Today, we will look into the required documents and target for F51 (General Permanent Resident, Over 5 Years Resident) among F5 permanent residency visas.
Firstly, the applicant from Mongolia held an F27 visa
When transitioning from an F27 visa to an F5 (permanent residency) domestically,
While there are cases where individuals transition from D2 to D10 to E7 (excluding E74) to F27 to F5 through professional visas (such as E7 or D8),
most commonly, follow the progression of D2 → D10 → E7 → F27 → F5.
Here, E7 mostly refers to E71 (professional workforce). In the case of E74,often transition to F-2-99 instead of F27.
The applicant had been residing in Korea for 18 years.
He went through the process of E9 → E74 → F27 to apply for F5, which was a somewhat unconventional case.
This was because the F27 visa operates on a points-based system, where achieving 80 points is a basic requirement. If the income is not above average and the education background doesn't score well, meeting the 80-point requirement is not easy.
When the applicant first applied for the F27 visa in 2017, the scoring system for education and income was quite different from now. However, the applicant made considerable efforts to score additional points by engaging in social volunteering and completing up to level 5 of the social integration program. Therefore, he was able to obtain the F27 visa at that time.
For detailed information on the points system for the F27 visa, check the link below ↓
Compared to the F-2-99 visa, one of the biggest advantages of the F-2-7 visa is the benefits given to accompanying family members.
If the principal resident receives F-2-99, then family members (spouse and minor children falling under F3 category) must change their status to F1 visa (cohabitation) from F3 visa. This is because the F3 visa is limited to the visa category of the principal resident, ranging from D-series to E-series.
In fact, there isn't much difference between F3 and F1 visas. Both are visas for legal residence under the sponsorship of the principal resident.
Unless granted permission for other activities, such as employment or business, neither visa allows such activities (though study is permissible).
However, in the case of the F-2-7 visa, if the principal resident applies for F-2-7, then accompanying family members can also receive the F-2-7 visa unless there are specific disqualifications.
The F2 visa has few restrictions on activities. Employment, business, study, entry, and exit are all unrestricted.
As for family members of the principal resident currently residing legally under dependent (F-3) or resident (F-1-9, etc.) status
1.If the principal resident is approved for the distinguished talent points system (F-2-7), family members can immediately apply for the corresponding residency status.
2.When the principal resident applies for the points-based residency status (F-2-7), family members can also apply together.
3.In the following cases, they must obtain a visa (F-2-71, F-1-12) through a diplomatic mission overseas after obtaining a confirmation of visa issuance then enter Korea
- If the applicant is a short-term visa holder or an illegal resident
- If the principal resident fails to meet the annual income requirement
- In other cases where domestic status change is not possible
4.Even if the principal resident is eligible for permission, the spouse cannot be granted permission if they are disqualified due to criminal history or other reasons. (Residence in Korea is also not allowed)
The applicant has been digging a single well for 18 years since coming to Korea
During approximately 10 years on an E9 visa, as well as when working on an E74 (Skilled Labor) visa and even on an F27 visa, the same industry was maintained, with only changes in job titles.
Because of this, the employer could recognize his experience and skills, allowing him to become a production manager and earn an annual salary of over twice the GNI which was 80 million won.
Now, let's look into the eligibility requirements and required documents for the F51 visa (General Residency, Over 5 Years of Residency) that the applicant has applied for.
F51 Visa (General Permanent Residency) Eligibility
- Must be an adult under the Korean Civil Law, having resided in Korea for over 5 years continuously with residency qualifications ranging from D-7 (long-term residency) to E-7 (specific activities) or F-2 (residency) visa.
F51 Visa (General Permanent Residency) Basic Requirements
1. Must have continuously resided in Korea for over 5 years up to the application date
2. Must not have engaged in or operated entertainment services (including similar industries) contrary to good morals or public order from 5 years before the application date until the date of decision.
3. Must maintain economic activities recognized under the current residency qualification (industries permitted for residency outside of the qualification are also recognized)
4.If the applicant holds D-8 (investment), D-9 (trade management), D-10 (job-seeking), or E-7 (specific activities) residency qualifications, they must also meet the following criteria
-D-8 (investment): Average annual sales of over 1 billion won in the previous two years (the year before the application year and the year before that)
- D-9 (trade management): Average annual export sales of over 500 million won or average annual sales of over 1 billion won in the previous two years
※ However, those involved in the installation, operation, and maintenance of export facilities, and the supervision of shipbuilding and equipment manufacturing are exempt from the application of the average annual export amount or sales amount
- D-10 (job-seeking): Must hold a bachelor's degree and have an employment contract meeting the requirements of E-1 to E-7 (excluding E-6, those engaged in entertainment establishments)
- E-7 (specific activities): Must hold a bachelor's degree or higher
5. Requirement for the ability to maintain livelihood
※ Must meet one of the following conditions
1.Income: More than twice the GNI per capita of the previous year (more than 80 million KRW)
2.Assets: More than 1.5 times the average net assets of the previous year
※ It is possible to combine family income. That is, the income of spouses, parents, etc., living together as registered on the residence certificate can also be combined
6. Requirement for good conduct
※ Must not have any domestic or international criminal records. Even minor matters must be checked
※ International criminal records are verified with an international criminal record certificate
※ Additionally, as a newly added guideline, completion of law-abiding citizen education is required
7.Basic competence requirement
※ This is a requirement for Korean language proficiency
- Must score at least 60 points in the comprehensive evaluation for permanent residence or naturalization, or complete level 5 of the social integration program
Documents required for application for change of status to F51 visa (general permanent residence)
① Passport, foreigner registration card, integrated application form, fee, standard-sized photograph (1 copy)
② Basic information of the applicant for F-5 (permanent residence) qualification (documents prepared by the applicant), proof of residence (lease contract, etc.)
③ Tuberculosis test certificate (if applicable, valid for 3 months): Issued by public health centers or designated hospitals by the Ministry of Justice
④ Guarantee of identity (if submitting a guarantee of identity to immigration, a copy of the guarantor's ID must also be attached)
⑤ Documents proving the requirement for good conduct
- Original international criminal record certificate (issued within 6 months from the application date, official verification and translation required)
- Certificate of completion of law-abiding citizen education
⑥ Documents proving basic competence requirement: Submit at least one of the following documents
- Certificate of passing the Korean Immigration Permanent Residence Qualification Exam (comprehensive evaluation for permanent residence)
- Certificate of passing the Korean Immigration Naturalization Qualification Exam (comprehensive evaluation for naturalization)
- Certificate of completion of the Social Integration Program (Korean Immigration Permanent Residence Qualification Course)
- Certificate of completion of the Social Integration Program (Korean Immigration Naturalization Qualification Course)
⑦ Documents proving the requirement for the ability to maintain livelihood
- Official documents related to full payment of national and local taxes (tax payment certificate or arrears certificate, etc.)
- 'Income Amount Certificate' issued by the tax office, including total income and paid income tax, among other tax-related official documents
※ If the income amount certificate for the previous year has not yet been issued, the one from the year before last must be submitted. If applying for permanent residency is difficult with that income, documents such as withholding tax + business owner and applicant's pledge + salary payment statement can be submitted instead
However, since the review for permanent residency can take more than 6 months, if the income amount certificate is issued during the review period, a request for supplementation may be made, and the income amount certificate must be submitted if such a request is made
※ Although not mandatory, it is recommended to also attach an employment certificate and a business registration certificate