Residence & citizenship
South Korean F-5 Permanent Residence
Permanent residence status granting indefinite stay and broad work rights without a sponsor.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Qualifying periods, income thresholds and integration requirements for each F-5 route are unverified here and must be confirmed with the Korea Immigration Service.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official South Korea government website before you apply.
On this page
- Official name
- Permanent Residence (F-5)
- Route type
- Permanent residence / settlement
- Work
- Unrestricted work without a sponsor
- Nationality
- Original nationality retained
Who it is for
- Long-term residents who have held eligible visas for the required period
- Spouses of Korean nationals meeting the qualifying period and income rules
- High-value investors and points/talent-based applicants
Requirements
- Meeting the qualifying residence period for your route
- Income and financial-stability conditions
- Integration / basic-Korean or Social Integration Programme requirements in many cases
- Good-conduct and clean immigration record
How to apply
- Apply from within Korea at a local immigration office / via HiKorea
- Provide evidence of residence period, income and integration where required
- Attend any interview and pay the applicable fee
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.