What are the requirements for the F-5 permanent residency visa, and how long does processing take?
I am from Uzbekistan and have been working in Korea on an F-2 visa for five years. I am preparing to apply for F-5 permanent residency — what are the precise eligibility criteria and points required?
After submitting, how long does the review usually take, can I leave Korea during the review, and what is the renewal cycle for F-5?
1 Answer
F-5 permanent residency has several application types, and holding an F-2 residence visa for five or more years is one common path. The basic requirements are long-term legal stay, the ability to support yourself (income or assets), basic civic competency (completing the KIIP social integration program or demonstrating Korean language and society knowledge), and a clean criminal record. Income often needs to meet or exceed the prior year's per-capita GNI, and some types apply a points system. Review time varies by type and office workload but usually takes several months, sometimes more than six. You can leave Korea during the review, but a long absence can affect it, so it is best to notify the office in advance. F-5 has no stay-period limit so there is no renewal as such, but the residence card must be reissued every 10 years, and permanent residency can be lost if you stay abroad beyond a certain period, so manage your re-entry permits carefully. I would recommend confirming your exact type and points through HiKorea or 1345.