F-4 and F-5 (F-5-6) at a glance
| F-4 | Overseas Korean (F-4) is a visa status. It does not lead automatically to permanent residence or nationality. |
|---|---|
| F-5 | Permanent residence (F-5) is divided into several legal routes, each with its own requirements. |
| F-5-6 | A permanent residence route for people who have stayed continuously for 2 years or more as an overseas Korean (F-4) and whose need to keep living in Korea is recognised. |
| Common review areas | Every F-5 route also looks at good conduct, ability to earn a living, and basic knowledge such as Korean language ability and understanding of Korean society and culture. |
| What K-Biz Visa covers | We do not handle F-4 applications. We offer F-5 consultations, including F-5-6. |
Common points of confusion
- F-4 alone does not lead to F-5
- The law has a permanent residence route that assumes a history of stay on F-4. Holding F-4 does not by itself decide F-5. We look at your record of continuous stay, your need to keep living in Korea and the common review areas together.
- F-5-6 is one route within F-5
- F-5-6 is a single route based on an overseas Korean (F-4) history. It does not cover F-5 as a whole, and its requirements differ from those of other F-5 routes.
- What continuous stay means
- The F-5-6 route assumes continuous stay. If you have left and re-entered Korea, we look at your entry and exit history as well.
- Permanent residence and nationality are different
- Permanent residence (F-5) is a visa status. Acquiring Korean nationality is a separate system.
Before the consultation
In your first enquiry, tell us when you obtained Overseas Korean (F-4) status and your stay history in Korea. We first decide whether F-5-6 applies or whether to look at another F-5 route.
What to tell us first
- When you obtained Overseas Korean (F-4) status and your current stay situation
- Your stay history in Korea and entry and exit records
- Your base of life in Korea and your family situation
- Your job and income
Documents we ask for later
- Records proving your stay history
- Documents on your residence in Korea
- Income and employment documents
- Copies of your passport and ID
We ask only for the sensitive documents the review needs, and keep and delete them under our privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
No. The law has a permanent residence route that assumes a history of stay on F-4. Holding F-4 does not by itself decide F-5. We look at your record of continuous stay, your need to keep living in Korea and the common review areas, such as good conduct, ability to earn a living and basic knowledge, together.
F-5-6 is a route for people who have stayed continuously for 2 years or more as an overseas Korean (F-4) and whose need to keep living in Korea is recognised. Depending on your stay history and your family and work situation, another legal F-5 route may also apply, so we check those as well.
No. K-Biz Visa does not file Overseas Korean (F-4) applications. We advise on the procedure for changing to Permanent residence (F-5) on the basis of an F-4 stay history, including the Overseas Korean permanent residence (F-5-6) route.
No. Permanent residence (F-5) is a visa status, and acquiring Korean nationality is a separate system.
Related agencies and laws
The procedures and criteria on this page follow the guidance of the agencies and the laws below. How they apply is checked case by case.
Agencies
- Ministry of Justice immigration offices
- Korea Visa Portal
Laws
- Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans
- Immigration Act
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act
Send an enquiryTell us when you obtained Overseas Korean (F-4) status and your stay history in Korea, and we will reply with which permanent residence route to look at, including F-5-6.