at filing time.

4. 4

   Prepare accommodation proof

   Arrange a lease or housing papers in the format your local immigration office expects.

5. 5

   Set up health insurance

   Buy or enroll in coverage that meets Korean rules for residence applicants.

6. 6

   Get criminal background checks

   Request police certificates from countries where you lived, with any stamps or translations required.

7. 7

   Open or verify a Korean bank account

   Many filings need local banking records. Keep account activity consistent with your application story.

8. 8

   Book your immigration office visit

   Use HiKorea or your local office to schedule status change filing and confirm the current checklist.

9. 9

   Submit the F-2-7 application

   File the full packet, pay fees, and respond quickly if the office asks for more documents.

10. 10

    Plan renewals and long-term options

    Stay compliant, keep income and insurance current, and ask about F-5 permanent residence rules when you are ready.

This is general information, not legal advice. Korean points policies and office practice can change. Check HiKorea and Ministry of Justice notices before you apply.

Pathway last reviewed: 2026-06-15

Citizenship & nationality

F-2-7 is not an automatic entry visa for most first-time arrivals; it is typically a status-change or progression path for applicants already in eligible Korean stay categories who can pass a points threshold.

• •Applicants are scored on multiple factors (for example age, recognized education, income, language/integration indicators, and other criteria published in Korean immigration notices).
• •Income evidence is usually tied to official Korean tax documentation and can materially change points outcomes.
• •Meeting a headline score does not remove documentary scrutiny: prior status history, legal compliance, and local office interpretation still matter.
• •Work rights and future transitions can differ from E-category statuses; always validate permitted activities after approval.

Use HiKorea/Immigration Contact Center (1345) and current Ministry of Justice notices for the active points table and evidentiary rules at filing time.

Best for

• •People planning to stay several years with a clear residence record

Long-term path

• Permanent residence: Yes
• Citizenship: Possible, but depends on your case

F-2 resident status can support longer-term settlement planning and may improve future eligibility for F-5 permanent residence under separate criteria.

Practical difficulty

hard

Rough guide only. Your case depends on papers, timing, and rule changes.

Hard reflects selective eligibility, points math sensitivity, documentary burden, and local adjudication variability.