← Back to Visa Guide
F-5

F-5 Permanent Residency

Duration

⏱ Permanent

The F-5 visa grants permanent residency in Korea, allowing foreigners to live and work in Korea indefinitely without visa renewals. It is the closest status to Korean citizenship available to foreigners and is the ultimate goal for most long-term residents.

Number of foreigners in Korea hits record high of 2.73 million in June

Who Qualifies?

There are multiple pathways to F-5 permanent residency:

  • Long-term residents β€” Foreigners who have lived in Korea for 5+ years continuously on qualifying visas (E, D, or F visas)

  • F-2 visa holders β€” After holding F-2 status for a qualifying period

  • Spouses of Korean nationals β€” After living in Korea for 2+ years on F-6 visa

  • Investors β€” Those who have invested 500,000,000 KRW or more and employed 5+ Korean nationals

  • Distinguished talent β€” Scientists, professors, athletes, and artists recognized by the Korean government

  • Overseas Koreans (F-4) β€” After 5 years of continuous residency

  • Minors β€” Children of F-5 holders or Korean nationals

General Requirements

  • Minimum 5 years of continuous residency in Korea (some categories require less)

  • Annual income of at least GNI per capita (around 40,000,000 KRW as of 2024)

  • Korean language ability β€” TOPIK Level 3 or higher (some categories exempt)

  • Clean criminal record β€” no convictions in Korea or abroad

  • Full tax compliance β€” no outstanding taxes or penalties

  • Basic knowledge of Korean culture and society β€” tested via interview at some immigration offices

TOPIK Hong Kong (Test Of Proficiency In Korean)

Documents Required

  • Valid passport and ARC

  • Visa application form

  • Proof of continuous residency β€” entry/exit records from immigration

  • Income proof β€” tax payment certificate (납세사싀증λͺ…) and income certificate (μ†Œλ“κΈˆμ•‘μ¦λͺ…)

  • TOPIK certificate β€” Level 3 or higher

  • Criminal background check β€” from Korean National Police Agency

  • Health insurance certificate β€” proof of NHIS enrollment and payment

  • Employment certificate or business registration

  • Application fee β€” around 200,000 KRW

Application Process

  • Step 1: Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements β€” use the HiKorea eligibility checker

  • Step 2: Gather all required documents β€” this can take several months

  • Step 3: Submit your application at your local Immigration Office in person

  • Step 4: Attend an interview if requested by immigration officers

  • Step 5: Wait for approval β€” processing takes 3–6 months

  • Step 6: Receive your new F-5 ARC card β€” valid indefinitely

New immigration center to open in Andong on Oct. 31 - The Korea Herald

Benefits of F-5 Permanent Residency

  • βœ… No visa renewals β€” live in Korea indefinitely

  • βœ… Work in any field without restrictions

  • βœ… Change jobs freely without notifying immigration

  • βœ… Start any type of business

  • βœ… Bring eligible family members to Korea

  • βœ… Access to most government support programs

  • βœ… Children born in Korea to F-5 holders have simplified residency status

  • βœ… Path to Korean naturalization (citizenship) after additional requirements

Maintaining F-5 Status

  • F-5 status is permanent but can be revoked under certain conditions

  • Do not stay outside Korea for more than 2 consecutive years without prior approval

  • Serious criminal convictions can result in deportation and F-5 cancellation

  • Must continue to pay taxes and maintain legal residency

  • Notify immigration of address changes within 14 days

F-5 vs Korean Citizenship

  • F-5 permanent residents cannot vote in national elections (only local elections in some cases)

  • F-5 holders cannot hold a Korean passport

  • Korean citizenship requires renouncing your current citizenship (Korea does not generally allow dual citizenship)

  • Most long-term foreign residents choose F-5 over citizenship to keep their original passport

Tips

  • Start preparing at least 1 year in advance β€” gathering all documents takes significant time

  • Pass TOPIK Level 3 before applying β€” it is one of the most common reasons for rejection

  • Ensure all taxes are fully paid β€” even small outstanding amounts can cause rejection

  • Keep records of all entry and exit dates β€” extended time outside Korea can affect your continuous residency calculation

  • Consider hiring an immigration lawyer (행정사) for complex cases β€” fees are typically 500,000–1,000,000 KRW

Useful Resources