Korea Residence Visa Route Finder
The F-2 visa is not one visa with one checklist. It is a family of residence statuses covering different bases such as family relationships, points or talent, regional programs, long-term residence, investment and other special circumstances.
The right question is therefore not only “Do I qualify for F-2?” but “Which F-2 route matches the legal basis I actually have?” This guide helps you identify that route before you rely on a points table or prepare documents.
This article was reviewed against the Ministry of Justice/Hi Korea residence manual updated on August 7, 2026, beginning with the F-2 status overview on pages 360–365 and the relevant route sections. F-2 rules were revised at different times in 2026, so current route-specific official instructions control over a blog summary.
Quick answer: start with your legal basis
Family basis
Your spouse, parent or child relationship may place you in a family-related F-2 route, but the qualifying relationship and sponsor’s status matter.
Points or talent
Some professionals and talent categories use F-2-7 or another specified route. A high score in an unofficial calculator is not approval.
Regional basis
F-2-R depends on a designated regional program, recommendation and local conditions. It is not a nationwide substitute for F-2-7.
Residence or special basis
Long-term stay, investment, refugee recognition, public interest and other defined circumstances can lead to different F-2 subcategories.
1. What does F-2 status mean in Korea?
F-2 is a residence-status family intended for people who meet one of the residence bases defined by immigration law and policy. It generally offers a different residence framework from a status tied to one specific study course or sponsored job, but the rights, restrictions and renewal evidence still depend on the exact F-2 subcategory.
F-5 is Korea’s permanent-residence status. Holding F-2 may be relevant to a later F-5 route, but there is no automatic E-7 → F-2 → F-5 conversion. Each change requires its own legal basis and current requirements.
2. Main F-2 visa routes
| Route family | Who should investigate it | Why a separate check is necessary |
|---|---|---|
| Family-related residence | Applicants relying on a qualifying relationship to a Korean national, permanent resident or another person covered by a specific family rule. | The required relationship, age, dependency, sponsor status and evidence differ across subcategories. |
| F-2-7 points or talent route | Eligible professionals, graduates or talent groups who fall within a category allowed to use the points-based residence route. | Entry category, points, income and other criteria can change. Not every work-visa or student-visa holder can use the same calculation. |
| F-2-R regional-specialized route | People selected under an active designated-region program who can meet its recommendation, residence and employment conditions. | Eligible regions, recruitment windows and local conditions are program-specific and time-sensitive. |
| Long-term resident route | People whose current and past stay may fit a defined long-term-residence category, often referred to as F-2-99 in guidance. | Continuous stay alone is not enough. Current status, permitted activities and other route requirements matter. |
| Investment or asset-based residence | Applicants participating in an officially designated investment program or another qualifying investment basis. | Program designation, invested asset, maintenance and family rules must be checked against the current official program. |
| Other special bases | Recognized refugees, appointed public officials, people with special contribution or public-interest grounds, and other categories expressly listed in official guidance. | These are narrow legal categories, not discretionary alternatives when the main routes do not fit. |
3. How to choose the right F-2 route
- Write down your current status and full stay history.
Your present visa, previous statuses, dates and any breaks in stay can affect which route is available. - Identify the legal basis you are relying on.
Is it a family relationship, points/talent category, regional recommendation, long-term stay, investment or another special ground? - Check whether your current status can use that route.
Do not assume that a requirement list applies to everyone. The eligible starting status is often part of the rule. - Check the current variable criteria at the source.
Use the latest official notice for points, income, region, recommendation, investment, Korean-language and stay requirements. - Confirm your individual route before filing.
If the answer affects employment, family status or a deadline, confirm it through Hi Korea, 1345 or the immigration office with jurisdiction.
Income thresholds, point tables, eligible regions, investment amounts and stay conditions do not all change together. Repeating them here would create conflicting pages. Use our current GNI reference only when the official route expressly uses GNI, and confirm all route-specific values in the current official manual or notice.
4. What evidence usually matters?
There is no universal F-2 document list. The reviewing authority first needs evidence for the specific legal basis. Depending on the route, relevant groups can include:
- passport, Residence Card and application materials;
- current and previous immigration status or stay history;
- family-relation, custody or dependency evidence;
- employment, occupation, education, income or tax evidence;
- Korean-language or social-integration evidence where the route uses it;
- regional recommendation and residence or employment evidence;
- investment, asset or program-maintenance evidence; and
- proof of address and other case-specific documents.
If Korean-language or social-integration evidence is relevant, see how to register for KIIP. KIIP participation by itself does not create F-2 eligibility.
5. Does an F-2 visa allow any job?
Do not reduce all F-2 subcategories to “open work permission.” The permitted scope, restrictions, reporting duties and effect of changing circumstances depend on the exact subcategory. A family relationship ending, leaving a designated region, changing employment or no longer maintaining an investment can affect the basis of stay.
Renewal is not automatic. Keep evidence that you continue to satisfy the basis of your F-2 route and check reporting duties before a material change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between F-2 and F-5?
F-2 is a family of residence statuses with route-specific conditions and renewal requirements. F-5 is permanent residence. An F-2 holder must separately qualify and apply for an applicable F-5 route.
What is the difference between F-2-7 and F-2-R?
F-2-7 is a points or talent-related residence route for specified eligible groups. F-2-R is tied to an active regional-specialized program and its recommendation and local conditions. They are not interchangeable.
Can any E-7 holder change to F-2?
No automatic change applies to every E-7 holder. The applicant must fit a specific F-2 route, including its eligible starting status and current criteria.
Can I apply for F-2 from outside Korea?
That depends on the subcategory. Some F-2 routes are primarily changes of status for people already residing in Korea, while others have different visa or issuance procedures. Check the official route rather than using a general F-2 checklist.
How many points or how much income do I need?
The answer depends on the exact F-2 route and application date. This hub does not duplicate changing tables. Use the current official manual and notice for your subcategory, and verify which year’s income evidence applies.