2026 guide

F-2-7 Visa Points Calculator & Guide

F-2-7 is Korea's points-based residence status (거주, 점수제). This page sets out how the points are counted, who can apply and what reduces a score, as described in the Ministry of Justice stay-permit manual (18 Sep 2026 edition). You can then check your own score with the calculator below.

Calculate my score

Minimum score: 80 points
Maximum score: 170 points, including up to 40 bonus
Also required: Belonging to an eligible applicant group

How the points are counted

The base score comes from four categories, worth up to 130 points together. Bonus points (up to 40) are added on top, and deductions are subtracted.

Age (up to 25)

Your situation	Points
18 - 24 years old	23
25 - 29 years old	25
30 - 34 years old	23
35 - 39 years old	20
40 - 44 years old	12
45 - 50 years old	8
51+ years old	3

Education (up to 25)

Your situation	Points
PhD (STEM field, or 2+ PhDs)	25
PhD (Other field)	20
Master's (STEM field, or 2+ master's)	20
Master's (Other field)	17
Bachelor's (STEM field, or 2+ bachelor's)	17
Bachelor's (Other field)	15
Associate degree (STEM field)	15
Associate degree (Other field)	10
High School / No Degree	0

Korean proficiency (up to 20)

Your situation	Points
TOPIK Level 5-6 / KIIP Level 5+	20
TOPIK Level 4 / KIIP Level 4	15
TOPIK Level 3 / KIIP Level 3	10
TOPIK Level 2 / KIIP Level 2	5
TOPIK Level 1 / KIIP Level 1	3
No Korean proficiency	0

Annual income (up to 60)

Your situation	Points
KRW 100M+	60
KRW 90M - 100M	58
KRW 80M - 90M	56
KRW 70M - 80M	53
KRW 60M - 70M	50
KRW 50M - 60M	45
KRW 40M - 50M	40
KRW 30M - 40M	30
Minimum wage to KRW 30M	10
Below minimum wage	0

Bonus points (up to 40 in total)

Each of these adds to your score, but bonus points are capped at 40 in total.

Degree bonus

PhD from a top-ranked university (+30)
Master's from a top-ranked university (+20)
Bachelor's from a top-ranked university (+15)
PhD from a Korean university (+10)
Master's from a Korean university (+7)
Bachelor's from a Korean university (+5)

Top-ranked means within the QS top 500 or Times Higher Education top 200 in any of the last 5 years.

Other bonuses

Korean War participating-country talent, recommended as such by a central government agency (+20)
Recommendation letter from a central government agency (+20)
Completed the KIIP (사회통합프로그램) stage 5 basic course (+10)

Volunteering

3+ years, with 18+ sessions and 150+ hours (+7)
2 to under 3 years, with 12+ sessions and 100+ hours (+5)
1 to under 2 years, with 6+ sessions and 50+ hours (+1)

Who can apply: the applicant groups

80 points alone is not enough. You must also belong to one of these groups:

Manager or professional at a KOSPI- or KOSDAQ-listed company
Promising industry (IT, nano, bio, new materials, energy, etc.) with last year's income at least 1.5× GNI per capita
E-1 to E-7-1 or D-5 to D-9 for 3+ consecutive years (or annual income of ₩40M+)
Korean master's or PhD in the last 5 years, working (or hired) in a professional field
Master's or PhD from a designated Korean STEM university or research institute, with the president's recommendation (F-2-7S)

On F-6 (spouse of a Korean citizen)? You don’t need F-2-7. F-6 has no work restrictions, and after 2 years you can usually apply for permanent residence (F-5). Confirm with 1345.

What reduces your score

Immigration Act fines and criminal fines or sentences lead to deductions. A criminal fine of ₩3M or more (or a heavier sentence) finalized in the last 3 years means the change of status is refused, whatever the score.

Immigration Act fines paid in the last 3 years

₩3M or more, or a departure order or deportation in the last 5 years (−30)
₩1M to under ₩3M (−20)
₩500K to under ₩1M (−10)

Criminal fines or sentences

Fine of ₩3M+ or a heavier sentence, finalized in the last 3 years (not eligible)
Fine of ₩3M+ or a heavier sentence, finalized more than 3 years ago (−40)
Fine of ₩2M to under ₩3M (−30)
Fine under ₩2M (−20)

Interactive Tool

Calculate Your F-2-7 Long-Term Residency Score

Enter your age, education, Korean ability and income, plus any bonus points or deductions, to compare your score with the 80-point pass mark.

Your Profile Attributes

Age

Highest Education Level

Korean Proficiency (TOPIK / KIIP)

Annual Income

Which applicant group are you in?

On F-6 (spouse of a Korean citizen)? You don’t need F-2-7. F-6 has no work restrictions, and after 2 years you can usually apply for permanent residence (F-5). Confirm with 1345.

Bonus points (up to +40)

Korean War participating-country talent, recommended as such by a central government agency (+20)Recommendation letter from a central government agency (+20)Completed the KIIP (사회통합프로그램) stage 5 basic course (+10)

Degree bonus (only the highest one counts)

Top-ranked means within the QS top 500 or Times Higher Education top 200 in any of the last 5 years.

Volunteering

Deductions

Your answers here stay in your browser. They are never sent to us or to any partner.

Immigration Act fines paid in the last 3 years

Criminal fines or sentences

Your Calculated Score

Updates live as you adjust your profile

92/ 170 points

Passing threshold: 80 points

You likely meet the F-2-7 points threshold.

Age: 25 / 25
Education: 17 / 25
Korean Proficiency: 10 / 20
Income: 40 / 60
Bonus: 0 / 40

Based on the Ministry of Justice stay-permit manual (18 Sep 2026). Good-conduct and health requirements also apply. Confirm with immigration (1345) before applying.

Want a Detailed Roadmap to Approval?

Share your results and a licensed administrative agent (행정사) can review your score and suggest next steps.

Full Name

Current Visa Status

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Items collected: Name, email address, phone number (optional), region, current visa status, and the details you enter in this form (such as eligibility scores, income range, and education). Collected automatically: IP address, browser user agent, and submission time.
Purpose: To receive your inquiry, match it with a partner professional, send you a confirmation email, keep a record of your consent, and prevent abuse.
Retention period: Inquiries never unlocked by a partner: 1 year after submission / Inquiries unlocked by a partner: 3 years after unlock / Consent records: 5 years after the record is created
Right to refuse: You may refuse this consent. If you refuse, your inquiry cannot be submitted.

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Recipient: A licensed Administrative Agent (행정사) registered as a VisaSync Korea partner who chooses to unlock your inquiry.
Recipient's purpose: To contact you about your inquiry and provide a consultation or a quote for their services.
Items provided: Name, email address, phone number, region, visa status, and the details you entered in this form. Your IP address and browser information are not provided.
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Purpose: Occasional emails about VisaSync Korea services, guides, and updates.
Retention period: Until you withdraw consent.
Right to refuse: This is optional and does not affect your inquiry. You can withdraw at any time by emailing privacy@visasynckorea.com.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum score for F-2-7?

80 points. The maximum is 170: up to 130 from age, education, Korean proficiency and income, plus up to 40 bonus points.

Is 80 points enough to get F-2-7?

No. You must also belong to one of the applicant groups in the manual (listed above), and good-conduct and health requirements also apply.

Which age gets the most points?

Ages 25 to 29 get the maximum 25 points. Ages 18 to 24 and 30 to 34 get 23, then 35 to 39 get 20, 40 to 44 get 12, 45 to 50 get 8, and 51 or older get 3.

Does a Korean degree give extra points?

Yes, as a bonus: +10 for a PhD, +7 for a master's and +5 for a bachelor's from a Korean university. A degree from a top-ranked university (QS top 500 or THE top 200 in any of the last 5 years) gives +30, +20 or +15. Our calculator counts only your single highest degree bonus.

How does KIIP (사회통합프로그램) help?

KIIP levels count toward Korean proficiency the same way as TOPIK levels (for example, level 4 gives 15 points), and completing the KIIP stage 5 basic course adds a +10 bonus.

How much does income count?

Income is the largest category: from 10 points (minimum wage to ₩30M a year) up to 60 points (₩100M or more). Income below the minimum wage scores 0.

I'm on an F-6 visa. Do I need F-2-7?

Usually not. F-6 (spouse of a Korean citizen) has no work restrictions, and after 2 years you can usually apply for permanent residence (F-5). Confirm with immigration (1345).

Does this calculator decide my application?

No. It is an estimate based on the published manual. The immigration office decides each application, and the rules change often, so confirm with the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or a registered immigration agent (행정사) before applying.

Source: Ministry of Justice, 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (18 Sep 2026 edition), F-2-7 체류자격 변경허가, pp. 372–378. Last checked against the manual in October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Manuals and notices on HiKorea