There are 181 foreign nationals living in Jecheon with permanent residence (F-5) status (as of the end of June 2026). Permanent residents do not need to extend their period of stay, but if you miss a few rules, you may lose your status or have to pay a fine.
To keep your permanent residence
- Reissue your permanent residence card every 10 years: the card is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. If you do not have it reissued within that period, you may be fined. You must apply for reissuance yourself.
- Do not stay abroad for more than 2 years: if you return within 2 years of the date you left, you do not need a re-entry permit. If you stay away for more than 2 years, you may lose your permanent residence status, so if you need to be away for a long time, get a re-entry permit before you leave.
- Reports within 15 days: if your registered details change, such as when you move (change of address), get a new passport or change nationality, report it within 15 days.
- Be careful about criminal records: if you are sentenced to imprisonment (with or without labor) for a certain period or longer, your permanent residence status may be canceled.
The path to permanent residence for Jecheon residents
| Current status | When you can apply for permanent residence | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage migrant (F-6) | After 2 years or more of stay in Korea | Ability to support yourself, basic knowledge (Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP), etc.) |
| Overseas Korean (F-4) | After 2 years or more of stay | Income at or above GNI (70% for strong Korean speakers, 80% for volunteering, 60% for both) |
| Region-specific outstanding talent (F-2-R) | After the period of the residence condition has passed | General permanent residence requirements (check the guidelines in effect when you apply) |
For marriage migrants, the income requirement is reduced if you are raising children, and the basic knowledge requirement is also relaxed depending on your KIIP level. For ethnic Koreans, the income requirement was lowered from February 2026 for those who speak Korean well or have done a lot of volunteer work.
Start KIIP early
Completing the KIIP is accepted as meeting the basic knowledge requirement for permanent residence. In July 2026, the Ministry of Justice set out a direction to change the KIIP into courses tailored to each type of stay and to make completion mandatory for long-term foreign residents. If you are thinking about permanent residence, it is a good idea to start moving up the levels now.
Jecheon Bareun Visa can help
- From marriage migrant, Overseas Korean or residence status: review of the requirements for changing to permanent residence (F-5) and applications on your behalf
- Checking in advance whether your income, asset and basic knowledge documents meet the requirements
- Guidance on the documents to prepare for reissuing your permanent residence card (you must apply yourself)
- Reports such as change of address, and consultation on re-entry permits before a long stay abroad
Applying for permanent residence involves many documents, and the requirements differ for each detailed status. Before you apply, we first review the requirements and tell you honestly about your chances. Please contact us via Book a visit or Ask a question.
Related article: For those preparing for permanent residency or naturalization: what changed in 2026
Sources
- Ministry of Justice implements the merger of statuses of stay for ethnic Koreans into F-4 — Ministry of Justice press release, 12 Feb 2026. (relaxed income requirements for permanent residence for ethnic Koreans)
- Ministry of Justice moves to extend the period of stay for home-country family of marriage migrants and lay the groundwork for supporting children and youth with migrant backgrounds — Ministry of Justice press release, 18 Sep 2026. (permanent residence and nationality for marriage migrants after 2 years)
- Ministry of Justice sets the reform direction for the Korea Immigration and Integration Program… gathers on-site opinions from heads of operating institutions — Ministry of Justice press release, 12 Jul 2026.
- Ministry of Justice Immigration and Foreign Policy Monthly Statistics, June 2026 (법무부 출입국·외국인정책 통계월보)
The information above is as of the date of the Ministry of Justice press release. Actual requirements must be checked against the laws and guidelines in effect when you apply. If you have any questions, please leave them via Ask a question.