F-2-7 Points-Based Residence Visa in Korea β 2026 Guide
Who can apply for Korea's F-2-7 points-based residence visa, the 80-point scoring table, eligibility routes, income and Korean language points, stay length, family visas and documents.
The F-2-7 is the most popular long-term visa for skilled foreigners in Korea. Unlike E-7 or E-2, it is not tied to one employer: you can change jobs, start a side business within the rules, and count the time toward permanent residence. Here is how it works in 2026.
What you need
- An eligibility route (see below).
- At least 80 points on the points table.
- No disqualifying record, such as a prison sentence (including suspended) within 5 years or a criminal fine of β©3M or more within 3 years.
Eligibility routes
| Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Professional | Currently on E-1 to E-7-1 or D-5 to D-9, with 3 consecutive years of lawful stay. The 3 years are waived if your annual income is β©40M or more. E-6-2 and E-7-2/3/4 are excluded. |
| Listed-company employee | Working for, or hired by, a KOSPI or KOSDAQ company in a professional or managerial role |
| Promising industry | Working in a designated technology field with income of at least 1.5Γ per-capita GNI |
| Korean graduate | Korean master's degree or higher, and a qualifying job within 5 years of graduating |
| Potential talent (F-2-7S) | STEM master's or doctorate recommended by a participating university; no points needed |
Most E-2 teachers and E-7 professionals apply through the professional route once they have 3 years in Korea, or sooner if they earn β©40M or more.
The points table
Common items are worth up to 130, bonus points up to 40.
- Age (max 25): 25 points at 25β29, 23 at 18β24 and 30β34, 20 at 35β39, 12 at 40β44, 8 at 45β50, 3 at 51+.
- Education (max 25): doctorate 25/20, master's 20/17, bachelor's 17/15, associate 15/10 (first number for STEM or two degrees at the same level).
- Korean ability (max 20): TOPIK level or KIIP stage 5+: 20, 4: 15, 3: 10, 2: 5, 1: 3.
- Income (max 60): β©100M+: 60, β©60β70M: 50, β©50β60M: 45, β©40β50M: 40, β©30β40M: 30, minimum wage to β©30M: 10.
Bonus points include a Korean degree (+5 to +10), a degree from a top-ranked university (+15 to +30), KIIP stage 5 completion (+10), central government recommendation (+20) and verified volunteer work in Korea (+1 to +7). Penalties of β10 to β40 apply for recent Immigration Act or criminal fines.
Example
A 31-year-old with a STEM master's degree, TOPIK 4 and β©45M income scores 23 + 20 + 15 + 40 = 98 points, comfortably above 80. Without Korean (0 points) the same person would still have 83. Language ability is often what tips borderline applicants over the line, so TOPIK 3β4 is worth the effort.
Check your own score with the F-2-7 points calculator.
How long you get
Your first period of stay depends on your score or income, whichever is better: 5 years with 130+ points or β©60M+ income, 3 years with 120+ or β©50M+, 2 years with 110+ or β©40M+, and 1 year otherwise.
Family
Your spouse and minor children can join you. If your income is at least the per-capita GNI (β©52.4 million for 2026 applications, based on the Bank of Korea's preliminary 2025 figure), they receive F-2-71, which allows them to work. Otherwise they receive F-1-12.
Documents usually needed
- Application form, passport, residence card and photo
- Income certificate (μλκΈμ‘μ¦λͺ ) from the tax office for the previous year, and proof of current employment
- Degree certificates (apostilled or consular-confirmed if foreign)
- TOPIK certificate or KIIP completion certificate
- Documents for any bonus points
- Criminal record check if requested
Book an appointment through Hi Korea and apply at your local immigration office. Requirements are updated from time to time; this guide follows the Ministry of Justice table (notice 2025-408) as reported by several immigration specialists. Confirm with Hi Korea (1345) or an immigration lawyer before you apply.
This guide reflects Korean laws and official notices as of 2026-10-08. Rules change, so confirm with the relevant agency before making important decisions.