Overseas Korean (F-4, 재외동포) & Permanent Residence (F-5, 영주) in Korea: 2026 document checklist
A step-by-step guide to obtaining, changing, and extending F-4, and to upgrading from F-4 to permanent residence (F-5) — with required documents, fees, and where to apply.
The Overseas Korean (F-4, 재외동포) status is for foreign nationals of Korean heritage (외국국적동포) — people who once held Korean nationality and then acquired a foreign nationality, or their lineal descendants. Permanent residence (F-5, 영주) is the permanent-residence status, and the most common route for ethnic Koreans is to change from F-4 (거소증) to F-5.
Important note: F-4 (and H-2) are not available to ordinary Vietnamese nationals; this checklist is relevant for applicants of Korean heritage who hold a foreign nationality, which mainly concerns the Chinese, Russian, and other overseas-Korean audiences. This page summarizes the required documents, fees, and where to submit, based on official information from HiKorea, the Korean Immigration Act (출입국관리법), and the immigration authority's guidance manual. Requirements can vary by office, so verify with HiKorea or call the 1345 hotline before you file. Plan ahead and prepare your documents early, because the offices may ask for additional proof of nationality history, relationship, residence, or means of livelihood depending on your category and personal circumstances, and several items — such as foreign criminal-record certificates and income documents — must be recent and, where required, translated and notarized.
Steps
1Identify your category and prepare documents
Identify which category applies: a new F-4 (grant 부여 / change 변경), an F-4 extension (연장), or a change from F-4 to permanent residence (F-5, 영주). Assemble the core document group (통합신청서, 여권, a 3.5×4.5 cm photo, 체류지 입증서류) together with the documents specific to your category. Download the application form (통합신청서, 별지 제34호서식) for free from hikorea.go.kr.
2Prepare criminal-record and supporting documents
For F-4, prepare a foreign criminal-record certificate (해외 범죄경력증명서) issued within three months, with a notarized translation; some categories are exempt. For F-5, prepare a domestic criminal-record certificate (국내 범죄경력증명서), an immigration-history certificate, and documents proving your means of livelihood (생계유지능력).
3Book a HiKorea appointment
Book an appointment in advance through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr → "방문예약"). F-4 extensions and address changes can be filed online via "전자민원"; F-5 must be filed in person and cannot be filed online.
4Pay the fee
Pay the review fee: F-4 grant (부여) ₩80,000, change to F-4 (변경) ₩100,000, change to permanent residence (F-5, 영주) ₩200,000; issue or reissue of a 거소증 or 영주증 card is ₩35,000.
5Receive the result
Processing usually takes about 1–2 weeks for F-4 and about 3–6 months for F-5. The result is recorded in your status of stay and on your residence card (거소증 / 영주증). Some offices may require in-person biometric confirmation.
Documents to prepare
F-4 (재외동포) — new grant / status change
- 통합신청서 — 별지 제34호서식 — Integrated application formOriginal, fully completed; free download from hikorea.go.kr
- 여권 — Valid passportOriginal
- 사진 (3.5 × 4.5 cm) — ID photoOne photo, white background, taken within the last 6 months
- 가족관계증명서 또는 제적등본 — Family relationship certificate or removed family registerProof of former Korean nationality
- 직계존비속 관계 증명서류 — Proof of lineal ascendant/descendant relationshipFor lineal descendants (직계비속); birth certificate / notarized family tree
- 외국국적 취득 원인 및 연월일 증명서류 — Proof of foreign-nationality acquisition and its dateNotarized translation if required
- 체류지 입증서류 — Proof of residenceLease contract or resident registration
- 해외 범죄경력증명서 — Foreign criminal-record certificateIssued within 3 months, original + notarized translation; exempt for those aged 60+, 13 and under, and certain categories
F-4 (재외동포) — extension of stay
- 통합신청서 — Integrated application formOriginal
- 여권 — PassportOriginal
- 국내거소신고증 — Domestic residence report card (거소증)If you have registered your residence (거소신고)
- 체류지 입증서류 — Proof of current residenceLease contract or resident registration
- 가족관계증명서 또는 제적등본 — Family relationship certificate or removed family registerOnly for the first extension since 2005-12-29
- 병역 관련 서류 — Proof of no military-service evasionFor men aged 18–38 on first extension after 2005-12-29
F-5 (영주) — change from F-4 (identity, residence, livelihood)
- 통합신청서 — 별지 제34호서식 — Integrated application formOriginal
- 여권 — Passport valid for 6+ monthsOriginal
- 국내거소신고증 — 거소증 (domestic residence report card)Original; collected at intake
- 사진 (3.5 × 4.5 cm) — ID photoWhite background, taken within 6 months, different from the photo on the current card
- 가족관계증명서 (상세) — Family relationship certificate (detailed)Plus 주민등록등본 (resident registration)
- 출입국에 관한 사실증명원 — Immigration-history certificateProof of 2+ years' continuous residence on F-4
- 소득금액증명원 / 재직증명서 — Income certificate / certificate of employment (생계유지능력)Income option: most recent year; or property tax / net assets / investment / pension
- 국내 범죄경력증명서 — Domestic criminal-record certificatePolice or immigration office; foreign criminal-record exempt if filed at F-4 application
- 신원보증서 / 외국인 직업 신고서 — Letter of guarantee / foreign-resident occupation reportPlus the permanent-residence applicant basic-information form
Fees
- F-4 grant (체류자격 부여)₩80,000
- Change to F-4 (체류자격 변경)₩100,000
- 거소증 issue / reissue₩35,000
- Change to permanent residence F-5 (영주 자격 변경)₩200,000
- 영주증 issue / reissue (every 10 years)₩35,000
Where & how to submit
Apply at the local immigration office with jurisdiction over your residence (관할 출입국·외국인청 / 사무소 / 출장소). An advance appointment booked through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr → "방문예약") is required. F-4 extensions and address changes can be filed online via "전자민원" (intake Mon–Fri 07:00–22:00 KST); F-5 must be filed in person. Filing through an authorized administrative agent (행정사 대리) is allowed, but you may still be asked to appear in person for biometric confirmation. A 24/7 hotline in 20 languages is available at 1345.
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Get the free checklistFrequently asked questions
Is F-4 available to Vietnamese nationals?
No. F-4 (and H-2) are not available to ordinary Vietnamese nationals; they apply only to people of Korean heritage (외국국적동포) holding a foreign nationality.
Who is eligible to change from F-4 to F-5?
Holders of F-4 (거소증) who have resided continuously in Korea for 2 or more years, meet at least one means-of-livelihood (생계유지능력) criterion, and have no serious criminal record or immigration violations.
What is the income threshold for general permanent residence (F-5-1)?
General permanent residence F-5-1 requires income of at least 2× the prior-year average per-capita GNI. GNI 2025 = ₩52,416,000 (한국은행, published March 2026), which puts the threshold at about ₩104.8 million. Because the figure is updated, check the applicable 법무부고시. Exception: a medical resident (E-5) applying for F-5-1 needs only 1× GNI.
Must I resubmit the foreign criminal-record certificate for F-5?
It is exempt if you submitted it when applying for F-4 and have not been abroad continuously for 6+ months since then. The domestic criminal-record certificate (국내 범죄경력증명서) is still required.
Does F-5 require KIIP?
The F-4 → F-5 route is exempt from the KIIP requirement in many cases (former Korean nationality, 3+ years' residence on F-4, age 60+, age 13 or under, or prior submission of Korean-language proof). If not exempt, submit a KIIP Level 5 completion certificate or a Comprehensive Evaluation for Permanent Residence (영주용 종합평가) result of 60/100 or higher.
How long does processing take?
F-4 usually takes about 1–2 weeks; F-5 usually takes about 3–6 months. Timing can vary by office and the complexity of the case.