Long-term residence visa at a glance
| Official name | Long-term residence (F-2-99) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | A person recognised by the Minister of Justice who has stayed in Korea continuously for 5 years or more under a visa status other than Diplomat (A-1) to Agreement (A-3), and whose base of life is in Korea |
| Key factors | Record of continuous stay and a base of life in Korea |
| Eligible statuses | Explained in consultation, based on your own stay history |
| Difference from permanent residence | Residence (F-2) and permanent residence (F-5) are separate visa statuses |
| What K-Biz Visa handles | Consultation, document preparation and filing with the immigration office |
Common points of confusion
- Length of stay and recognition
- The length of stay alone does not decide the route. We look at your record of continuous stay and your base of life in Korea together.
- Residence and permanent residence
- Residence (F-2) is a visa status, and permanent residence (F-5) is a separate status. We look at the two steps separately.
- Eligible statuses
- Which stay history qualifies is judged by the official criteria in force when you apply. We explain in consultation whether your case qualifies.
Before the consultation
In your first enquiry, tell us your visa statuses so far and your living situation in Korea. We first decide which route to look at.
What to tell us first
- Your visa statuses so far and how long you held each
- Your entry and exit history
- Your base of life in Korea
- Your job and family situation
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
The legal basis covers people who have stayed continuously for 5 years or more and whose base of life is in Korea. We look at your record of continuous stay and your base of life together.
The route assumes a visa status other than Diplomat (A-1) to Agreement (A-3). We explain in consultation whether your case qualifies.
Residence (F-2) is a visa status. Permanent residence (F-5) has its own legal routes and its own review.
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
- Immigration Act
- Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act
Send an enquiryTell us your visa statuses so far and your living situation in Korea, and we will reply setting out which route to look at.