What KIIP is, and why so many visa rules mention it

KIIP is the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (사회통합프로그램), run by the Ministry of Justice. It is a course in Korean language and Korean society for people who live here. People talk about it because many visa rules count it.

Who can join
Foreign nationals staying here legally with a foreigner registration card or domestic residence card, and people within 3 years of getting Korean nationality. You apply online at socinet.go.kr, then sit a level test (사전평가) that places you. Starting from level 0? You can skip the level test.

The levels

• Level 0: basics, 15 hours.
• Levels 1 to 4: Korean language and culture, 100 hours each.
• Level 5 basic: Korean society, 70 hours, ending with the permanent residence test (영주용 종합평가).
• Level 5 advanced: 30 hours, ending with the naturalisation test (귀화용 종합평가).

Levels 1 to 4 need at least 80 of their 100 hours. Level 0 needs 10 of its 15, and level 5 has its own minimums. A valid TOPIK grade lets you skip ahead: TOPIK 1 starts at level 2, TOPIK 2 at level 3, TOPIK 3 at level 4, and TOPIK 4 to 6 at level 5. Classes normally run in three terms a year, and not every centre offers every level each term.

What it costs (changed in 2025)
Classes used to be free. Since 1 January 2025 levels 1 to 4 cost 100,000 won each, level 5 basic 70,000 won and level 5 advanced 30,000 won. Level 0 is free, and 100% attendance halves that level's fee. Each national test costs 38,000 won.

Why it matters

• Permanent residence (F-5): if your F-5 type requires basic knowledge, you need recognised KIIP completion, or at least 60 on the permanent residence or naturalisation test. The general TOPIK route ended for applications after 31 March 2019, with a few narrow exceptions.
• Naturalisation: the naturalisation test replaces the written exam. Finish all of level 5 (basic and advanced) and pass that test, and you are also exempt from the interview.
• F-2-7 points visa: a KIIP level counts like the matching TOPIK grade, level 5 is 20 points, and finishing level 5 basic adds 10 bonus points. See our F-2-7 guide.
• D-10 job seekers and E-7-4 skilled workers: KIIP results count toward D-10 points and can meet the Korean requirement for E-7-4. Other requirements still apply.
• F-4: holders who have not shown Korean ability can get up to 2 years of stay while registered and attending KIIP, against up to 1 year otherwise.
• A completion certificate has no fixed expiry date. A level-test result lasts 2 years.

It depends on your visa and your goal. Not every status gets a benefit, and the rules sit in each visa's own manual.

Next step: make an account on socinet.go.kr and book a level test. The next one is on 21 November 2026, and sign-up runs only from 3 to 7 November. Questions: call 1345 (weekdays 9:00 to 22:00, 20 languages; after 18:00 only Korean, English and Chinese).

Sources: Socinet, levels and hours; Socinet, benefits; Socinet, TOPIK placement; Socinet, fee notice; Socinet, 2025 operating guidelines; kiiptest.org, fees; kiiptest.org, final tests; Immigration Service, KIIP; Immigration Service, 1345; Ministry of Justice, F-4 notice, 11 February 2026; Ministry of Justice stay manual, 18 September 2026, via HiKorea. Checked 19 October 2026.