If you plan to stay, this is the single programme worth knowing about early. It is run by the immigration service, it is close to free, and finishing it changes what you can apply for. Links to the official desks only.
KIIP — the course immigration itself runs
The Korea Immigration and Integration Program teaches Korean and civics in stages. It is the same body that decides your residence status, so completing it counts directly — for permanent residence, for naturalisation, and for some visa changes. You start with a placement test, so you may not begin at zero.
Social Integration Network — KIIP enrolmentThe official portal for the Korea Immigration and Integration Program: placement test, class search and enrolment.socinet.go.krClasses near you fill within hours of opening. Make the account and take the placement test before the round opens, not after.
HiKorea — immigration servicesThe government portal for residence applications, appointments and status changes.hikorea.go.krBook the appointment here once you have the certificate. Slots at busy offices go weeks out.
Read the rule, not the summary
Visa advice ages badly. A post from two years ago can be confidently wrong and still rank first. These are the pages the rules actually live on.
Korea Immigration ServiceThe ministry body that sets residence policy and publishes changes first.immigration.go.krAnnouncements land here before any community post. Check the date on whatever advice you were given.
Easy Law — plain-language legal informationThe government service that explains Korean law in everyday terms, including residence and foreign resident topics.easylaw.go.krWhen the immigration page is too terse, this one explains the same rule in sentences you can follow.
Levels, exemptions and how much each stage counts toward an application change by year and by visa type. Confirm your own case at immigration rather than with a classmate.
Are you doing KIIP? Which level are you on, and was the placement test fair?
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