If You Graduated with a Master's or Higher in Korea and Got a Job? Check the F-2-7 Points-Based Residency Status
Hello, this is Vijob. 👋
To international students who have proudly been accepted by their desired companies and are about to start work, and to all smart future job seekers who are not yet graduated or employed but "want to map out my visa roadmap in advance and prepare perfectly!", welcome! 👏
If you dream of stable settlement and a career in Korea, the sooner you study your visa options, the better.
"Is visa change, E-7, the only answer?
What exactly is this F-2-7 that seniors these days insist you must get?" For those of you wondering, we have prepared this.
Together with the reliable Vijob for foreign employment, shall we clearly go over the core criteria of the F-2-7 (points-based residence visa), known as the cheat key for long-term settlement in Korea? 🚀
💡 Why does everyone prefer the F-2-7 visa?
The most common E-7 (specific activity) visa requires permission or notification to the immigration office each time you change jobs, and your major field and the company’s job must strictly match, which imposes restrictions.
On the other hand, the F-2-7 visa is a 'residence' status, so if you meet the points requirement, job changes are much freer, and the range of fields you can work in is very broad. Another big advantage is that later you can invite your spouse or children to live together stably in Korea.
📍 Step 1: Am I eligible to apply? (Basic requirements check)
If you have obtained or are scheduled to obtain a master's degree or higher from a Korean graduate school and meet the following conditions, you are eligible to apply.
Educational requirement: Holder (or expected holder) of a master’s or doctoral degree from a domestic graduate school
Employment requirement: Person who has secured employment at a domestic company and signed an official employment contract
Current residency status: Person legally holding a student (D-2) or job-seeking (D-10) visa
Residency period requirement: Must have been legally residing in Korea for at least 1 year continuously on the relevant visa (D-2 or D-10).
💡 Vijob summary based on immigration regulations: If you have already changed your residency status from D-2 or D-10 to a professional visa like E-1~E-7, even if you have not completed a full year on the current visa, you are recognized as meeting the residency period requirement and can apply for F-2-7.
📊 Step 2: Scoring structure that decides approval (Total 170 points / Cutoff 80 points)
The F-2-7 visa evaluates your conditions by converting them into points instead of complicated document reviews. Without having to painfully calculate detailed decimal scores, if you exceed 80 points out of a total 170 points based on the following 5 key evaluation categories, your visa can be approved.
Age: The 25 to 34 age range receives the highest points.
Education: Doctoral degrees score higher than master’s, and STEM majors have an advantage over humanities.
Korean language proficiency: Higher official TOPIK scores or higher levels in the social integration program (KIIP) earn more points.
Annual income: Points are awarded according to the pre-tax total annual income stated in the employment contract.
Bonus & deductions: Bonus points can be earned by completing level 5 of the social integration program, Korean study experience, etc., while past fines or penalties may reduce points.
📝 Step 3: Checklist of documents to submit to the immigration office
If you decide to apply, please carefully prepare the following basic documents.
Integrated application form, original and copy of passport, alien registration card
Government review fee (for residency status change and registration card issuance)
Degree certificate or graduation certificate from a domestic graduate school
Korean language proficiency proof (TOPIK score report or KIIP completion certificate)
Employment contract (must specify employment period and income amount)
Income proof documents (income certificate or tax payment certificate issued by the tax office, etc.)
Additional submission if applicable: Social integration program completion certificate, social service activity certificate, career certificates, etc. to prove bonus points
If accompanied by family: Family relationship documents with apostille or consular confirmation
🎯 Vijob’s Visa Tips
The F-2-7 visa is a 100% points-based visa that evaluates various elements of your profile along with your employment success. It is important to accurately simulate your score in advance according to your situation and prepare documents strategically.
Many people regret not preparing their social integration program (KIIP) or TOPIK scores in advance because they get overwhelmed as graduation and employment approach. To help you fully demonstrate your abilities in Korean society and settle stably with your desired visa, Vijob will always be with you, providing reliable and accurate information. We support your wonderful career roadmap! 💙
💬 Curious about the detailed scoring table to calculate your score?
Do you need a 'detailed score table' including exact marks by age group, degree, and income brackets?
Leave a comment saying "next" now, and look forward to Vijob’s next article coming soon! We will be back shortly with a perfect detailed guide filled with numbers! ⏳✨