South Korea F2 Visa: Discover the Benefits of F2 Visa

The F2 visa in South Korea is a highly sought-after visa thanks to its long-term residence, flexible work rights, and especially the opportunity to transition to permanent residency.

However, obtaining this “golden ticket” requires foreigners to fully understand the eligibility requirements, application process, and specific benefits of the F2 visa. This article, compiled by iVISA, will provide a detailed guide to the South Korea F2 visa.

Understanding the South Korea F2 Visa

The F2 visa is a long-term residence visa, allowing foreigners to live and work legally in South Korea without occupational restrictions. Unlike work or student visas, the F2 is intermediate-term residency and serves as an important stepping stone towards F5 permanent residency.

Eligible applicants include:

• F2-1: Married to a Korean citizen
• F2-7: High educational and income qualifications
• Individuals on qualifying student or work visas seeking conversion
• Investors or economic contributors

According to the Korea Immigration Service, by the end of 2024, over 94,000 foreigners hold F2 visas, with F2-7 making up nearly 60%. The visa allows holders to reside 3–5 years, increasing opportunities to apply for permanent F5 visas.

Latest Eligibility Requirements for F2 Visa

Explore South Korea Before Applying for F2

Many start with a tourist visa to familiarize themselves with the country. The South Korea tourist visa allows a stay of 30–90 days, sufficient for exploring, learning, and evaluating work or long-term residency opportunities. This initial period helps prepare a transparent and persuasive F2 application.

Detailed F2 Visa Eligibility

Applicants must score at least 80/120 points in the Korean Immigration points system, which selects individuals with good integration potential and stable economic capability.

Criteria	Max Points	Notes
Age	20	Ages 30–39 get highest priority
Education	25	Master’s/PhD in Korea scores higher
Income	30	≥ 40 million KRW/year earns full points
Korean Language (TOPIK)	20	TOPIK level 5–6 earns full points
Residency/Work Experience	15	≥3 years in Korea gains additional points
Social Contributions/Volunteering	10	≥1 year contributes points

Benefits of Holding a South Korea F2 Visa

Many wonder: what benefits come with an F2 visa? iVISA lists the main advantages:

• Long-term residency: Stay 3–5 years without short-term renewals like student or work visas.
• Job flexibility: Change jobs or industries freely without reapplying for a visa.
• Dependent sponsorship: F2 holders can sponsor spouses and children under 18, who receive dependent visas.
• Access to social benefits: Enjoy healthcare, education, and insurance benefits like Korean citizens.
• Pathway to permanent residency: F2 serves as a perfect step toward F5 permanent residency.

Application Documents and Procedure for F2 Visa

Applying for an F2 visa requires complete, accurate documentation. According to 2024 statistics, 20,000–25,000 F2-7 applications are reviewed annually, with 10–15% rejected due to missing documents or insufficient points. Careful preparation is essential.

Required Documents

Document	Description
Original Passport & Copy	Valid for at least 6 months
Alien Registration Card (ARC)	Proof of legal residence in Korea
3.5×4.5 cm Photo	Taken within 6 months, clear face
Income & Tax Certificates	Minimum income ≥ 40 million KRW/year
Degrees & TOPIK Certificates	Show educational and language proficiency
Residence Proof / Lease Agreement	Legal accommodation in Korea
F2 Visa Application Form	Official form from Ministry of Justice
Application Fee	130,000 KRW (2025)

Application Procedure

More than 94,000 foreigners currently hold the South Korean F2 visa. However, according to 2024 statistics, about 90% of eligible F2-7 visa applications are approved, while 10% are rejected, mainly due to unclear documentation or insufficient points. This highlights the importance of careful preparation. The F2 visa application process generally includes steps:

Step 1: Check eligibility and calculate points	The F2-7 point system is based on factors such as age, educational background, income, TOPIK score, residence/work experience, and social contribution. The minimum required score to qualify is 80 out of 120 points.
Step 2: Prepare documents and make an online appointment	Translate and notarize documents if necessary, and ensure all documents are valid.
Step 3: Submit your application directly at the Immigration Office	Bring original copies for verification.
Step 4: Attend an interview (if required)	The interview usually focuses on your income, occupation, Korean language proficiency, and long-term settlement plan.
Step 5: Receive the result	Results will be sent via SMS or can be collected directly at the immigration office.

Key Tips for Preparing F2 Application

When learning about what the F2 visa in South Korea is, careful document preparation is a key factor in improving your approval rate and minimizing the risk of rejection from the very first stage. During the preparation process, applicants should pay special attention to several important details.

Nearly 60% of all applicants for this visa category belong to the F2-7 group, which includes individuals with high income and strong educational backgrounds. Therefore, it’s important to remember that Korean language proficiency (TOPIK) and income level are the two most crucial factors.

In addition, the information in your application must be consistent and transparent. All documents such as your residence address, rental contract, income certificate, academic degree, and TOPIK certificate must match. Even small discrepancies in address or income figures can lower your application’s credibility or lead to rejection. Ensuring consistency across all documents helps immigration officers trust that you are capable of living, working, and integrating long-term in South Korea.

According to iVISA’s travel experience in South Korea, if you are uncertain about your TOPIK score, income, or any related documents, you can use iVISA’s free document review and F2 score simulation service, which can help increase your approval rate by up to 90% and save valuable preparation time.

Comparison of F2 Visa with Other Visa Types

The F2 visa in South Korea is a key option for those who are living and working long-term in the country and wish to move towards permanent residency. Compared with other common Korea visas, this visa offers several advantages:

• F2 Visa: This is the most flexible option, with a duration of 3–5 years. Holders can freely change jobs and industries, and it can be converted to an F5 visa after 3 years of legal residence. This visa is suitable for those who want to live long-term, maintain stability, and develop their careers in South Korea.
• F5 Visa: This visa is for permanent residents, with an unlimited duration. Holders can work freely and enjoy all rights and benefits like South Korean citizens. F5 is the final step in the long-term residency path and is usually obtained after holding a valid F2 visa.
• D2 Visa: Duration is 1–2 years, only for international students. D2 holders cannot work freely and do not have opportunities for long-term residency.
• E7 Visa: Duration is 1–3 years, intended for skilled workers. E7 holders can work but are limited in the type of jobs they can take and cannot obtain long-term residency.

FAQs About South Korea F2 Visa

Below are some of the most common questions that people often ask when learning about the F2 visa in South Korea:

Does the F2 visa need to be renewed?

Yes, it does. The F2 visa is valid for 3 to 5 years per renewal. Extending this visa helps you stay in Korea with peace of mind without worrying about annual renewals like the D2 or E7 visas.

Can I switch from a D2 student visa to an F2 visa?

Absolutely. The requirements for conversion include achieving the required TOPIK score, maintaining a stable income, and having at least two years of residence in South Korea. This is a common pathway for international students in Korea who wish to settle in the country long-term.

Can I reapply if my F2 visa application is rejected?

Yes, you can reapply after six months, while supplementing missing documents or improving your TOPIK score and income level to increase your chances of approval in the next application.

Through this article, you should now have a clearer understanding of what the F2 visa in South Korea is. The F2 visa offers numerous benefits and is one of the most sought-after options among foreigners. Before applying for the F2, you may start with a Korean tourist visa to explore and better understand the country.

Contact iVISA for comprehensive Korean tourist visa support, helping you gradually and smoothly obtain your long-term F2 visa in the future!

iVISA Property & Citizenship

• Add: Số 99 Nguyễn Thị Nhung, phường Hiệp Bình, TPHCM
• Hotline: 0937 999 610
• Email: info.ivisatravel@gmail.com