Living in Korea
Korea visa & residency, explained
Korea’s visa system looks complex, but most foreigners fall into four groups — work, study, business, and residence. Below is the map of the main categories and how they connect toward long-term residence.
Work
| E-9 | Non-professional employment (EPS) Manual/industrial work hired through the EPS system. |
| E-7 | Skilled & professional work Designated professional occupations; common route toward F-2. |
| H-2 | Working visit Ethnic Koreans from designated countries; broad work permission. |
Study
| D-2 | Degree student Enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program. |
| D-4 | Language / general trainee Korean-language institutes and non-degree training. |
Business & Invest
| D-8 | Corporate investment Executives/staff of a foreign-invested company in Korea. |
| D-10 | Job seeker / startup Job hunting or preparing a startup after graduating or ending work. |
Residence
| F-2 | Long-term residence (points) Points-based F-2-7 (income, education, Korean ability, age…). |
| F-5 | Permanent residence Long-term stable residence with the widest rights. |
| F-6 | Marriage migrant Spouse of a Korean national; direct path toward F-5. |
Moving toward long-term residence
- Work route: E-7 → F-2 (points) → F-5.
- Study route: D-2 → E-7 → F-2 → F-5.
- Marriage route: F-6 → F-5.
Overview only, not legal advice. Always confirm current rules on HiKorea / 법무부 (Korea Immigration) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main Korean visa types for foreigners?▾
They fall into four groups: work (E-9 for EPS labor, E-7 for skilled/professional roles), study (D-2 degree, D-4 language), business (D-8 corporate investment, D-10 job seeker/startup) and residence (F-2 long-term, F-5 permanent, F-6 marriage).
How can a foreigner get permanent residence (F-5) in Korea?▾
Common routes are E-7 → F-2 (points-based) → F-5 for workers, and F-6 → F-5 for spouses of Korean nationals. Each step has income, residence-period and other requirements.
What is the F-2-7 points visa?▾
A long-term residence visa scored on factors such as income, education, Korean-language ability and age. Reaching the points threshold qualifies you for the F-2 residence status.
Can I work in Korea on a student visa?▾
D-2 students may work part-time within permitted hours after getting permission. Full-time employment requires an appropriate work visa such as E-7.
Which visa lets me start a business in Korea?▾
D-8 is for staff/investors of a foreign-invested company, while D-10 covers job-seeking and startup preparation. Confirm capital and documentation requirements on HiKorea before applying.