Guide · as of 2026-08-16
TOPIK and KIIP Levels Mapped to Korean Visa Benefits
Korean-language credentials are immigration currency. The same TOPIK certificate is worth 3–20 points on the F-2-7 residency test, 50–120 points on the E-7-4 skilled-worker test, a full points-test exemption on D-10, up to 20 extra weekly work hours on D-2, and the entry ticket to an F-6 marriage visa. KIIP (사회통합프로그램) stages substitute for TOPIK levels almost everywhere. The map, each row from the official source named in its section:
| Level | What it unlocks |
|---|---|
| TOPIK 1 / KIIP 1 | F-2-7: 3 pts. F-6 language requirement met (TOPIK 1+) |
| TOPIK 2 / KIIP 2 | F-2-7: 5 pts. E-7-4: 50 pts (the minimum Korean score) |
| TOPIK 3 / KIIP 3 | F-2-7: 10 pts. E-7-4: 80 pts. D-2 undergrad years 1–2 (and associate): 25h/week instead of 10 |
| TOPIK 4 / KIIP 4 | F-2-7: 15 pts. E-7-4: 120 pts (max). D-10 points-test exemption. D-2 years 3–4 and graduate tiers |
| TOPIK 5+ / KIIP 5 | F-2-7: 20 pts (max). D-2: superior-Korean +5h bonus tier (see below). KIIP 5 completion: +10 F-2-7 bonus, naturalization track |
F-2-7 points (기본소양, max 20 of 170; pass mark 80)
From the MOJ 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, 2026-07-31 edition (our extracted reference table, effective 2026-04-14):
- TOPIK 5급 이상 / KIIP 5단계: 20 points
- TOPIK 4급 / KIIP 4단계: 15 points
- TOPIK 3급 / KIIP 3단계: 10 points
- TOPIK 2급 / KIIP 2단계: 5 points
- TOPIK 1급 / KIIP 1단계: 3 points
Separately, completing the KIIP stage-5 basic course or higher adds a +10 bonus (bonus cap 40). And an E-7-S holder with 1+ year of stay is exempted from the F-2-7 points test entirely with KIIP stage 3 or higher plus the E-7-S2 score. Run your own total at /tools/f-2-7-calculator.
E-7-4 skilled worker (K-point E74)
From the K-point E74 score table in 중소벤처기업부 공고 제2026-52호 (2026-01-30), which reprints the MOJ table: Korean ability is one of three basic items (with income and age) and one of the two carrying a mandatory 50-point floor, max 120 points:
- TOPIK 2급 / KIIP 2단계 이수 / KIIP 사전평가 41–60: 50 points
- TOPIK 3급 / KIIP 3단계 / 사전평가 61–80: 80 points
- TOPIK 4급 이상 / KIIP 4단계 이상 / 사전평가 81+: 120 points
Both income and Korean must score at least 50, and the total must reach 200 (of 300 base, bonuses countable). Special rule: applicants at 150+ points without the Korean minimum could defer it until first extension, but only through 2026-12-31.
D-10 job seeker: TOPIK 4 = no points test
A Korean-university graduate within 3 years of graduation holding TOPIK 4 or higher (or a passed KIIP stage-4 midterm evaluation) is exempt from the D-10 points table; a first D-2→D-10 change is exempt outright since 2025-10-29. Details in /guides/d-10-after-graduation.
D-2/D-4 part-time work hours
Per the MOJ manual (2026-07-09 edition) as republished by 법제처 생활법령정보, tiers effective 2023-07. Requirement: associate degree and undergrad years 1–2 need TOPIK 3 (KIIP stage 3 or 사전평가 61+, 세종학당 중급1); undergrad years 3–4 need TOPIK 4 (KIIP 4 or 사전평가 81+, 세종학당 중급2); graduate students TOPIK 4 (unverified: graduate-row criterion inferred from the merged official table cell).
| Status | Requirement not met | Met (weekday) | Certified school / top grades + superior Korean | Weekends & vacations if met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate, bachelor’s | 10h/week | 25h | 30h | unlimited |
| Master’s, doctoral | 15h/week | 30h | 35h | unlimited |
The +5h column mirrors the manual’s 인증대학·성적우수·한국어우수 label (unverified: the current thresholds behind 성적우수/한국어우수; under the pre-2023 rules, a B+ average or TOPIK 5+ qualified). D-4-1/D-4-7 language students and D-2-8 visiting students become eligible 6 months after entry/status change.
F-6 marriage visa: basic Korean required
Since 2014, the F-6 applicant must show basic communication ability. Accepted per the immigration checklist (MOFA consular notice, updated 2025-08-27): TOPIK 1급 or higher, a 세종학당 초급1 completion, a Korean-language degree, one year of past continuous stay in Korea, or evidence the Korean spouse speaks the applicant’s language. Exempt if the couple has a child together or the applicant previously held F-6.
Naturalization: the KIIP route
Completing KIIP stage 5 and passing the 귀화용 종합평가 replaces the naturalization written test (국적법 시행령 §5-2 framework) and can waive the interview (unverified: exact current interview-waiver scope and pass mark). For E-9 applicants upstream of all this, EPS-TOPIK is a separate selection test covered in /guides/e-9-eps-process.