1. What Is Points-Based Permanent Residence (F-5-16)
Points-Based Permanent Residence (F-5-16) is a permanent residence type that a foreign national who has settled in Korea on the Points-Based Skilled Talent Residence status (F-2-7) converts to when they have maintained that F-2-7 status continuously for 3 or more years and have met the income and absence-of-disqualifying-grounds requirements.
Important — a common misconception. Because of its name, F-5-16 is easily mistaken as "points being scored at the permanent-residence application," but at the F-5-16 stage points are not evaluated again. The points evaluation takes place when you obtain the prior Residence F-2-7 status, and it is called "Points-Based Permanent Residence" precisely because you went through that points-based path.
In other words, the core of F-5-16 is not "earning points again," but whether you stably maintained Points-Based Residence (F-2-7) for 3 or more years + whether you meet the income and disqualification requirements.
2. At a Glance — Path & Code Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Prior stage (Residence) | F-2-7 (Points-Based Skilled Talent Residence) — the points evaluation is at this stage |
| Permanent residence status | F-5-16 (Points-Based Permanent Resident) — no re-scoring of points |
| Residence requirement | Continuous stay on F-2-7 from 3 years before the application date up to the application date |
| Income requirement | Twice (2×) or more the previous year's per-capita GNI (based on the Bank of Korea announcement) |
| Disqualifying grounds | No violation of public order, such as engaging in entertainment service businesses |
| Family permanent residence | Spouse & minor children = F-5-18 |
3. F-2-7 Residence → F-5-16 Permanent Residence Path
- Residence F-2-7 — obtain Points-Based Skilled Talent Residence status (points evaluated here)
- Stay continuously for 3 or more years on Points-Based Residence (maintained without interruption)
- Meet the income and absence-of-disqualifying-grounds requirements
- Permanent Residence F-5-16 — convert to Points-Based Permanent Residence (no re-scoring of points)
Maintaining F-2-7 "without interruption" for 3 years is the key. If the status is severed in the interim, you may fail to meet the continuous-stay requirement.
4. Core Requirements
- Continuous F-2-7 stay (3 years) — continuous stay on Points-Based Residence (F-2-7) from 3 years before the application date up to the application date
- Income requirement — income of twice (2×) or more the previous year's per-capita GNI (Gross National Income) (based on the Bank of Korea announcement). In addition to income, assets and other means of livelihood may be reviewed together
- No disqualifying grounds — no violation of public order such as engaging in entertainment service businesses, and no grounds for ineligibility under the Immigration Act
- Basic permanent residence requirements — the common permanent residence requirements set by the competent authority (identity, conduct, etc.)
Notice on standard changes. The GNI amount used for the income standard changes each year by announcement, and the detailed requirements may be amended. You should check the latest standards before applying.
5. Where Are Points Evaluated? — The F-2-7 Stage
The points evaluation, which is the core of the "Points-Based" name, takes place when you obtain Residence F-2-7. That is, you earn points to obtain F-2-7, and then, once you maintain F-2-7 for 3 or more years, you move on to F-5-16. Points are not recalculated at F-5-16 itself.
The F-2-7 points items are generally age, education, Korean language ability (TOPIK / Social Integration Program, etc.), income, work experience, and so on; the scores and passing thresholds are set by Ministry of Justice standards and may be amended. For the detailed points items and scores, please refer to the F-2-7 guide below.
👉 F-2-7 Points-Based Residence Guide · Improving Your F-2-7 Score
6. Comparison With Other Permanent Residence Types
| PR Code | Nature | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| F-5-16 | Points-Based PR | 3 years' continuous F-2-7 stay + income & disqualification (no re-scoring of points) |
| F-5-1 | Ordinary PR | Ordinary requirements with 5 or more years of stay |
| F-5-5 | High-Value Investor PR | USD 500,000+ investment + employment of 5+ nationals |
| F-5-21 | Public-Interest Investment PR | Public-interest investment product (5+ years on F-2-12 residence) |
The advantageous track differs depending on your own residence history. If you are already settling on Points-Based Residence (F-2-7), the F-5-16 path is the natural one.
7. Required Documents Checklist
- ☐ Integrated application form, passport, standard-format photo
- ☐ Documents confirming Points-Based Residence (F-2-7) stay history (proof of 3 years' continuous stay)
- ☐ Income proof documents (withholding tax receipt, certificate of income amount, etc.) — proof of twice or more the previous year's per-capita GNI
- ☐ Documents proving family relationship (when accompanied by spouse/children)
- ☐ Documents confirming disqualifying grounds (if applicable)
8. Application Procedure
- Confirm requirements — check 3 years' continuous F-2-7 stay, income (GNI standard by number of family members), and disqualifying grounds
- Prepare documents — secure proof of stay history, income, and family relationships
- Apply at the competent Immigration Office — apply for change of residence status (permanent residence)
- Screening & approval — permanent residence (F-5-16) granted after review of requirements
9. Points to Note
- Beware of the misconception — F-5-16 does not re-score points at the permanent-residence application. Points are evaluated at the F-2-7 stage.
- Break in F-2-7 — since 3 years' continuous stay is the key, if the status is severed in the interim it becomes difficult to meet the requirement.
- Failure to meet income — if you cannot meet the standard of twice or more the previous year's per-capita GNI, the application may be rejected.
- Disqualifying grounds — a history of public-order violations, such as engaging in entertainment service businesses, may be a ground for denial.
- Standard changes — the GNI amount and detailed requirements may be amended by announcement, so checking the latest standards is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What kind of permanent residence status is F-5-16?
A. F-5-16 is the "Points-Based Permanent Resident" status — a permanent residence type that a person who has stayed on Points-Based Residence (F-2-7) continuously for 3 or more years converts to once they meet the income and absence-of-disqualifying-grounds requirements.
Q. Are points scored when applying for F-5-16?
A. No. At the F-5-16 stage points are not evaluated again. The points evaluation (age, education, income, Korean language, etc.) takes place when you obtain the prior Residence F-2-7 status. F-5-16 looks at whether you have maintained that F-2-7 for 3 or more years and meet the income and disqualification requirements. The name "Points-Based" comes from the fact that the prior stage (F-2-7) is points-based.
Q. How long a period of residence is required?
A. You must have been staying continuously on Points-Based Residence (F-2-7) from 3 years before the permanent-residence application date up to the application date. If your F-2-7 status is broken in the interim, it becomes difficult to meet the requirement.
Q. What is the income requirement?
A. The standard is income of twice (2×) or more the previous year's per-capita GNI (Gross National Income). Because the GNI amount is announced annually by the Bank of Korea, you must check the figure applicable at the time of application. In addition to income, assets and other means of livelihood may be reviewed together.
Q. Is F-5-16 different from ordinary permanent residence (F-5-1)?
A. F-5-1 is for ordinary permanent residents with 5 or more years of stay, while F-5-16 is permanent residence via the Points-Based Residence (F-2-7) path — the basis and requirements differ. You should choose the type that matches your own residence history.
Q. Do family members also become permanent residents?
A. The spouse and minor children of a Points-Based Permanent Resident (F-5-16) are classified separately as F-5-18. Documents proving the family relationship are additionally required.