When do you lose F-5 permanent resident status, and what must you do to keep it?

You can lose F-5 status if a ground for cancellation applies, or if you stay overseas too long without permission. So the most important things are not committing crimes and managing your time abroad.

Cases where permanent resident status can be cancelled

• If you got permanent resident status with false documents or by improper means: In this case, it is always cancelled. This also includes submitting a withholding tax receipt (원천징수영수증) with an amount that differs from your income certificate (소득금액증명).
• If you were given a final sentence of 2 years or more in prison, with or without labor, for breaking laws such as the Criminal Act, sexual violence laws, drug laws, or violence laws
• If your prison sentences in the last 5 years add up to 3 years or more
• If you acted against the interests of the Republic of Korea in areas such as national security, foreign relations, or the national economy

If you are subject to cancellation, the immigration office will contact you at least 7 days before the date you must appear. If you do not appear, your status may be cancelled as it is. After cancellation, you may receive a departure order or deportation, depending on the case.

Do these things to keep your status

• Manage your time abroad. With F-5, you do not need a re-entry permit if you return within 2 years of the day you left. If you plan to stay away for more than 2 years, get a re-entry permit before you leave. If you go past the period without a permit, you usually lose your permanent resident status.
• If you move, report your change of residence within 15 days of moving to your new address. You can do this at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or a community center (주민센터). It is free.
• Check the expiry date of your permanent resident card and get it reissued before it ends. This is usually done every 10 years.
• Obey the law. Even small criminal penalties can add up and become risky.

💡 If you have already lost it

If you have a base of life in Korea, you may be given a change to another stay status, depending on your situation. For example, if 5 years have passed since you got permanent residence, if you have lived in Korea for more than 8 years, or if you are raising a minor child you had with a Korean citizen. If no status fits, you can get temporary residence (F-2-9). It is for up to 1 year at a time, and up to 2 years in total. In this situation, try the Kevi administrative agent consultation in the Visa Service section of the app.

Check the exact criteria once more with HiKorea or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).