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F-2-7 Points-Based Visa: Complete Guide to Korean Residency for Skilled Professionals in 2026

F-2-7 points-based visa application guide for skilled professionals in Korea

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What is the F-2-7 Visa?

Overview

The F-2-7 visa, officially called “Residence (Outstanding Skilled Professionals)” or 포인트제 우수인재 체류자격, is a long-term residence visa granted to foreign professionals who accumulate sufficient points based on objective criteria.

Key characteristics:

F-2-7 vs Other F-2 Visa Types

The F-2 visa category includes 18 different subtypes. Here’s how F-2-7 compares to the most common ones:

Visa TypeBasisInvestment RequiredPoints RequiredProcessing Time
F-2-7Skills/educationNone80+ points2-4 months
F-2-1Marriage to Korean nationalNoneN/A3-6 months
F-2-2Child of F-5 holderNoneN/A1-2 months
F-2-5Post-study residenceNone76+ points (modified)2-3 months
F-2-8Real estate investment₩500M+N/A4-6 months
F-2-12Public fund investment₩500M+N/A4-6 months
F-2-99Refugee, special casesVariesN/AVaries

For most skilled professionals without Korean family ties or large capital, F-2-7 is the most accessible option.

Why the F-2-7 Visa Matters

Freedom from Employer Dependency

Most foreign professionals in Korea work on E-series visas (E-1 professor, E-2 language instructor, E-7 specialized worker, etc.). These visas have significant limitations:

The F-2-7 visa eliminates these constraints. You can:

Path to Permanent Residency (F-5)

Perhaps most importantly, F-2-7 holders become eligible for F-5 permanent residence after:

Once you have F-5, you gain:

For professionals planning long-term careers in Korea, F-2-7 is the essential intermediate step toward F-5.

The Points System: How Scoring Works

Minimum Score Requirements

To qualify for F-2-7, you need 80 points minimum out of a possible 120+ points across five categories:

  1. Education (maximum 35 points)
  2. Work Experience (maximum 20 points)
  3. Korean Language Ability (maximum 20 points)
  4. Age (maximum 20 points)
  5. Additional Criteria (maximum 30+ points)

Let’s break down each category in detail.

Category 1: Education (Maximum 35 Points)

Scoring Table

QualificationPointsNotes
PhD (Doctorate)35From accredited university
Master’s30From accredited university
Bachelor’s254-year degree from accredited university
Associate (2-year)0Not eligible for points

2026 Updates and Clarifications

Korean university bonus: Degrees from Korean universities now receive +3 points (added in 2025 reforms). So a Master’s from a Korean university = 33 points instead of 30.

Accreditation requirement: Your degree must be from an institution recognized by the Ministry of Education in your home country. Diploma mills and unaccredited online programs are explicitly rejected.

Multiple degrees: Only your highest degree counts. You can’t stack points (e.g., Bachelor’s + Master’s = 55). It’s Master’s = 30 points maximum.

Field of study: As of 2026, there are no bonus points for STEM fields under the education category. All fields (humanities, arts, sciences, engineering) receive equal treatment. (However, STEM fields may help in Category 5: Additional Criteria.)

Verification Requirements

You must submit:

Processing time: Apostille and verification can take 4-8 weeks. Start early.

Category 2: Work Experience (Maximum 20 Points)

Scoring Table

Years of ExperiencePointsNotes
10+ years20In same field as current Korean employment
7-9 years15In same field
5-6 years10In same field
3-4 years5In same field
0-2 years0No points awarded

Key Rules for Work Experience

“Same field” requirement: Your prior work experience must be closely related to your current job in Korea. For example:

Evidence required:

Part-time and freelance: Generally doesn’t count unless you can prove full-time equivalent hours and continuous income.

PhD research years: If you worked as a research assistant during your PhD, those years may count if your PhD and current work are in the same field. Provide proof of employment (not just student stipend).

2026 Clarification: Korean Work Experience

Your Korean work experience does not count toward Category 2 points. Only foreign work experience before arriving in Korea is scored here.

However, Korean work experience does matter for eligibility—you must have held a valid work visa (E-1 through E-7) in Korea for at least 1 year before applying for F-2-7.

Category 3: Korean Language Ability (Maximum 20 Points)

Scoring Table

TOPIK LevelPointsEquivalent
TOPIK Level 620Native-level fluency
TOPIK Level 518Advanced fluency
TOPIK Level 416Upper intermediate
TOPIK Level 314Intermediate
TOPIK Level 210Basic conversation
TOPIK Level 15Elementary
No certification0Not eligible

Understanding TOPIK

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean / 한국어능력시험) is the standardized Korean language test administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED).

Two tiers:

Test format (TOPIK II):

Scoring:

Test Availability and Strategy

Test frequency: TOPIK is offered 6 times per year in Korea (January, April, May, July, October, November). Registration opens about 2 months before each test.

Registration: Through www.topik.go.kr (Korean) or regional testing centers abroad. Fee: ₩40,000 in Korea.

Results validity: TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. Plan accordingly—if your score expires before your F-2-7 application is approved, you’ll need to retake the test.

Study timeline:

Practical Strategy for Point Optimization

If you’re starting from zero: Focus on reaching Level 4 (16 points) within 18-24 months. This is achievable with consistent effort and provides good ROI.

If you’re already intermediate: Push for Level 5 (18 points). The jump from 16 to 18 points can be the difference between qualifying (80 points) or not.

Level 6 vs. Level 5: Level 6 is extremely difficult and only adds 2 points over Level 5. Unless you’re already near-native level, don’t stress about Level 6.

Alternative: Social Integration Program (see Category 5) can provide points without TOPIK, but TOPIK is generally more efficient.

Category 4: Age (Maximum 20 Points)

Scoring Table

Age RangePointsRationale
25-29 years old20Prime career-building years
30-34 years old18Peak productivity years
35-39 years old16Experienced professionals
40-44 years old14Senior professionals
45-49 years old12Late-career professionals
50-54 years old10Approaching retirement age
24 or younger0Too early in career
55 or older0Near or past retirement age

Key Points

Age at application: Points are based on your age at the time of F-2-7 application submission, not approval.

Strategic timing: If you’re on the cusp of an age bracket (e.g., turning 35 soon), consider applying before your birthday to preserve higher points.

No control: Unlike education or language, you can’t change your age. Focus on maximizing other categories.

Peak advantage: Applicants in their late 20s to mid-30s have a natural advantage in this category, earning 18-20 points without effort.

Category 5: Additional Criteria (Maximum 30+ Points)

This category includes various bonus points for special achievements, qualifications, and contributions. Here’s where you can differentiate yourself.

5.1 Income Level (Maximum 12 Points)

Points awarded based on your annual salary in Korea:

Income LevelPointsApproximate Salary (2026)
200% of Korean GNI per capita12≥₩93 million/year
150% of GNI per capita10≥₩70 million/year
100% of GNI per capita8≥₩46.5 million/year
Below 100% of GNI0<₩46.5 million/year

GNI per capita definition: Korea’s Gross National Income per capita, updated annually. For 2026, it’s approximately ₩46.5 million.

Evidence required:

Stock options and bonuses: Only base salary counts. Stock grants, performance bonuses, and equity compensation are excluded.

5.2 Professional Qualifications (Maximum 7 Points)

If you hold professional licenses or certifications recognized in Korea:

Qualification TypePointsExamples
Korean national certification7CPA, attorney, medical license, etc.
Foreign certification (Korea-recognized)5CPA (US), PMP, CFA, etc.
International certification3Six Sigma, CISSP, etc.

Key requirement: Certification must be relevant to your current work in Korea.

Examples of recognized certifications:

Not eligible: General certifications unrelated to your field (e.g., yoga instructor certification when you work in IT).

5.3 Patents and Intellectual Property (Maximum 5 Points)

IP TypePointsRequirements
Patent holder (Korea or abroad)5 per patentMax 2 patents = 10 points total
Patent application pending2 per applicationMax 1 application = 2 points

Requirements:

5.4 Academic Achievements (Maximum 3 Points)

AchievementPointsRequirements
Published papers in SCI/SSCI journals3Per paper, max 2 papers = 6 points
Published papers in Korean academic journals2Per paper, max 1 paper = 2 points
Published books2Academic or professional books

Requirements:

5.5 Social Integration Program (KIIP) Completion (Maximum 20 Points)

The Korea Immigration & Integration Program (KIIP) is a government-run program for foreign residents. Completing it can provide up to 20 points, partially substituting for TOPIK.

KIIP Level CompletedPoints AwardedKorean Level Equivalent
Stage 5 (advanced)20Similar to TOPIK Level 4-5
Stage 4 (intermediate-high)16Similar to TOPIK Level 3-4
Stage 3 (intermediate)12Similar to TOPIK Level 2-3

KIIP vs. TOPIK strategy:

5.6 Volunteer Work in Korea (Maximum 5 Points)

Volunteer HoursPointsRequirements
100+ hours5Over past 2 years
50-99 hours3Over past 2 years
20-49 hours2Over past 2 years

Requirements:

Pro tip: Many F-2-7 applicants overlook this easy category. Volunteering 2 hours per week for a year gets you 5 points.

5.7 Tax Payment Record (Maximum 3 Points)

Tax ContributionPointsRequirements
Paid ≥₩10 million in taxes over past 3 years3National Tax Service records
No tax delinquenciesMandatoryNegative record disqualifies you

What counts:

What doesn’t count:

5.8 Family Ties in Korea (Maximum 5 Points)

Family SituationPointsRequirements
Spouse is Korean citizen5Married and cohabiting
Parent is F-5 permanent resident5Biological or legally adopted parent
Sibling is Korean citizen3Biological or legally adopted sibling

Note: If your spouse is Korean, you’d typically apply for F-2-1 (marriage visa) instead of F-2-7, unless you prefer the points-based route.

Sample Point Calculations

Let’s look at realistic scenarios for 2026 applicants:

Scenario 1: Young Software Engineer

Background:

Point Calculation:

Total: 84 pointsQualified


Scenario 2: Mid-Career Marketing Manager

Background:

Point Calculation:

Total: 102 pointsHighly Qualified


Scenario 3: English Teacher (Challenging Case)

Background:

Point Calculation:

Total: 75 pointsDoes not qualify

What this applicant needs:


Scenario 4: Senior Researcher with PhD

Background:

Point Calculation:

Total: 109 pointsExtremely Qualified

Note: This applicant doesn’t need KIIP completion (which would replace Korean language points, not add to them).

Application Process: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Self-Assessment (1-2 weeks)

Calculate your current points honestly:

Step 2: Bridge the Gap (Varies)

If you’re short of 80 points, prioritize:

Quick wins (3-6 months):

Longer-term strategies (1-2 years):

Step 3: Gather Documents (1-2 months)

Required documents include:

Core documents:

  1. Application form (출입국관리법 시행규칙 [별지 제34호서식])
  2. Passport copy
  3. Current visa status document (alien registration card)
  4. Recent photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm, white background)
  5. Criminal background check from home country apostilled
  6. Korean criminal background check (경찰청 범죄경력회보서)
  7. Health examination certificate from designated hospital

Education: 8. Diploma (original + apostille) 9. Official transcript (original + apostille) 10. Degree verification report (WES, CDGDC, etc.)

Work experience: 11. Employment certificates from all previous employers 12. Job description letters 13. Pay stubs or tax documents proving employment periods

Korean language: 14. TOPIK certificate (or KIIP completion certificate)

Income: 15. Current employment contract 16. Recent pay stubs (last 6 months) 17. Tax withholding statements

Additional qualifications (if applicable): 18. Professional certification copies 19. Patent certificates or applications 20. Published paper copies with journal information 21. Volunteer certificates from organizations 22. Tax payment records from National Tax Service

Step 4: Application Submission (1 day)

Where to apply:

Appointment required: Book online at hikorea.go.kr at least 1-2 weeks in advance.

Application fee: ₩100,000 (non-refundable)

In-person submission: You must appear in person with all original documents. Immigration officers will review and may ask clarifying questions.

Step 5: Document Review (2-4 months)

Immigration authorities will:

Additional documents: Be prepared to submit supplementary evidence if requested. Respond promptly to avoid delays.

Step 6: Decision Notification (Email/Text)

You’ll receive notification via:

Possible outcomes:

Step 7: Visa Issuance (1 week)

If approved:

Cost: ₩200,000 for new alien registration card

Total Timeline

Realistic timeline from decision to start to F-2-7 approval:

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Pitfall #1: Overestimating Work Experience Points

Many applicants assume all their work experience counts, but only experience in the same field as your current Korean job qualifies.

Fix: Be conservative. If your prior role wasn’t clearly related, don’t count it. Immigration is strict about this.

Pitfall #2: Expired TOPIK Scores

TOPIK scores are only valid for 2 years. If your application isn’t approved before expiration, you’ll need to retake the test.

Fix: Take TOPIK as late as possible in your application timeline. If your score is near expiration, retake the test before applying.

Pitfall #3: Insufficient Income Documentation

Some applicants provide only employment contracts without pay stubs or tax records, which immigration rejects.

Fix: Gather 6-12 months of pay stubs and official tax withholding statements from your employer.

Pitfall #4: Incomplete Apostille for Foreign Documents

Korean immigration requires Apostille certification for all foreign documents (diplomas, criminal checks). Embassy certification is not sufficient for Hague Convention countries.

Fix: Use official Apostille services in your home country. Budget 4-8 weeks for processing.

Pitfall #5: Claiming Points for Irrelevant Certifications

Holding a CPA license doesn’t help if you work as a software engineer. Immigration requires relevance.

Fix: Only claim certifications directly related to your current job in Korea.

Pitfall #6: Neglecting Volunteer Work

Many applicants miss easy 3-5 points by not tracking volunteer hours.

Fix: Start volunteering early (2 hours/week for 50 weeks = 100 hours = 5 points). Popular organizations:

Strategic Optimization: Maximizing Your Points

If You’re at 75-79 Points (Close but Short)

Priority actions:

  1. Retake TOPIK for one level higher (+2-4 points)
  2. Volunteer 100+ hours (+5 points)
  3. Negotiate salary increase to cross GNI threshold (+8 points)
  4. File patent application in your field (+2 points)

Timeframe: 3-12 months

If You’re at 65-74 Points (Significant Gap)

Priority actions:

  1. Pursue TOPIK Level 5 if currently Level 3 (+4 points)
  2. Complete KIIP program (potentially +16-20 points if not using TOPIK)
  3. Change to higher-paying job (+8-10 points if income increases)
  4. Enroll in Master’s program (+5 points, but 2-year commitment)

Timeframe: 1-2 years

If You’re Below 65 Points

Hard truth: F-2-7 may not be realistic in the short term. Consider:

Timeframe: 2-3+ years

After Getting F-2-7: Next Steps

Updating Your Visa Status

Once approved:

Path to F-5 Permanent Residency

F-2-7 holders become eligible for F-5 permanent residence after:

F-5 requirements beyond time:

For detailed F-5 guidance, see our article: F-2 to F-5 Visa: Path to Permanent Residency for Foreign Investors in Korea.

Career Flexibility with F-2-7

With F-2-7, you can:

F-2-7 for Specific Professions

University Professors (E-1 Visa Holders)

Advantages for F-2-7:

Typical total: 90-100+ points (very strong candidates)

Strategy: Focus on TOPIK Level 4+ (16-18 points) to ensure qualification. Many professors struggle with Korean language—prioritize study.

Software Engineers (E-7 Visa Holders)

Challenges for F-2-7:

Typical range: 75-90 points (on the edge)

Strategy:

English Teachers (E-2 Visa Holders)

Significant challenges for F-2-7:

Typical range: 60-75 points (usually insufficient)

Reality check: F-2-7 is very difficult for E-2 teachers unless you:

Alternative path: Consider switching to E-7 visa (specialized worker) in education-related field, or pursue F-2-1 (marriage) if applicable.

Corporate Employees (E-7 Visa Holders)

Advantages for F-2-7:

Typical range: 80-95 points (solid candidates)

Strategy:

Recent Changes

Korean university bonus (2025): Degrees from Korean universities now receive +3 points. This encourages foreign students to stay in Korea after graduation.

Income thresholds updated (2026): GNI per capita increased to ₩46.5 million (up from ₩44.2 million in 2025), raising the bar slightly for income points.

Apostille enforcement (2025-2026): Immigration has become stricter about apostille vs. embassy certification. Ensure your documents have proper Apostille stamps.

KIIP expansion (2026): More KIIP classes now offered in English, making it more accessible to foreign professionals who struggle with full Korean-language programs.

What’s Coming

Potential reforms in late 2026-2027:

Immigration policy direction: Korea is actively trying to attract skilled foreign workers to address demographic decline and labor shortages. F-2-7 is likely to become more accessible, not more restrictive, in coming years.

Conclusion: Is F-2-7 Right for You?

The F-2-7 points-based visa is an excellent pathway to Korean residency for skilled professionals who:

It’s challenging but achievable. Unlike investment-based visas requiring ₩500 million+, or marriage-based visas requiring Korean family ties, F-2-7 rewards education, skills, and integration effort.

Timeline reality: Most successful F-2-7 applicants spend 2-3 years in Korea on E-series visas before qualifying. Use that time strategically:

The F-2-7 advantage: Once you have it, you gain career flexibility, long-term stability, and a clear path to permanent residency. For professionals committed to building careers in Korea, F-2-7 is one of the best long-term investments you can make.

Need Help with Your F-2-7 Application?

At SMA Lawfirm, we provide comprehensive immigration advisory services for foreign professionals in Korea:

Points assessment and strategic planning: We calculate your current score and identify optimal paths to 80+ points ✅ Document preparation and translation: We handle apostille requirements, translations, and application compilation ✅ Application representation: We accompany you to immigration appointments and handle communications with authorities ✅ Career strategy consultation: We advise on job changes, salary negotiations, and qualification building to maximize your points ✅ Family visa coordination: We assist with F-3 dependent visas for your spouse and children

We’ve helped dozens of foreign professionals successfully obtain F-2-7 visas and transition to F-5 permanent residency. Let us help you navigate the process efficiently.

📩 Contact us at sma@saemunan.com to schedule a consultation.


About SMA Lawfirm: We specialize in cross-border business law and immigration, helping foreign investors and professionals navigate Korean visa regulations, corporate formation, and long-term residency planning. Our Seoul-based team provides English-language legal services for work visas, residence visas, and permanent residency applications.


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