Overseas Korean Successfully Upgraded from F-4 Visa to F-5-6 Permanent Residency -

Among the most sought-after status options for overseas Koreans seeking stable,

long-term residence in Korea is the F-5 (Overseas Korean Permanent Residency).

‍

Today, we are sharing the story of Mr. Kim, a U.S. citizen of Korean descent,

who successfully transitioned from an F-4 visa to F-5 permanent residency with the support of HanGuk Visa.

His process took around seven months from start to finish.

‍

Why F-5 Permanent Residency Matters for Overseas Koreans

‍

[Client Background]

✔ Nationality: United States
✔ Status: Overseas Korean, residing in Seoul, employed at a Korean company
✔ Previous Visa: F-4 (Overseas Korean Visa)
✔ Request: Transition to F-5 permanent residency for long-term stability

‍

In mid-May 2024, Mr. Kim came across HanGuk Visa’s YouTube video on permanent residency and reached out via email to request a consultation.

He shared that the video resonated with him, as the importance of permanent residency directly applied to his own situation.

‍

Mr. Kim, a U.S. citizen of Korean descent, was living in Seoul at the time and working for a Korean company.

Until then, he had been residing in Korea under an F-4 visa,

but he wished to transition to a more stable F-5 permanent residency to resolve the inconvenience of visa renewals and the uncertainty of his stay status.

‍

The F-4 visa is relatively easy to obtain, but it requires renewal every 2–3 years.

If the renewal schedule is missed due to timing or personal circumstances, the applicant may have to start the process all over again.

For Mr. Kim, who was employed long-term in Korea, the F-5 permanent residency offered a much more secure and stable option.

‍

The Core of Permanent Residency: Eligibility & Documentation

‍

The F-5 permanent residency application hinges on two factors:

Meeting eligibility criteria

Preparing thorough documentation

In Mr. Kim’s case, his income in Korea exceeded 1x GNI (Gross National Income),

which satisfied the financial eligibility requirement. Therefore, the main focus was on income-related documents such as the Income Statement Certificate (소득금액증명원).

‍

✅ Documents Prepared by the Client

- Basic ID documents (passport, Alien Registration Card, etc.)

- Income-related proof (Income Statement Certificate)

‍

✅ Documents Prepared by HanGuk Visa

- FBI-issued Criminal Background Check with Apostille authentication (delegated service)

- Full application form preparation & review

- Submission to Immigration Office & process monitoring

The FBI Criminal Background Check with Apostille is often the most burdensome step for applicants,

as it is time-consuming and complicated when handled independently. By delegating this process to HanGuk Visa, Mr. Kim minimized stress and delays.

‍

Streamlined Process – Just One Office Visit

‍

Mr. Kim only needed one in-person visit to our Gwanghwamun office for contract signing.

All other steps—document review, application submission, schedule management, and progress monitoring—were handled entirely by HanGuk Visa.

‍

✅ Key Timeline & Duration

✔May 2024: Consultation request via email → Over 80% of required documents prepared in advance

✔May 2024 (same day): Office visit → Remaining documents finalized & signed (completed within 1 hour)

✔June 2024: Application submitted at Seoul Immigration Office (via administrative agent)

✔June 2024 – Jan 2025: Application under review (approx. 7 months)

✔Feb 2025: Final approval & permanent residency issued

‍

‍

Because Mr. Kim was proactive in preparing most documents beforehand,

the initial preparation process was exceptionally efficient.

‍

After submission, the Immigration Office’s review process lasted about seven months,

consistent with the typical 6–8 month review period for F-5 applications.

‍

[Service Summary]

✅ Service Name: Representation for Overseas Korean F-5 Permanent Residency Application
✅ Service Fee: KRW 500,000 (excluding FBI background check issuance & U.S. Apostille costs)
✅ Processing Time: Approx. 7 months

‍

[Who Is This Service For?]

✅ Overseas Koreans seeking long-term stability by upgrading from F-4 to F-5
✅ Those wishing to avoid the inconvenience of frequent visa renewals
✅ Applicants who prefer expert handling of complex steps like FBI background checks & Apostille

‍

Mr. Kim shared:

“I thought the permanent residency process would be overwhelming,

but HanGuk Visa handled everything from start to finish with great care. I was amazed at how smoothly the entire process went.”

‍

He expressed particular satisfaction with not having to visit the Immigration Office in person

and being able to delegate even the FBI background check process.

Considering Applying for F-5-6 Permanent Residency?

‍

Applying for an F-5 visa is not simply about submitting a few documents. It requires careful eligibility review, precise documentation, and strict timeline management.