2022-12-22BY Immikorea
F-5-15 Permanent Residency: Ph.D. holders in Korea
F-5-15 permanent residency is a person who has completed regular courses at a graduate school in Korea and has obtained a doctoral degree, and who has been working for a domestic company for more than one year can apply.
F-5-15 Permanent Residence Application Conditions
- Those who have obtained a doctoral degree in Korea (regardless of major field)
- Those who have only obtained a degree without studying abroad (D2 visa) are not allowed
- Excluding graduates
- Continued full-time employment with a domestic company for at least one year.
- If you changed jobs within a year, recognize continuity if the break in service was 30 days or less
F-5-15 Benefits of Permanent Residence
- Exemption from submitting a certificate of completion for the Social Integration Program (KIIP)
- Exemption from submission of criminal record certificate
- Income requirement is GNI or higher (more than 415 million won when proven by assets)
- Spouses and minor children residing in Korea can change to F2-3 visa (can be changed to F5-4 visa after 2 years)
Considerations when applying for F-5-15 permanent residency
To apply for an F-5-15 visa, you must provide verification of full-time employment.
It’s easy to get a full-time job verification letter from a regular or small business, but it’s harder to get a full-time job verification letter from a university or large company.
Many of the F-5-15 visa applicants are E3 visa holders, who are unable to apply because they are contractors. Resolving this issue is key to applying for a green card.
E-3 visa holders are encouraged to apply for the F-2-7 visa first.
F-5-15 Documents to be submitted when applying for permanent residency
- A copy of doctoral degree certificate *Additional transcripts, etc. may be requested if necessary
- Copy of business registration certificate, certificate of employment
- Membership rosters from the four major insurance carriers, employment contracts, and full-time employment verification.
- Identity guarantee
- Applicant basic information
- Documents proving the place of residence
- Add personalized documentation