F-2 residence status in Korea: who qualifies and how to change to it

This guide is for foreigners in Korea who want the residence status F-2 (거주), a long-term status on the way to permanent residence (영주, F-5). You normally get it through a change of status (체류자격 변경허가) at an immigration office in Korea, not at an embassy. It follows the Immigration Act and the Ministry of Justice (법무부) stay manual updated on October 19, 2026.

What F-2 is

The Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act (출입국관리법 시행령), Annex 1-2, item 24, lists who may hold F-2. Its purpose is long-term stay with a view to permanent residence, and one grant lasts up to 5 years. Spouses of Korean nationals are not on the list: they hold the marriage migrant status F-6-1 (결혼이민). A child born to a Korean national and a foreign partner can qualify.

Who can get F-2

The points-based route (F-2-7)

You can apply if you are:

• A manager or professional at a KOSPI or KOSDAQ listed company, or hired by one.
• A worker in a designated high-tech field earning at least 1.5 times last year's GNI per person.
• A professional with 3 years in a row on E-1 to E-7-1 or D-5 to D-9 (not E-6-2 or E-7-2 to E-7-4). The 3 years are waived with yearly income of ₩40,000,000 or more.
• A holder of a Korean master's degree or higher with a professional job within 5 years of graduating.
• A master's or doctoral graduate of a designated science and engineering university or institute recommended by its president (F-2-7S), who may stay up to 5 years without the points.

The pass mark is 80. Up to 170 points count: 130 from common items and 40 from bonus points, minus deductions.

Income is the latest year on the tax office's income certificate (소득금액증명). No proof, no job or pay below the minimum wage scores 0. Bonus points: a central government recommendation 20; talent from a Korean War participant country 20; completion of level 5 of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (사회통합프로그램, KIIP) 10; a degree from a QS top 500 or THE top 200 university 30, 20 or 15 (doctorate, master's, bachelor's); a Korean degree 10, 7 or 5; volunteer work 7, 5 or 1 depending on length. Immigration Act penalties (10~30 points) and criminal fines (20~40 points) are deducted.

Grants run 5 years with 130+ points or 50+ income points, 3 years with 120~129 or 45+, 2 years with 110~119 or 40+, and 1 year with 80~109. Your spouse and minor children get F-2-71, with work rights, only if your income is at least last year's GNI per person; otherwise they may stay on F-1 (방문동거) without work.

Long-term residents (F-2-99)

The current F-2-99 (기타 장기체류자) rules apply from July 7, 2025. You need all of these:

• 5 years of continuous stay on D-1, D-5, D-6, D-7, D-9, E-1 to E-5, E-6-1, E-6-3 or E-7, or on D-8 with ₩100,000,000 or more invested. Trips abroad of 91 days or more are left out, and leaving for good and returning after more than 30 days breaks the count.
• Assets of ₩20,000,000 or more held for 6 months, and your own income of ₩40,000,000 or more last year.
• Continued work or business under your current status, and a home fit for long-term living (not a goshiwon or motel).
• Basic Korean: KIIP level 4, a KIIP pre-test score of 81 or more, or a Korean school or university diploma.
• Good conduct, such as no fine of ₩3,000,000 or more within 3 years and no unpaid taxes.

How to apply

1. Book a visit on HiKorea (하이코리아, www.hikorea.go.kr), the immigration e-service site. Without a booking you may not be served.
2. Apply before your current permit ends at the immigration office (출입국·외국인청) covering your address. Permission is needed in advance (Immigration Act Article 24), and extensions must be filed before expiry (Article 25).
3. Submit the integrated application form (Form No. 34, 별지 제34호서식, of the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act), passport, alien registration card, photo, proof of address, the documents for your route and the fee: ₩100,000 for a change of status (₩200,000 for F-5) or ₩60,000 for an extension (Enforcement Rule Article 72). Fees are not refunded.
4. Stay in Korea until the decision; the manual warns that leaving can lead to refusal.
5. If you have broken a Korean law, you may need a 3-hour law-abiding citizen course (준법시민교육) booked at www.socinet.go.kr. One violation of ₩1,000,000 or less that ended more than 10 years ago is exempt.

If refused, the 30-day objection under Article 36 of the Framework Act on Administration (행정기본법) does not apply, because Article 36(8) excludes immigration matters. You can file an administrative appeal (행정심판) within 90 days of learning of the decision (Administrative Appeals Act Article 27) or a lawsuit (행정소송) within 90 days (Administrative Litigation Act Article 20), or apply for another status you qualify for.

After approval

• Work: groups in items 가~다 and 자~파 of the Decree, such as F-2-2, F-2-3, F-2-4 and F-2-7, may take any job (Decree Article 23(2)). F-2-5 and F-2-99 holders are free only in the field of their previous status; other jobs need permission for activities outside your status (체류자격외 활동허가, Immigration Act Article 20), and working without it can lead to deportation (Article 46). F-2-7 and F-2-99 holders may not work in gambling or adult entertainment businesses, and F-2-99 holders may not give private tutoring.
• Address: report a move within 15 days to the immigration office or local government office (Article 36); the fine is up to ₩1,000,000 (Article 98).
• Passport or name: report changes within 15 days (Article 35); the administrative fine is up to ₩1,000,000 (Article 100).
• Travel: no re-entry permit is needed if you return within 1 year, or before your stay ends if sooner (Enforcement Rule Article 44-2). For an absence of more than 1 year and up to 2 years, get a multiple re-entry permit (₩50,000) first.
• F-2-2 children: plan the next status before age 19.

Checklist

• Pick your F-2 group and collect proof; for F-2-7, score yourself and attach proof for each item.
• Book HiKorea and apply at your local office before your permit ends, with the ₩100,000 fee.
• Do not leave Korea until the decision.
• Report moves and passport changes within 15 days.
• If refused, note the 90-day limit for an appeal or lawsuit.