How to Apply for Permanent Residency (F-5-27) as a Recognized Refugee (F-2-4) Guide

If you are living in Korea as a recognized refugee on an F-2-4 visa and meet certain requirements, you can apply to change your status to permanent residency (F-5-27). Once you hold permanent resident status, you can live freely in Korea without needing to renew your stay period or obtain separate permission for changes of workplace. Before you apply, it is helpful to read How to Complete and Submit the Integrated Application Form in advance so you can prepare smoothly.

Process at a Glance

1. 1. Check the Requirements

   Confirm that you meet all of the following: minimum stay period (2 years), legal adult age, good conduct, financial self-sufficiency, and basic competency requirements.

2. 2. Complete the Basic Competency Requirement

   Either complete the KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program) permanent residency course, or pass the Korea Immigration Permanent Residency Qualification Test.

3. 3. Prepare Your Documents

   Gather the integrated application form, passport, alien registration card, proof of residence, financial documents, and any other required materials.

4. 4. Make an Appointment

   Book a visit to your local Korea Immigration Service office through HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr).

5. 5. Visit in Person and Pay the Fee

   Go to your local Korea Immigration Service office on the scheduled date, submit your documents, and pay the application fee.

6. 6. Review and Notification

   Additional documents may be requested during the review. You will be notified once a decision has been made.

7. 7. Receive Your Permanent Residency Card

   If approved, your permanent residency card will be issued for a fee of 35,000 Korean won.

Fees and deadlines are subject to change. Always confirm the latest information with the Immigration Contact Center (dial 1345, no area code needed) or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.

Who Can Apply

Anyone currently staying in Korea on an F-2-4 (recognized refugee) visa who meets all of the requirements listed below may apply.

Requirements

1. Length of Stay

You must have been continuously residing in Korea on F-2-4 status for at least two years as of the date you apply.

• “Continuous residence” means you must not have fully departed Korea at any point during that period.
• However, if you obtained a re-entry permit (including cases where the permit requirement is waived) before leaving and returned within three months, that time abroad is still counted as part of your domestic stay period.

2. Legal Adult Age

You must be a legal adult under Korean civil law, meaning 19 years of age or older.

3. Good Conduct

You must comply with Korean laws and regulations and be of good character. Separate standards apply if you have received a fine or criminal penalty. Reading Korean Laws and Penalties That Foreigners and Refugees Should Know may also be useful.

4. Financial Self-Sufficiency

You must be able to support yourself through your own income or assets, or those of family members living with you.

• The combined income of you and your family members must be at least equal to the per capita Gross National Income (GNI) for the previous year, as announced by the Bank of Korea, or
• Your household assets must be at or above the median level.

On 5 March 2025, the Bank of Korea confirmed the 2024 per capita GNI at 49,955,000 Korean won (approximately 49.96 million won). This figure applies as the income standard for residency and visa matters from 1 April 2025 through 31 March 2026. In other words, if you apply before the end of March 2026, an annual income of approximately 49.96 million won will satisfy the basic income requirement.

The threshold amount changes every year. Always confirm the latest standard with the Immigration Contact Center (dial 1345) or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.

5. Basic Competency

You must demonstrate Korean language ability and an understanding of Korean society and culture. You can satisfy this requirement by submitting one of the following:

• A passing result on the Korea Immigration Permanent Residency Qualification Test (comprehensive assessment for permanent residency)
• A passing result on the Korea Immigration Naturalization Qualification Test (comprehensive assessment for naturalization)
• A KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program) completion certificate (permanent residency course or naturalization course)

Required Documents

All forms can be downloaded from HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) under “Application Forms.” If you have questions about how to fill them in, please refer to How to Complete and Submit the Integrated Application Form for Foreign Residents.

When You Cannot Submit a Passport

The passport requirement may be waived in the following cases (verified based on the statement of reason submitted at the time of your original status change or grant):

• You were unable to bring your passport when fleeing a threat to your life or physical safety.
• You do not have a passport for unavoidable reasons, such as being born in Korea.
• You entered Korea using a forged or altered passport.

Financial Documents

Submit income-related documents for the year before the year in which you are applying. If official tax documents cannot be issued for that year, documents from two years prior are also accepted.

• An official document confirming full tax payment, such as a tax clearance certificate or certificate of no tax delinquency
• An official income certificate (issued by a tax office or obtained online through Government24 (www.gov.kr)) or similar official document confirming income tax payment

How to Prove Your Residence

When applying to change your visa status, you must submit a document proving where you currently live. If you have moved recently, please review How to Report a Change of Residence Address for Foreigners beforehand.

If You Live in Your Own Home

• Property you own: A certified copy of the real estate register (available from the Internet Registry Office (www.iros.go.kr) or at a registry office)
• Property you rent: Your lease agreement

If You Live in Someone Else’s Home

• A residence or accommodation provision confirmation form (Korea Immigration Service form)
• A copy of the homeowner’s identification
• A certified copy of the real estate register for that property and a copy of the property contract

If the address on the homeowner’s identification matches the address of the accommodation they are providing, the certified copy of the register and the contract copy may be omitted.

If You Live in a Dormitory or Residential Facility

• Dormitory: A business registration certificate, certified copy of the real estate register, or lease agreement showing the dormitory address
• Refugee applicants, recognized refugees, or holders of humanitarian stay permission: A residency confirmation letter issued by a church, refugee support facility, human rights organization, UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency), or similar organization
• Hotel, Airbnb, guesthouse, or similar: A receipt for accommodation fees or another document confirming that you are staying at that facility

Other Accepted Documents

• Mail addressed to the foreign national showing notice of stay period expiry, or a utility bill payment notice
• If you share a household registration with a Korean spouse: a copy of the Korean spouse’s resident registration certificate
• If you live in a shelter or temporary protection facility: a confirmation of admission to that shelter
• If you are admitted to a medical institution or care facility: documents confirming your admission and care

Cases Where Permanent Residency May Be Restricted or Denied

Grounds for Restriction

• Persons considered likely to harm national security, public order, or the public welfare of Korea
• Persons who submitted false documents
• Persons whose overseas criminal record check results fall within the restricted category
• Persons who have received a fine or criminal penalty (separate standards apply)

Grounds for Denial

• Failure to meet the requirements
• Failure to submit supplementary documents within the requested period
• Failure to respond to two or more consecutive summons without valid reason
• Cases in which a final decision (confirmed judgment) is not issued within 90 days of the application date for any matter under investigation, inquiry, or trial for a legal violation (civil cases are excluded)
• Cases in which the applicant voluntarily withdraws the application
• Cases in which the applicant has acquired Korean citizenship or has passed away

How to Apply

1. Make an appointment: Book a visit to your local Korea Immigration Service office through HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr).
2. Visit in person: Go to your local Korea Immigration Service office on the scheduled date and submit your documents.
3. Pay the fees: Pay the immigration application fee (200,000 won) and the permanent residency card issuance fee (35,000 won). Fees are subject to change, so please confirm with 1345 before applying.

If your current stay period has less than six months remaining, please apply for an extension first and then apply to change to F-5 status.

All required forms can be downloaded from HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) under “Application Forms.”

Additional documents may be requested during the review process, and the final decision will be made after the review is complete. If you have any concerns, you can call the Immigration Contact Center (dial 1345, no area code needed) to receive guidance in Korean, English, and several other languages. As figures and deadlines are subject to change, always verify the latest information with 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.

Helpful Links

• HiKorea — Appointments and Application Forms
• Immigration Contact Center: Dial 1345 (no area code needed)
• Socinet — KIIP Registration
• KIIP Assessment Site — Comprehensive Assessment Registration
• Internet Registry Office — Real Estate Register Certificates
• Government24 — Income Certificates and Other Official Documents
• Korea Immigration Service — Civil Affairs Information