In cases where individuals with doctoral degrees in Korea apply for permanent residency, they usually choose between F-5-15 (General Field Doctor) and F-5-11 (Person with Special Ability in a Specific Field).
If eligible for both, there's a tendency to prefer F-5-11 over F-5-15.
F-5-11 is a points-based permanent residency granted to individuals with special abilities in specific fields, offering relaxed benefits not found in other residency qualifications such as exemption from income requirements (choice by points system), exemption from submitting a criminal background check from abroad, and exemption from basic aptitude requirements (choice by points system). However, meeting the score requirements as prescribed is not always straightforward unless already prepared.
Today, we will look into F-5-11 (Person with Special Ability in a Specific Field) that doctoral degree holders (researchers, professors, business people, etc.) can apply for.
Permanent Residency F-5-11 Person with Special Ability in a Specific Field
(Doctoral Degree Holders Professors/Researchers/Business People)
Target
- Individuals recognized by the Minister of Justice as having outstanding abilities in specific fields such as science, management, education, culture, arts, and sports.
Requirements for Good Conduct, Basic Aptitude, and Financial Stability
1. Good Conduct Requirement (exemption from submitting a foreign criminal record check)
2. Basic Aptitude Requirement (optional item by points system)
3. Financial Stability Requirement (exempt)
F-5-11 Person with Special Ability in a Specific Field Individual Requirements (Points System)
- Must meet at least one of the mandatory items listed in the score table below and the combined score of mandatory and optional items must meet one of the following
1. Mandatory items: Total 245 points
※ If multiple applicable single items exist, sum all, but if scores within the same item overlap, only the highest score is recognized.
※ If multiple applicable optional items exist, sum all, but if scores within the optional items overlap, only the highest score is recognized (however, bonus items are fully summed).
2. Optional items: Total 205 points
<Details of Optional Items>
1. Annual Income: Based on the Bank of Korea's announcement of the previous year's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, only the domestic income of the applicant (excluding accompanying family, etc.) is applicable.(Based on the 'Income Amount Certificate' issued by the head of the tax office)
2. Domestic Assets: Includes both movable and immovable properties owned by the applicant, net assets only (credit information services check for default status and debt).
3. Education: Includes both domestic and foreign degrees, only those already acquired (excluding anticipated acquisitions).
(Domestic degrees) Only degrees acquired after completing courses at schools recognized under the Higher Education Act are recognized.
(Foreign degrees) Only degrees acquired after completing courses at formal educational institutions equivalent to those recognized under the domestic Higher Education Act are recognized.
4. Basic Aptitude: Completion of the Ministry of Justice's social integration program or passing the comprehensive evaluation without completing the program.
5. Employment of Nationals: Bonus points awarded according to the number of nationals continuously employed as full-time (permanent employment form) for at least 6 months as of the application date.
6. Management Experience: Applicant has been an executive for at least 3 years, investing their own capital in a domestic business.
7. Recommendation Letter: Constitutional institution heads, ministers (level) of central government agencies, members of the National Assembly, heads of metropolitan autonomous entities.
※ The final decision on awarding bonus points is determined by the Minister of Justice.
8. Tax Payment Record: Average annual income tax payment of at least 4 million won over the two years prior to the application year.
9. Volunteer Service: Participation in volunteer activities at least 6 times a year and a total of 50 hours or more in the 1-3 years prior to the application, awarding 5 points, with a total annual cumulative score of up to 10 points maximum.
10. Study in Korea: Acquiring a bachelor's degree or higher after studying for 4 years or more at a domestic university.
※ Only recognized if studied under a study visa (D-2) at an eligible institution.
11.Work-Study Linked Study: Regular graduation from the degree program at the time of selection.
F-5-11 Permanent Residency Application Required Documents
1. Passport, integrated application form, foreign registration card, standard size photo
2. Basic information of the F-5 (permanent residency) qualification applicant (document prepared by the applying foreigner)
3. Proof of residence documents
- If renting: Lease contract
- If owned: Property registration certificate
- If provided by someone else: Proof of accommodation provision and a copy of the provider's ID card, and a lease contract or property registration certificate in the name of the provider
4. Tuberculosis test certificate (if applicable, valid for 3 months): Issued by a public health center or designated hospital by the Ministry of Justice
5. Guarantee letter and a copy of the guarantor's ID card
6. Proof of good conduct requirement (exemption from submitting a foreign criminal record check)
7. Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral degree certificate.
8. Tax payment certificate (proof of national and local tax payment)
9. Other documents proving points system criteria (examples)
- Awards or employment certificates in the relevant field
- Scientific papers index (SCI) or other research achievements
- Documents proving recognition in a specific field, such as science or management
- Recommendation letters, volunteer activity proof
- Proof of employment of nationals: List of insured employees, etc
- Basic aptitude: Social integration program completion certificate, stage confirmation, comprehensive evaluation pass certificate for permanent residency/naturalization
- Annual income: Income amount certificate for the previous year
- Domestic assets: Real estate registration certificate, real estate sale contract, lease contract, bank balance certificate (savings/deposit), etc.
