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Diamond City Weekly

F-2-7 Points Calculator: Estimate Your Score for Korea's Points-Based Residence

Published

Estimate your score

Scoring table as of August 2026· verify against the current notice

STEM degrees, and holders of two or more degrees at the same level, score higher.

TOPIK level or completed KIIP stage, whichever is higher.

Income carries the most weight of any single item.

Additional points
Deductions

Estimated score

23 points

Threshold
80 points
Base items
23
Additional items
0
Age — 51 and over
3 / 25
Highest degree — Associate (other fields)
10 / 25
Korean proficiency — None
0 / 20
Annual income — Minimum wage – under 30M KRW
10 / 60
Estimated total
23 / 170

This estimate is 57 point(s) below the published threshold of 80. Korean proficiency and additional items are usually the fastest categories to improve.

Your selections stay in your browser and are never sent to a server. This is an estimate of the published point allocation, not an eligibility decision. Only the Korea Immigration Service can determine whether an application qualifies.

What this estimator does

The calculator above applies the published F-2-7 point structure to the selections you make and totals the result. It exists to answer one question quickly: how far am I from the threshold, and which category closes the gap fastest?

It does not assess eligibility. Points are a screening mechanism; the application itself is reviewed on documents, status history and compliance record.

How the score is built

Points come from two groups.

Base items are age band, highest degree, Korean proficiency and annual income. Income is scored in bands and carries the largest share of the total — more than age and education combined. Degrees in science and engineering fields, and holding more than one degree at the same level, score higher than other fields at the same level.

Additional items are discretionary credits — a degree from a designated or Korean university, completion of KIIP stage 5, a recommendation from a central government agency, and volunteer service records. These are capped in total, so stacking every one of them does not add without limit.

Deductions are subtracted afterwards. Immigration penalties and criminal fines both reduce the score, in bands that grow with the amount.

Reading your result

Two patterns show up repeatedly.

Just below the threshold. The gap is usually closed by Korean proficiency or by the additional items. Moving up a TOPIK level, or completing KIIP stage 5, is worth points on a known timeline. Volunteer service records are the other common route, and they accumulate with time rather than study.

Well above the threshold. A comfortable margin is useful, because the threshold and the item weights are revised periodically. A score that clears by a wide margin is less exposed to a mid-preparation rule change than one that clears by two points.

What the score does not cover

The following are assessed separately and can prevent approval regardless of points:

  • Unpaid taxes, national pension or health insurance contributions
  • A criminal record or prior immigration violations
  • An ineligible current status of stay
  • Incomplete or inconsistent supporting documents

Payment history is worth checking early. Arrears that accumulated years ago can surface at the review stage and take time to resolve.

Before you apply

  • Confirm the current scoring notice — item weights and the threshold both change.
  • Check the current income bands — they are revised and carry the most weight.
  • Gather evidence for every item you claimed, including additional items.
  • Verify that your present status is an eligible base for the application.

The estimator is a planning aid. The authoritative answer comes from the immigration office reviewing your file.

Frequently asked questions

Does hitting 80 points mean I get F-2-7?

No. The score is a screening threshold, not a decision. The immigration office also reviews your current status, documents, tax and social insurance payment history, and any immigration or criminal record. A qualifying score with unpaid taxes or a violation record does not result in approval.

Which category is easiest to improve?

For most applicants it is Korean proficiency and the additional items. TOPIK levels and KIIP stage completion are both achievable within a defined study period, while age and education are fixed. Additional items such as volunteer service records also accumulate over time.

Which category is worth the most?

Annual income. It is scored in bands and is worth more than age and education combined, which is why applicants with a solid salary often clear the threshold without a high TOPIK level. Confirm the current bands before relying on an estimate — they are revised periodically.

Do I need to hold a specific status before applying?

F-2-7 applications are made from an existing eligible status, and which statuses qualify is set by the immigration notice in force at the time. Confirm your current status is an eligible base before preparing documents.

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