Korea F-2-7 Visa Point System 2026: Complete Score Table & Calculator Guide

Most people calculating their F-2-7 score get the income section wrong. Not because the math is hard — because they’re using the wrong number. Immigration doesn’t look at your contract salary. It looks at your 소득금액증명원, the taxable income certificate issued by the National Tax Service. For someone earning ₩55 million on paper, that document might show ₩47–49 million. One bracket lower. That gap alone can be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying — or between a 1-year stay and a 2-year stay. The F-2-7 point system covers age, education, Korean language, and income across four categories, with a maximum of 170 points and a minimum of 80 to qualify. This guide walks through every category with the official 2026 figures, shows you where miscalculations happen, and gives you the tools to calculate your actual score before you walk into an immigration office.

What Is the F-2-7 Visa and Why Does It Matter?

The F-2-7 visa (점수제 우수인재 거주비자, or “points-based skilled talent residence visa”) is Korea’s points-based residence visa designed for skilled foreign professionals. Unlike employer-tied work visas like the E-7, the F-2-7 gives you a feeling of freedom.

As of April 2026, here’s what makes the F-2-7 special, according to the Korea Immigration Service:

• No employer sponsorship required — You can change jobs freely without visa complications
• Long-term stability — Stay periods range from 1 to 5 years depending on your score
• Path to permanent residency — F-2-7 holders can eventually apply for F-5 permanent residence
• Spouse work rights — Your spouse can also work in Korea (with some restrictions)
• Renewable indefinitely — As long as you maintain 80+ points, you can keep renewing

You need to score at least 80 points out of a possible 170 points (130 base points + 40 bonus points) on the official point system. This score is calculated based on your age, education, Korean language ability, income, and various bonus factors.

Basic Eligibility Requirements for F-2-7 (2026)

Mandatory Requirements

1. Professional visa status for 3+ years — You must have held a professional visa (E-1 through E-7-1, or D-5 through D-9) for at least 3 consecutive years with legal status. Source: Korea Immigration Service
2. Minimum 80 points — Score at least 80 points on the official point table
3. Clean immigration record — No illegal stay history or serious immigration violations
4. Income verification — Generally, your previous year’s income must be at least 1x the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, though exceptions exist

Important Exception: 3-Year Rule Waiver

 You can skip the 3-year requirement under certain conditions. As of 2026, the 3-year consecutive stay requirement is waived if you meet any of these criteria:

• Annual income of ₩40,000,000 or more (verified by 소득금액증명원, or “income certificate”)
• Employment at a KOSPI or KOSDAQ listed company
• Hold a master’s degree or higher

This means you could theoretically transition from D-2 (student) → D-10 (job seeker) → directly to F-2-7, skipping the E-7 entirely.  Source: Immigration case study

Complete 2026 F-2-7 Score Table (Official)

The F-2-7 point system has four main categories (up to 130 base points) plus bonus points (up to 40 additional points). 

1. Age Points (Maximum 25 Points)

Your age is calculated based on your birthday as of the application date.

 note: Age points decrease as you get older. If you’re currently 34, your points will drop from 23 to 20 on your 35th birthday. Plan your application timing accordingly!

2. Education Points (Maximum 25 Points)

Korea awards extra points for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) degrees and for holding multiple degrees. Your degree must be verifiable through KCUE (Korean Council for University Education)—completion certificates without actual graduation don’t count.

3. Korean Language Proficiency (Maximum 20 Points)

This category is where you can boost your score. Korean proficiency is measured through either TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) or KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program).

4. Annual Income Points (Maximum 60 Points)

Income is the most heavily weighted category—you can earn up to 60 points here. Your income is verified through your 소득금액증명원 (sogeum-geumaek jeungmyeongwon, or Income Certificate) from the National Tax Service, based on your previous year’s taxed income.

Note: Only taxed income counts. Untaxed allowances like 식비 (sikbi, meal allowance) or 교통비 (gyotongbi, transportation allowance) are NOT included. The figure that matters is the amount on your 소득금액증명원 — not your employment contract salary.

5. Bonus Points (Maximum 40 Points)

Bonus points are added on top of your base score.

Note: QS rankings are updated annually. The 2026 rankings were released in October 2025. If your university moved in or out of the Top 500, your bonus points change. Verify at topuniversities.com before applying.

6. Deductions (Up to −80 Points)

Violations reduce your total score. These are checked automatically against your immigration and criminal record at the time of application.

Note: Deductions apply cumulatively across categories. Always verify your immigration record at hikorea.go.kr before applying.

Source: Han Visa F-2-7 Guide

TOPIK vs KIIP: Which Should You Choose?

The Short Answer

For F-2-7 scoring purposes, TOPIK and KIIP are equivalent. TOPIK Level 4 gives you the same 15 points as KIIP Level 4. TOPIK 5-6 equals KIIP Level 5 at 20 points. Source: Mr. Visa Korea

Which One Should You Choose?

Most people overthink this. If you’re already comfortable holding basic conversations in Korean, just take TOPIK and get it done. The test runs six times a year, you study on your own schedule, and if you don’t pass the level you wanted, you can retake it within a few months. For someone who already has a foundation, TOPIK is simply the faster path.

KIIP makes more sense if permanent residency is actually on your radar. The F-5 process treats KIIP Level 5 differently than TOPIK — it satisfies social integration requirements that TOPIK alone doesn’t cover. The classes run over several months and attendance is mandatory. But it’s free, and the cultural content is genuinely useful if you’re planning to stay long-term.

If you’re starting from zero Korean, KIIP is actually the more practical option. It gives you a structured curriculum, native-speaking instructors, and a clear progression from Level 1 to 5. Learning Korean through KIIP while simultaneously building toward your F-2-7 score is a reasonable two-year plan.

One thing to keep in mind. TOPIK certificates expire after two years. If you pass TOPIK 4 now but don’t apply for F-2-7 for another two and a half years, you’ll need to retake it. KIIP completion certificates don’t expire, which is a real advantage if your timeline is uncertain.

Stay Duration by Points: How Long Will You Get?

Stay Duration Based on Income Score

Your income score alone can also determine your stay duration:

 note: When you renew your F-2-7, immigration recalculates your points. If your score drops below 80 (due to aging, decreased income, etc.), you will not be able to renew your F-2-7 status.

E-7 to F-2-7 Transition: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility

• Confirm you’ve held an E-7 (or E-1 through E-7-1, D-5 through D-9) for 3+ consecutive years as a registered foreigner
• Or confirm you meet the 3-year waiver requirements (₩40M+ income, KOSPI/KOSDAQ employment, or master’s degree)
• Calculate your points using the calculator above — you need a minimum of 80 points

Step 2: Calculate Your Score Online

1. Go to hikorea.go.kr
2. Navigate to 민원서비스 (Civil Services)
3. Look for the F-2-7 점수계산 (Point Calculator) tool
4. Input your information to get an official estimate

 note: Also check immigration.go.kr for the most current point tables, as they’re updated periodically.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

Step 4: Book an Immigration Appointment

 Time: 10 minutes to book, 3+ weeks wait time

1. Go to hikorea.go.kr
2. Log in (create an account if needed)
3. Click 방문예약 (bangmun yeyak, Visit Reservation)
4. Select your nearest 출입국관리사무소 (churipguk gwanli samuso, Immigration Office)
5. Choose 체류자격변경 (cheryu jagyeok byeongyeong, Status Change) → F-2-7
6. Pick an available date and time

 note: In Seoul. Book at least 3-4 weeks in advance. If you need an appointment sooner, try offices outside Seoul (Incheon, Suwon, etc.), which often have shorter wait times.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

  Time: 1-2 hours at the immigration office

1. Arrive at your appointment time with ALL documents
2. Take a number and wait to be called
3. Submit your documents to the officer
4. Pay the ₩130,000 fee
5. Receive a receipt with your case number

Step 6: Wait for Approval

 Processing time: typically 2-4 weeks

• Check your status on HiKorea using your case number
• You may receive a call if additional documents are needed
• Once approved, return to immigration to get your new ARC

Can Your Spouse Work on F-2-7?

When you get the F-2-7, your spouse can apply for F-2 (Dependent Family) status, which allows them to work in professional positions without needing a separate work permit. That’s a meaningful difference from something like an E-2 dependent, where additional permits are usually required.

The restriction is on the lower end of the job spectrum. Simple manufacturing, construction labor, and other work that falls under the E-9 category are generally off-limits. For office jobs, technical roles, or anything professional, there’s no additional barrier — your spouse can work freely.

A few things worth knowing before your spouse starts job hunting. The F-2 status isn’t automatically granted when you receive your F-2-7 — your spouse needs to apply separately. And if there’s any doubt about whether a specific job falls into a restricted category, it’s worth confirming with immigration before they start, not after.

Source: Hani Seoul Visa Guide

Details That Matter Before You Apply

One thing that catches people off guard. if you apply between January and April, your most recent income certificate won’t be available yet. The National Tax Service typically issues the previous year’s income data after May, so immigration will assess your 2024 income instead of 2025. If you had a strong year in 2025, it’s worth waiting until May or June to apply.

The renewal trap is real. A lot of people get their F-2-7 at 29 with the maximum 25 age points, then hit renewal at 35 and find themselves at 20 — a 5-point drop that can push a borderline score under 80. Calculate what your score looks like three to five years from now, not just today. If income is your weakest category, focus on building it.

QS rankings update every October. If your university was right on the edge of the Top 500, check the current list at topuniversities.com before you apply — bonus points can change year to year based on where your school lands.

On the KIIP and F-5 question. Even if you already have TOPIK 6, completing KIIP Level 5 is still worth doing if permanent residency is your long-term goal. They satisfy different requirements, and immigration doesn’t treat them as interchangeable for the F-5 process.

Foreign documents need official Korean translations from immigration-approved agencies—not a friend who speaks Korean, or a general translation service. Wrong translations don’t just get rejected. They can delay your whole application by weeks while you start over.

As of July 2025, losing your job while on F-2-7 gives you a one-year grace period to find new employment. That buffer is useful, but it doesn’t carry over to renewal — you’ll still need income documentation when the time comes.

Official Resources & Links

• Korea Immigration Service (출입국관리사무소, Chul-ip-guk-gwan-ri-sa-mu-so) — Official visa information and policy updates
• HiKorea Online Portal — Appointment booking, status checks, and online applications
• Ministry of Justice Korea (법무부, Beom-mu-bu) — Policy announcements and regulations
• HomeTax (국세청 홈택스, Guk-se-cheong Hom-taek-seu) — Income certificates and tax documents
• TOPIK Official Site — Test registration and score certificates
• KIIP (사회통합정보망, Sa-hoe-tong-hap-jeong-bo-mang) — Social Integration Program registration

Common Mistakes When Calculating Your F-2-7 Score

Mistake 1: Using Your Contract Salary Instead of 소득금액증명원

The most common calculation error. Your F-2-7 income score is based on your 소득금액증명원 — the official taxable income certificate from the National Tax Service — not the number on your employment contract. A ₩55 million salary can show up as ₩47–49 million on the certificate due to non-taxable allowances. Always pull the actual certificate before calculating your points.

Mistake 2: Adding TOPIK and KIIP Points Together

You can only claim points from one language certification — either TOPIK or KIIP, whichever gives the higher score. They are not additive. A recurring pattern in expat communities: someone with TOPIK 4 (15 points) who also completed KIIP Level 4 assumes they have 30 points. They have 15. Choose the higher of the two and claim that one.

Mistake 3: Not Knowing About KIIP Placement Tests

If you already hold TOPIK Level 4 or higher, you don’t need to start KIIP from Level 1. A placement test allows you to enter directly at a higher level — potentially Level 4 or 5 — saving months of classes. Many applicants spend a year working through lower KIIP levels without realizing they could have placed directly into Level 4 or 5 based on their existing TOPIK score.

Mistake 4: Miscalculating Points Near a Bracket Boundary

The income brackets have hard cutoffs. ₩49,999,999 earns 40 points. ₩50,000,000 earns 45 points. That ₩1 difference is worth 5 points on your application. Several applicants have discovered at the immigration counter that their certified income placed them in a lower bracket than they calculated — dropping their total below 80. Pull your 소득금액증명원 first, then calculate.

Mistake 5: Letting Your TOPIK Certificate Expire

TOPIK certificates are valid for 2 years from the test date. If your certificate expires before your application date, your language score drops to zero — regardless of your actual Korean ability. KIIP completion certificates have no expiration date. If your timeline is uncertain, KIIP is the safer long-term choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What To Do Next Based on Your Score

130+ Points

You’re in the best position you can be in. Start gathering your documents this week — passport copy, ARC, 소득금액증명원, degree certificate, and your TOPIK or KIIP certificate. Book your immigration appointment on HiKorea now. Seoul offices fill up 3–4 weeks out, and the process doesn’t start until you’re actually in the queue. Double-check that the income on your 소득금액증명원 matches what you calculated, because that number is what immigration uses.

80–129 Points

You qualify, but before you rush to apply, think about whether you’re close to a threshold. If you’re at 108 points, two more points from a TOPIK retake gets you two years instead of one. If you’re at 118, a job change that bumps your income could get you to three years instead of two. Small gaps are worth closing before you submit. Also worth doing now: run the numbers on what your score looks like at renewal. If your TOPIK certificate expires in 18 months and your age bracket drops in two years, plan accordingly.

60–79 Points

The fastest points available to most people in this range are Korean language and income. TOPIK Level 3 to Level 4 is a 5-point jump. Level 4 to Level 5–6 is another 5. That’s 10 points from just one category, and the test runs six times a year. On the income side, even a modest raise can move you up a bracket. Check your bonus categories too. if you graduated from a QS Top 500 school, that’s points you might not have counted.

Below 60 Points

The F-2-7 is a long-term target, not an immediate one. The most reliable path from here is building income and Korean language simultaneously. Career progression typically handles the income side over time. For language, starting KIIP now means you could realistically hit Level 4 or 5 within two years — and the classes are free. If a master’s degree is something you’ve been considering anyway. it adds education points directly and, if the school ranks well, adds bonus points on top. Many people in this position spent three to five years building before they applied.

 note: always verify the latest requirements with official sources before applying, as regulations can change. Always verify current requirements at immigration.go.kr before submitting — point values and thresholds are updated periodically. For situations not covered here, call 1345.

Have questions about your specific situation? Leave a comment below or consult with a licensed immigration attorney for personalized advice.