Free tool
F-5 readiness checker
Check if you qualify for Korean permanent residency. Covers the 4 most common F-5 pathways and tells you exactly what's missing.
Which F-5 pathways this tool covers
Korean permanent residency (F-5) has 27 sub-categories. Most foreign residents apply through one of four pathways. This tool checks all four against your situation:
- F-5-1 (general): 5 years cumulative residence on qualifying visas (D-7 through D-10, E-1 through E-7, F-2). Income at 2x GNI per capita. KIIP Level 5 or 영주용 종합평가.
- F-5-6 (from F-4): 2 years on F-4 (overseas Korean) status. Income at 1x GNI, reduced to 60-80% under the February 2026 reform if you have KIIP and/or volunteer hours.
- F-5-2 (from F-6 Korean spouse): 2 years on F-6. Household income at 1x GNI. KIIP Level 5.
- F-5-16 (from F-2-7 points-based): 3 years on F-2-7 with strict departure rules (90-day single trip max, 180-day annual total). Income at 2x GNI. KIIP Level 5.
Pathways NOT covered here
The tool intentionally skips niche or ambiguous tracks: F-5-5 (large investor, USD 500K+), F-5-9 (overseas PhD in advanced fields), F-5-10 (advanced-fields bachelor/master with Korean employment), F-5-11 (outstanding ability points-based), F-5-14 (H-2 manufacturing 4 years), F-5-15 (domestic PhD), and F-5-7 (whose definition conflicts across English-language sources). If your situation matches one of those, work with a licensed immigration attorney rather than this checker.
The TOPIK rule changed in 2019
Before April 1, 2019, TOPIK Level 4 or higher counted as a language qualification for F-5. After that date, TOPIK no longer counts. The accepted proofs are KIIP Level 5 (full Social Integration Program completion) or a passing score (60+) on the 영주용 종합평가 (comprehensive evaluation for permanent residency).
If you started TOPIK before 2019 and stopped, those certificates do not help your F-5 application. You will need to either complete KIIP Level 5 or sit the comprehensive evaluation. Note: passing the evaluation grants 기본소양요건 충족 (basic competency met), not full KIIP completion credit.
Income thresholds tied to GNI
F-5 income requirements are stated as multiples of Korea's per-capita Gross National Income (GNI). The Bank of Korea publishes the prior year's GNI each March. The 2024 figure was ₩49,955,000, which governs applications submitted April 2025 through March 2026. The 2025 figure will be announced around March 2026 and govern applications from April 2026 onward.
This means a 2x GNI income threshold (F-5-1 and F-5-16) is currently roughly ₩99.9 million, and a 1x GNI threshold (F-5-2 and F-5-6) is roughly ₩49.9 million. The tool uses the current published GNI to compute your specific gap.
F-5-16 income flag (1x or 2x GNI?)
Sources conflict on the F-5-16 income threshold. The most detailed primary-adjacent source (Immikorea's F-5-16 dedicated page) states 2x GNI. Some summary sources state 1x GNI. The tool uses 2x to be conservative. Before applying, verify the current threshold at HiKorea or with a licensed immigration attorney — this is a published gap in English-language sources.
February 2026 reform for F-4 holders
Effective February 12, 2026, F-4 holders applying for F-5-6 can qualify with reduced income thresholds: 70% of GNI with KIIP Level 5, 80% with 100+ volunteer hours via the 1365 portal, or 60% with both. The tool applies this reform automatically when you select F-4 as your current visa and check the relevant boxes. The reform is not confirmed to apply to F-5-1 or F-5-16 — it is F-5-6 specific.