The door to Permanent Residence (영주) (F-5) — Different doors open for each visa status
This page is machine translated from Ieumi's guide written in Korean. If the meaning is confusing, please look at the Korean original text. View original text (Korean)
Permanent Residence Status (영주자격) is divided into several categories, not just one. The open door depends on your current visa status. First, check which door opens for your visa status.
📌 Key points
Some people must go through permanent residence, while others can skip it. General Naturalization (일반귀화) requires getting Permanent Residence Status (영주자격) first (Article 5, Item 1-2 of the Nationality Act (국적법)). However, Simplified Naturalization (간이귀화) and Special Naturalization (특별귀화) are exempt from this requirement (Articles 6 and 7). Marriage immigrants, overseas Koreans, and persons of special merit can skip permanent residence and apply directly for naturalization.
⚠️ Things to watch out for
Income or wage amounts are not written in the law. The attached table only states 'an amount determined by the Minister of Justice', and the actual numbers are in internal guidelines. You must check the exact amounts with 1345 or your local immigration office — do not trust numbers on the internet.
❗ What happens if you don't
If there is no open door for your current visa status, you must first change to a visa status that opens a door.
See also
Basis
- 출입국관리법 시행령 [별표 1의3] 영주자격에 부합하는 사람(제12조의2제1항 관련), 개정 2023-12-12 — 색인 대조 2026-08-28
- 국적법 제5조(일반귀화 요건) 1의2 · 제6조① · 제7조① — 색인 대조 2026-08-28 (법제처 — 현행 판(시행 2022-10-01 그대로) 2026-10-05 대조)
This content was checked on 2026-10-03.