Welcome to the F-2-7S Visa Information Portal

1. Application for Letter of Recommendation

Submit the following documents to the University's Student Service Office, e.g., KAIST ISSS:

• Official criminal record certificate from home country (scanned file to ISSS)
  * Valid if issued within three months of the visa application. Must be translated and notarized in English if not originally in English.
• 3 x Recommendation letters (1 from academic advisor, 2 from Korean fellows (KAIST-ian), all written in English)
• 1 x List of Key Achievements for President’s Letter of Recommendation (written in English)
  * Mandatory for applicants from October 1, 2022, onwards.
• CV
• Korean language proficiency evidence (TOPIK) or proof of course completion in Korean from your university

2. Invited to an Interview

Prepare for the interview, demonstrate your enthusiasm for staying and working in Korea, and show how you plan to integrate into Korean society. Be honest and express your long-term goals clearly.

In the interview or when you write your plans, you should express that you want to work in Korea, not apply for a PhD. If you say you want to pursue a PhD, they might tell you that you don't need an F-2-7 visa for that, and you will be denied. Another reason for denial would be indicating that you only want to work in a foreign company situated in Korea. There was a case where an applicant who wanted to work exclusively in a foreign company in Korea got declined. Make sure to show that you want to work in a Korean company.

3. President’s Recommendation Letter Issuance Process

Interviews are granted only to those who submit all required documents, including three recommendation letters and an apostilled official criminal record certificate.

ISSS will contact candidates for interviews individually. Successful candidates will receive the president's letter of recommendation within 2-3 business days after the interview results are announced.

* Those who do not pass the interview may be given a second chance if they submit a letter of justification within 10 days from the notification date. Second chance interviews are conducted twice a year (January-February, July-August).

* Those who fail to pass the first interview or the second chance interview and do not receive a president’s recommendation letter should apply for the existing F2-7 (point system) residence visa.

4. Application for the Visa at the Global Talent Visa Center

Submit your completed application including all required documents and the president’s recommendation letter to the Global Talent Visa Center.