Korea Family Visa Guide 2026 — F-3 Dependent, F-6 Marriage, F-5 Permanent, F-2

Q: How do I get F-5 (permanent residence)?

F-5 is Korea's permanent residence visa, the most powerful status short of naturalization. Main pathways: (1) 5 years on E-series/F-series + Korean income tax payment + Korean language test (TOPIK 3+ or KIIP 5+) + clean criminal record. (2) F-6 spouse: 2-3 years after F-6 issuance (faster track). (3) F-2-99 points: accumulating points-based residence then converting. (4) Investment: ₩300M+ business investment + creating Korean jobs. (5) Children of Korean citizens. Apply at HiKorea with extensive documentation: tax payment certificates, employment history, Korean language test results, criminal record check from home country, statement of purpose. Processing: 3-6 months. F-5 = work anywhere, no renewal cycles (just ARC every 10 years), can sponsor parents/siblings as F-1, exit/re-enter freely.

Q: What is F-2-99 (points-based long-term residence)?

F-2-99 is Korea's points-based residence visa, primarily for foreign professionals/students who have been in Korea on D-series or E-series visas. Points accumulate from: Korean language ability (TOPIK 3-6: 5-30 points), age (most points for 30-40 range), education level (BA: 5 / MA: 10 / PhD: 15), Korean work experience (5-15 points), income (high earners get more), professional achievements. You need 80+ points to qualify. Once issued, F-2-99 allows work anywhere in Korea, indefinite stay (2-3 year renewals), and is the standard bridge to F-5. Apply at HiKorea with TOPIK certificate, education credentials (apostilled), employment certificate, tax payment certificates.

Q: What happens to dependents when the principal's visa expires?

F-3 dependents are tied to the principal — if the principal loses their D/E/H-2 status (resignation, expiration, deportation), F-3 dependents lose status simultaneously. You have 3 options: (1) Principal renews / extends → F-3 also extends in parallel. (2) Find another principal visa or convert to F-6 marriage / F-2-99 points: file before current status expires. (3) Leave Korea voluntarily: 30-day grace period for orderly departure after principal's status loss. Status loss followed by overstay carries 5-year re-entry ban + fines (up to ₩30M depending on overstay length). For F-5 / F-6 / F-2 holders, status is independent — not affected by spouse's status.

📅 Published 2026.05 · By kr-utils · ~10 min read

Korea's F-series visas govern long-term residence based on family ties, qualification points, marriage to a Korean citizen, or permanent residence status. The category names (F-1 through F-6) overlap and confuse — F-3 dependent vs F-6 marriage vs F-2 long-term residence vs F-5 permanent residence each have distinct eligibility, work rights, renewal cycles, and pathways to permanence. This guide walks through the five most common family-related F-series visas for foreigners with a Korean spouse, working principal, or family in Korea, with explicit eligibility criteria, document checklists, processing times, and renewal cycles based on 2026 Korea Immigration Service (KIS) policy.

Quick summary: F-3 = dependent of D/E/H-2 principal (no work without permit), F-6 = marriage to Korean citizen (work allowed, 2-3 yr → F-5 fast track), F-5 = permanent residence (5 yrs on E/F + TOPIK 3+ + clean record), F-2-99 = points-based long-term residence (80+ pts), F-4 = overseas Korean (ethnic Koreans only). Apply at Korean embassy abroad OR change status at HiKorea inside Korea. F-3 dependents lose status if principal loses theirs.

🛂 Visa & ARC Expiration 📋 ARC Renewal Checklist

1. F-series visa comparison table

The five most relevant family-related F visas at a glance:

Visa	Eligibility	Work	Validity	Path to F-5
F-3 (dependent)	Spouse + minor children of D/E/H-2 principal	Restricted (permit needed)	Tied to principal's status	Convert to own E-series + qualify independently
F-6 (marriage)	Foreign spouse of Korean citizen	Yes	2 years, renewable	2-3 years (fast track)
F-2-99 (points)	D/E series holders accumulating 80+ points	Yes, anywhere	3 years, renewable	5 years total on E + F-2
F-5 (permanent)	5 yrs on E/F + TOPIK 3+ + clean record OR F-6 2-3 yrs OR investment	Yes, anywhere + no employer dependency	Indefinite (ARC every 10 yrs)	N/A (terminal status)
F-4 (overseas Korean)	Ethnic Korean with foreign nationality	Yes, professional/managerial (not unskilled labor)	3 years, renewable	5 yrs on F-4 + tax record

For a separate visa renewal procedural walkthrough across all D/E/F categories, see Korea Visa Renewal Complete Guide 2026. For the F-1-D digital nomad visa specifically, see Korea Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D) Guide.

2. F-3 dependent visa — spouse + children of D/E/H-2 workers

2.1 Eligibility

Principal must hold: D-series (D-2 student, D-4 trainee, D-5 journalist, D-7 intra-company, D-8 investor, D-9 trade, D-10 job seeker), E-series (E-1 to E-7 specialized work, except E-9 unskilled labor — E-9 holders cannot bring F-3 dependents), or H-2 (ethnic Korean working visit)
F-3 dependents: legal spouse + minor children (under 19) of the principal
Exclusions: adult children (19+), parents, siblings, common-law partners (legal marriage required), domestic partners

2.2 Work restrictions

F-3 is a non-working dependent visa by default. Limited part-time work possible only with "체류자격 외 활동 허가" (out-of-status activity permit) from immigration, requiring:

Specific employer + concrete job offer letter
Proof job won't compete with Korean workers (typically light service, English tutoring, etc.)
Spouses typically capped at ~25 hours/week. Minors heavily restricted.
Permit valid 6 months - 1 year, renewable

For full-time career employment, convert to an independent E-series visa (E-7 specialized, E-2 conversation teacher, etc.) — the smarter long-term path.

2.3 Document checklist

Apostilled marriage certificate (spouse) + apostilled birth certificate (children) from home country + Korean translations
Principal's employment certificate (재직증명서) + visa copy + ARC copy
Dependents' passports (6+ months remaining validity) + 35×45mm photos (white background, 6 months recent)
Form 34 (visa application questionnaire) — download from HiKorea
Principal's bank statements (3-6 months, showing stable income ≥ ₩20-25M/year)
Apostilled criminal background check from home country (some embassies)
Application fee (~₩60,000 per dependent + ₩50,000 reissue if status change inside Korea)

2.4 Processing time + validity

Application: 2-8 weeks at embassy (varies by country); 3-6 weeks for status change at HiKorea
Single-entry visa: 3 months from issuance (must enter Korea within window)
ARC issued 4-6 weeks after Korean immigration registration
F-3 ARC validity = principal's remaining ARC duration. Renewal cycle tied to principal's renewal.

3. F-6 marriage visa — foreign spouse of Korean citizen

3.1 Two sub-categories

F-6-1 (married to Korean): basic spousal visa, work allowed, renewable 2 years at a time
F-6-3 (divorced/widowed parent of Korean child): for foreign parents who divorced/lost their Korean spouse but have a Korean-citizen child under 18 to care for. Same work rights as F-6-1.

3.2 Eligibility + Korean spouse requirements

Legal marriage registered in Korea (혼인신고) — mere marriage in foreign country isn't enough; must file at Korean local office
Korean spouse must demonstrate stable income (₩20M+/year typical floor, varies by family size) OR a Korean-citizen guarantor with sufficient income
Both spouses passing immigration interview on relationship authenticity (no fraud marriage indicators)
Health certificate (some marriage cases require HIV/TB test results)

3.3 Pathway to F-5 (fast track)

F-6 holders qualify for F-5 permanent residence after just 2-3 years of marriage + Korean residence, far faster than the standard 5-year E/F path. Requirements: stable marriage (no divorce filing), tax payment record, basic Korean language (TOPIK 2+ or KIIP 3+), clean criminal record. Korean-spouse income may substitute for own income.

3.4 What if the marriage ends?

Divorce before F-5: F-6-1 status loss within 6 months. Can sometimes convert to F-2 (long-term residence by qualification) if you have a Korean-citizen child or significant Korean tax history.
Korean spouse death: F-6 retained for grieving period (typically 1 year) then must show independent path (own job, F-2 conversion).
F-6-3 (divorced with Korean child): status preserved as long as child is under 18 and you have custody.

4. F-5 permanent residence — Korea's most powerful status

4.1 Main pathways

5 years on E/F-series + Korean tax payment record + TOPIK level 3+ (or KIIP completion of level 5) + clean criminal record
F-6 spouse 2-3 years + stable marriage + basic Korean (TOPIK 2 / KIIP 3)
F-2-99 points (80+ points) for 3+ years with continued accumulation
Investment: ₩300M+ business investment + creating ≥ 2 Korean jobs (long term)
Foreign Korean F-4 5 years + tax record
Highly skilled professional: specific minister-of-justice-designated occupations, accelerated path

4.2 Benefits

Work anywhere in Korea, including unskilled jobs, public sector positions, business ownership
No employer sponsorship dependency (lose job → no visa risk)
Sponsor parents/siblings as F-1 family visa (more inclusive than F-3)
Real estate ownership identical to Korean citizens (no FX reporting penalties)
Healthcare, education, banking all aligned with Korean citizen treatment
NPS lump-sum eligibility on departure (treaty countries only — US/UK/JP/AU/CA/DE etc.)

4.3 What F-5 doesn't get you

Korean voting rights (only citizens vote)
Korean passport (apply for naturalization separately if desired, 3+ years after F-5)
Some government positions (police, certain military, intelligence)
ARC required every 10 years (not the same as needing visa renewal — much simpler)

5. F-2-99 points-based residence + F-4 overseas Korean

5.1 F-2-99 points system

Designed for D/E series holders who want long-term residence without going through F-6 marriage. Points accumulate across multiple categories:

Korean language: TOPIK 3 (5 pts), TOPIK 4 (10), TOPIK 5 (20), TOPIK 6 (30)
Age: 25-29 (15), 30-34 (20), 35-39 (15), 40+ (10) — points peak in early career
Education: BA (5), MA (10), PhD (15) — domestic Korean degrees +5 bonus
Korean work experience: 1-3 yrs (5), 3-5 yrs (10), 5+ yrs (15)
Income: ₩30M+ (5), ₩50M+ (10), ₩70M+ (15), ₩100M+ (20)
Professional achievement: patents, awards, NGO leadership, etc. (5-15)

Total threshold: 80+ points. Apply at HiKorea with TOPIK certificate, education credentials (apostilled), employment certificate, tax payment certificates, achievement documents. Once approved: 3-year renewable residence, work anywhere, bridge to F-5 (5 years total on E + F-2).

5.2 F-4 overseas Korean visa

Restricted to ethnic Koreans (재외동포) with foreign nationality — Korean-Americans, Korean-Canadians, Korean ethnic Chinese (조선족 from China), and similar. Eligibility:

Direct ancestor (parent or grandparent) was Korean citizen
Foreign passport currently held (Korean dual citizenship is restricted to specific cases)
Apostilled family registry (가족관계증명서) tracing Korean lineage required

F-4 grants: 3-year renewable residence, work in professional/managerial roles (not unskilled labor — no factory line work, no simple service), real estate purchase, healthcare access. F-4 → F-5 after 5 years + Korean tax record.

6. Application process step by step

6.1 Outside Korea (embassy / consulate)

Identify the right Korean embassy / consulate for your jurisdiction (one per country/region typically)
Book appointment online (some embassies) or arrive during walk-in hours
Submit documents (passport + photos + form + supporting docs) + pay fee
Processing: 2-8 weeks (varies by season and country). Some embassies offer expedited service for additional fee.
Pick up visa (single-entry, 3-month validity for first entry)
Enter Korea within the 3-month window
Register for ARC at HiKorea or local immigration office within 90 days of arrival

6.2 Inside Korea (status change)

Already in Korea on different status (B-2 visitor, D-2 student converting, etc.) — must apply for status change before current status expires
Online appointment at HiKorea (☎ 1345)
Visit immigration office in person with documents
Fee: ₩60,000-100,000 status change + ARC reissue fee if applicable
Processing: 3-6 weeks. Temporary stamp issued same-day in passport (legal status until new ARC issued)

7. Renewal + ARC management

F-3: renewed when principal renews. Apply 4-6 months before expiration at HiKorea.
F-6: 2-year renewal cycles. Apply 1-2 months before expiration with updated marriage proof + Korean spouse's income certificate.
F-5: ARC every 10 years (just card renewal, status itself is permanent). Apply at HiKorea ~1 month before ARC expiration.
F-2-99: 3-year cycles. Submit updated points evidence (new TOPIK score, employment, etc.).
F-4: 3-year cycles. Update foreign passport + Korean family registry.

For per-visa renewal procedures, document checklists, processing times, and 30-day grace period rules, see Korea Visa Renewal Complete Guide 2026. For tracking expiration dates and planning renewal applications 4 months in advance, use the Korea Visa & ARC Expiration Tracker.

Tools to pair with this guide

🛂 Visa & ARC Expiration Tracker 📋 ARC Renewal Checklist 🌏 F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa 🧾 Foreigner Income Tax

Related guides

🏫 Korea School Education for Foreigners 2026 — F-3/F-6 dependent children K-12 enrollment + university paths
⚖️ Korea Labor Law for Foreign Workers 2026 — F-2/F-5/F-6 work rights vs F-3 restrictions
🛂 Korea Visa Renewal Complete Guide 2026 — renewal procedure for all F-series
🛡 Korea 4-Insurance for Expats — F-3 spouse + child NHIS enrollment
💎 Korea Pension, IRP & ISA for Foreigners — F-5/F-6 family retirement planning
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Korea Marriage Life for Foreigners 2026 — in-laws · holidays · couple taxes · divorce · inheritance for F-6 spouses

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between F-2, F-3, F-5, and F-6?

F-2 = long-term residence by qualification (F-2-99 points-based, F-2-7 marriage transition, F-2-4 investor) — work allowed, multi-year stay. F-3 = dependent of a non-resident worker (D/E/H-2 series principal) — work generally restricted, tied to principal's status. F-5 = permanent residence — work + benefits identical to Korean citizen except voting/passport, indefinite stay. F-6 = marriage to Korean citizen — work allowed, distinct from F-2-7. Each has separate application paths, eligibility, and renewal cycles.

Can F-3 dependents work in Korea?

By default no — F-3 is a non-working dependent visa. Exception: with individual work permission (체류자격 외 활동 허가) at immigration, limited part-time work is possible (typically under 25 hrs/week for spouses, restricted for minors). The permission requires proof of specific employer + job offer + work won't compete with Korean workers. For full-time work, convert to your own E-series visa (E-7 specialized worker, E-2 teacher, etc.) by qualifying independently.

How does the F-6 (Korean spouse) visa work?

F-6 is issued to a foreign spouse of a Korean citizen after legal marriage registration in Korea (혼인신고). F-6-1 = married to Korean (basic spousal visa). F-6-3 = divorced/widowed parent of Korean child. Apply at Korean embassy abroad or HiKorea (status change inside Korea). Requires apostilled marriage certificate + Korean spouse's family registry + proof of stable income or guarantor. After 2-3 years on F-6, eligible for F-5 permanent residence (faster than the standard 5-year F-5 path).

How do I get F-5 (permanent residence)?

Main pathways: (1) 5 years on E/F-series + tax payment + TOPIK 3+ or KIIP 5+ + clean criminal record. (2) F-6 spouse: 2-3 years after F-6 issuance (faster track). (3) F-2-99 points: accumulate 80+ points then convert. (4) Investment: ₩300M+ business + creating Korean jobs. (5) Children of Korean citizens. Apply at HiKorea. Processing: 3-6 months. F-5 = work anywhere, no renewal cycles (just ARC every 10 years), can sponsor parents/siblings as F-1, exit/re-enter freely.

What is F-2-99 (points-based long-term residence)?

Korea's points-based residence visa, for foreign professionals/students who've been in Korea on D/E series. Points from: Korean language (TOPIK 3-6: 5-30 pts), age (peak at 30-34), education (BA: 5 / MA: 10 / PhD: 15), Korean work experience (5-15), income (high earners more), professional achievements. Threshold: 80+ points. Once issued: work anywhere, indefinite stay (3-year renewals), bridge to F-5. Apply at HiKorea with TOPIK certificate, education credentials (apostilled), employment certificate, tax records.

Can foreign Koreans (F-4) bring their family to Korea?

F-4 (Overseas Korean / 재외동포) is restricted to ethnic Koreans with foreign nationality. F-4 holders get work rights, healthcare, real estate purchase. Family members get distinct treatment: (a) Spouse not ethnic Korean → F-2-1 visa (accompanying spouse of F-4). (b) Children → F-4 themselves if ethnic Korean, otherwise F-2-2 accompanying minor. F-4 valid 3 years per cycle, renewable indefinitely. After 5 years on F-4 + Korean tax record, eligible for F-5. F-4 cannot work as unskilled labor — only professional/managerial.

What happens to dependents when the principal's visa expires?

F-3 dependents tied to principal — if principal loses D/E/H-2 status, F-3 dependents lose status simultaneously. Options: (1) Principal renews → F-3 also extends. (2) Find new principal or convert to F-6 marriage / F-2-99 points / own E-series: file before current status expires. (3) Leave Korea voluntarily: 30-day grace period after principal's status loss. Status loss + overstay carries 5-year re-entry ban + fines up to ₩30M. F-5/F-6/F-2 holders have independent status — not affected by spouse's status.

📌 Official sources · References

HiKorea (Korea Immigration Service) · Official visa applications, status changes, ARC issuance, appointment booking. ☎ 1345 (multilingual: EN/ZH/JA/VI/TH/MN/RU+)
Korea Immigration Service (KIS / 출입국·외국인정책본부) · Policy announcements, regulation updates, visa category guidelines
Korea National Law Information Center — Immigration Control Act (출입국관리법) · Legal basis for all visa categories, residence permits, deportation procedures
Multicultural Family Support Act (다문화가족지원법) · F-6 marriage visa rights + Korean-spouse family obligations
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) · Official Korean language test, required for F-5 / F-2-99 / F-6 fast track. Held quarterly
KIIP (Korea Immigration & Integration Program / 사회통합프로그램) · Government-run Korean language and culture course, level 5 completion = F-5 language requirement
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Korean Embassies & Consulates Directory · Find your nearest Korean embassy for outside-Korea applications

This guide reflects Korea Immigration Service policy as of May 2026. Visa eligibility criteria, point thresholds, processing times, and document requirements are updated regularly by KIS (typically annually around January-March). Always verify current requirements at HiKorea (☎ 1345 with English option) before submitting application or paying fees.

⚠️ This guide describes Korean immigration policy as of May 2026 and is educational reference only. Visa decisions are made by Korea Immigration Service (KIS) based on individual circumstances, country of origin, specific employer/sponsor, and current policy direction. For complex cases (refugee, humanitarian, multi-jurisdiction marriage, custody disputes affecting F-6-3), consult HiKorea directly (☎ 1345) or a licensed Korean visa attorney. This article does not constitute legal or immigration advice.