There are many people who came to Korea to study, to find a job, or to spend a long time in Korea. However, whether it is a study visa or a work visa, there is a downside to frequently extending the visa, so which visa should I apply for to stay in Korea for a long time? If you just want to simply live in Korea, which visa would be more advantageous?

Are there many people around you who have an F-5 Korean Permanent Residence Card? What procedures should I follow if I want to obtain a Korean permanent resident card? What are the advantages of having a Korean Permanent Resident Card? So this time, let's consider these questions and learn about the F-5 visa, a permanent resident card in Korea!

Introduction to F5 Visa

Source: Nimal, a righteous man from Sri Lanka, 'I received a Korean Permanent Residence Card' - News 1 (news1.kr)

The F-5 visa is a visa that means permanent residency in Korea.

If you receive an F-5 visa, you can permanently reside in Korea and receive benefits such as national pension, health insurance, and voting rights. The F-5 visa is divided into 27 types depending on the applicant's conditions. Please note that each type has different application requirements and procedures.

To get an F5 visa

To apply for an F-5 visa, you must generally meet the following conditions:

1. If you have stayed in Korea for more than 5 years (some types are exceptions)

2. If you abide by Korean laws and have no criminal record

3. Your annual income is at least twice your GNI or you can prove it as assets.

4. If you have completed the 5th step of the social integration program or passed the comprehensive evaluation for permanent residence

Source: Conditions for acquiring permanent residency in Korea (Issuance of permanent resident visa in 2 months → receipt of permanent resident card) : Naver Blog (naver.com)

To apply for an F-5 visa, you must prepare the following documents.

1. Integrated application form

2. Passport and passport copy

3. Alien registration card and copy of alien registration card

4. Documents proving the place of stay (lease contract, or certified copy of register)

5. Overseas criminal record certificate

6. Identity guarantee

7. Certificate of Income Amount

8. Social integration program completion certificate (comprehensive evaluation pass certificate for permanent residents)

9. Additional documents for the type of permanent residence you are applying for

The F-5 visa has no fixed period, but the permanent residence card has a fixed period of 10 years. In other words, it is obliged to reissue once every 10 years with the validity period.

For more information on the F-5 visa, visit the Hi Korea website (https://www.hikorea.go.kr/Main.pt). To apply for an F-5 visa, you must make a reservation to visit Hi Korea.

What are the advantages of getting an F5 visa?

Source: Foreigners' applications for permanent residency in Korea and benefits from one to ten! : Naver blog (naver.com)

1. You can permanently reside in Korea. No need to worry about visa extensions or status changes.

2. Have equal rights and duties with Korean citizens. Enjoy and bear benefits and responsibilities such as national pension, health insurance, tax, education, and employment.

3. You will not be subject to deportation for non-serious offenses. You can live safely by following Korean laws.

4. Resident registration is available for foreigners. If you obtain resident registration, not alien registration, you can use convenient services such as identification cards, bank accounts, and credit cards.

5. Participate in local elections. You have limited voting rights and can participate in the will of your community.

6. You can receive state subsidies. You can apply for various subsidy programs offered by the Korean government.