South Korea•Asia1-2 months
60 USD
3 years
Yes
Not Required
Not Specified
Available
Not Required
Points-based long-term residence status for skilled foreigners already in Korea, granted in 3-year increments and the principal pathway to F-5 permanent residence.
The F-2 Long-term Residency Visa, sub-code F-2-7, lets foreigners already on a Korean work or study visa (E-1 to E-7, D-2, D-8, D-10) convert to a flexible residence status. Points are awarded for age, education, income, Korean-language ability, and prior residence, with 80 points the typical threshold.
F-2 holders get open work authorisation — no employer sponsor required — and can change jobs or start a business without re-applying. The status is granted for up to 3 years per issuance and is renewable indefinitely. After meeting income and residence conditions, F-2 residents are the primary feeder pool for F-5 permanent residence.
This visa is ideal for mid-career professionals, founders, and Korean-university graduates who have built a base in Korea and want to decouple their stay from a specific employer while moving toward permanent residence.
| Initial grant | 3 years |
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
Must be a registered foreigner currently holding an eligible visa status (e.g., D-2, D-10, E-1 through E-7, D-8, etc.).
Must meet specific criteria for the chosen F-2 sub-category (e.g., scoring 80+ points on the F-2-7 points-based system, or meeting investment/residency thresholds for F-2-99).
Must have a clean criminal record and no history of violating the Immigration Control Act.
Must demonstrate financial independence or meet minimum income requirements (often linked to GNI per capita).
Must possess basic Korean language proficiency (e.g., TOPIK score or completion of the Social Integration Program).
Must intend to reside in Korea long-term and have a stable living base.
Education
bachelor or higher
Min. Income
44,051,000 EUR/yr
Integrated visa application form
Valid passport and Alien Registration Card (ARC)
Recent passport-sized photograph
Proof of residence (e.g., lease agreement or housing confirmation)
Criminal background check (apostilled/authenticated)
Degree or graduation certificates
Employment contract and proof of income (e.g., tax payment certificates)
Proof of Korean language proficiency
Business registration and corporate financial documents (if applicable)
| Visa Application Form | — |
| Fee Breakdown | Long-term single-entry visa (91 days or longer): 60 USD | overseas.mofa.go.kr |
| Fees | USD 60 (long-term single-entry); fees vary by nationality and reciprocity | overseas.mofa.go.kr |
| Max Stay Estimate | type: years, initialDays: 1095, notes: 3 years per grant, renewable indefinitely; F-2 itself is long… | immigration.go.kr |
| Official Code | F-2-7 | immigration.go.kr |
| Petitioner | self | immigration.go.kr |
| Pr Pathway | true | overseas.mofa.go.kr |
| Renewable | true | immigration.go.kr |
| Spouse Can Work | yes | immigration.go.kr |
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