F-5

Permanent residence

A visa to stay in Korea with no limit on your period of stay. Which type fits you (points-based, general or degree holder) depends on your current status and years of stay.

TypeOne of threePoints-based · general · degree holders

Years of stay3 or 5 years3 years on points-based residence · 5 years on work or residence visas

Common requirementsBasic knowledge · incomeKIIP stage 5 · 2× GNI, etc.

Next-stage visaNaturalizationAfter permanent residence

Quick requirement check

A quick check for this visa only. What you enter is not saved.

Current status

Requirements for this visa

Fill in the fields and the result changes right away.

Degree-holder permanent residence (F-5-10) looks at education and years of work together, so check it in the full check.

Check all five visas

Who can apply

You must fit one of the three and also meet the common requirements.

Points-based PR (F-5-16)People who have stayed 3+ years on points-based residence (F-2-7)

General PR (F-5-1)People who have stayed 5+ years on work or residence visas (D-7 to E-7 · F-2) (E-7 needs a bachelor's or higher)

Degree-holder PR (F-5-10)One of: bachelor's in high tech · Korean science/engineering bachelor's · Korean master's or higher · professional engineer, + 3 years of related work + 1 year as a regular employee

Needed by everyoneCompleting KIIP stage 5 (or 60+ on the comprehensive test; a regular Korean PhD is exempt) and income of 2× GNI or more or net assets of 1.5× or more (degree holders: GNI or more)

Requirements by type

All three types require completing KIIP stage 5 (or 60+ on the comprehensive test). Based on the HiKorea guide manual 2026-10-19.

Type	Years of stay · work	Income · assets
Points-based PR (F-5-16)	3 years on points-based residence	2× GNI or more, or net assets of 1.5× or more
General PR (F-5-1)	5 years on work or residence visas	2× GNI or more, or net assets of 1.5× or more
Degree-holder PR (F-5-10)	3 years of work in your field + 1 year as a regular employee	GNI or more

The GNI (gross national income per capita) and net asset amounts change every year.

Documents to prepare

The document lists follow the HiKorea guide manual 2026-10-19; an office may ask for more.

Integrated application form

Passport · residence card · photo · fee

KIIP stage 5 certificate or comprehensive test pass certificate

Proof of income · assets

Certificate of employment · business registration copy

Degree · graduation certificate

Proof of address

Compare the five visas

Visa	Who	Standard	Next stage
Job seeker D-10-1	Graduates of Korean or overseas universities	60 out of 190 (basic 20)	Professional E-7-1
Professional E-7-1	Hired for a job on the occupation table	Occupation · education · salary · employer	Points-based residence F-2-7
Skilled worker E-7-4	4+ years on E-9 · E-10 · H-2	200 out of 300 + four required items	Points-based residence F-2-7
Points-based residence F-2-7	Four eligibility routes	80 out of 170	Permanent residence F-5-16
Permanent residence F-5	Degree holders · points-based · general	Differs by type	Naturalization

Basis and official guides · You can get the final decision from an immigration office; this service is here to help you check in advance. The basis is the HiKorea stay guide manual 2026-10-19 and Ministry of Justice notice 2025-408 (in force from 2025-10-24), read on 2026-10-25.
Official guides: Job seeker D-10-1 Professional E-7-1 Skilled worker E-7-4 Points-based residence F-2-7 Permanent residence F-5