Immigration
F-2 Visa (Resident Visa) Complete Guide – Requirements, Points System, and Change of Status
What is the F-2 Visa?
The F-2 visa (Resident Visa) allows foreign nationals to reside in Korea on a long-term basis. It is granted to individuals who meet certain requirements and provides stability in residence and a wide range of permitted activities.
In particular, the F-2 visa is highly advantageous as it allows employment, business activities, and long-term residency, making it a key pathway toward obtaining permanent residency (F-5 status).
Overview of F-2 Visa Categories
1. Family and Status-Based Categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F-2-1 | Spouse of a Korean national |
| F-2-2 | Child of a Korean national |
| F-2-3 | Spouse or minor child of a permanent resident (F-5) |
| F-2-4 | Recognized refugee |
| F-2-6 | Humanitarian status holder |
2. Points-Based / Talent Category
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F-2-7 | Points-based visa for skilled professionals (most common) |
| F-2-71 | Family members of F-2-7 holders |
3. Long-Term Resident
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F-2-99 | Long-term resident (e.g. 5+ years stay in Korea) |
4. Investment / Public Interest / Special Contribution
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F-2-5 | Investor (high-value investment) |
| F-2-8 | Real estate investment in designated tourism areas |
| F-2-81 | Family members of investors |
| F-2-12 | Public interest investment |
| F-2-11 | Government officials |
| F-2-16 | Individuals with special contributions to Korea |
Key F-2 Visa Types Comparison
| Category | F-2-7 (Points-Based) | F-2-99 (Long-Term) | F-2-R (Regional Talent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Skilled professionals | Long-term residents | Regional settlement |
| Target | E-7, D-10 holders | Long-term foreign residents | Workers in designated regions |
| Main Requirement | 80+ points | Required residency period | Employment in local areas |
| Income Requirement | Important (higher is better) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Korean Proficiency | Important | Moderate | Some required |
| Stability | High | Very high | Conditional |
| Employment Freedom | Mostly unrestricted | Unrestricted | Some restrictions |
| Difficulty | High | Medium | Medium |
| Trend | Rapidly increasing | Stable | Recently increasing |
F-2-7 Points-Based Visa
Designed for highly skilled professionals, the F-2-7 visa evaluates applicants based on a points system including education, income, and Korean language ability.
Eligible applicants include:
- Professionals in specialized fields
- Foreign workers with a certain level of income
Employment for accompanying family members is permitted only if the holder of the points-based talented individual visa meets the annual income requirement. In such cases, the family members may obtain the F-2-71 (dependent resident) status.
If the visa holder does not meet the annual income requirement, the accompanying family members may stay in Korea under the F-1 (visiting and residing with family) status; however, employment and any profit-making activities are strictly prohibited.
F-2-99 Long-Term Residency
This category is for foreign nationals who have resided in Korea for an extended period.
Key requirements:
- Sufficient period of lawful stay
- No criminal record
F-2-R Regional Talent Visa
This visa aims to address population decline in regional areas.
Key requirements:
- Employment in designated regional areas
- Willingness to reside outside major cities
Other Categories (F-2-3, F-2-4, etc.)
These are based on family relationships or humanitarian considerations.
F-2-7 Points System Requirements
The F-2-7 visa is the most frequently requested and widely applied category.
Basic Requirements
- Minimum income level
- Education qualifications
- Age
- Korean language proficiency (TOPIK, KIIP)
Example of Points Structure
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Income | Higher income yields more points |
| Education | Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD |
| Korean Language | TOPIK or KIIP |
| Age | Preferably 20s–30s |
Generally, a minimum of 80 points is required.
Advantages of the F-2 Visa
- Minimal restrictions on employment
- Business activities allowed
- High level of residence stability
- Eligibility to apply for permanent residency (F-5)
Change of Status to F-2 Visa
Applicants may change to an F-2 visa from:
- E-7 (Specialty Occupation Visa)
- D-10 (Job-seeking Visa)
- Other long-term stay visas
Application Process
- Verify eligibility
- Calculate points (for F-2-7)
- Prepare documents
- Apply at immigration
Required Documents
- Passport
- Alien Registration Card
- Proof of income
- Academic certificates
- Korean language certificate
- Additional documents supporting points (if applicable)
Notice
The above information provides a general overview.
For accurate assessment and eligibility, professional consultation is recommended.