F2 Visa Long-Term Residency Visa (part II): The Social Integration Program
In my last post, I talked about the ‘point system’ used by immigration as an eligibility requirement for the F2 visa. We learned that Korean Immigration Integration Program can help in achieving a nice chunk of the points needed for the F2. In this post we are going to take a look at Korean Immigration Integration Program, 한국사회통합프로그램 or KIIP.
KIIP (Korean Immigration Integration Program, 한국사회통합프로그램) is a state-funded Korean language / culture study course offered for free to participants. This program is designed and implemented by the Ministry of Justice, through its Social Integration Division. It was designed to help foreigners especially foreign spouses of Korean nationals to adapt to Korean life and culture. The Korean government realized that for many foreigners the biggest issues with learning Korean is the time it takes and the amount of money it can cost to study. As a solution the government started the KIIP program that allows foreigners to register and study Korean classes for FREE.
The classes are offered through the regional immigration offices and are held all over the city. The classes are offered at various times: during the day, evenings and weekends, in order to accommodate more people and avoid scheduling issues.
Before the classes start there is a “level test” that is held 3 times a year.
KIIP consists consists of two parts: Korean language training and Understanding Korean Society.
There are 5 Levels. Levels 1-4 are grammar lessons. Level 5 is Understanding Korean Society and Culture. It is not a grammar-learning course.
0 ———– KIIP – Pre-Beginner
Level 1 ———– KIIP – Beginner 1
Level 2 ———– KIIP – Beginner 2
Level 3 ———– KIIP – Intermediate 1
Level 4 ———– KIIP – Intermediate 2
Level 5 ———– KIIP – Advanced
You have to take a level placement test, which is used to assess your Korean proficiency level. The top level (level 5) is exempt from having to do language classes, and may go directly to Understanding Korean Society.
KIIP placement test
Registration
You can register for the placement test at http://www.socinet.go.kr/. Go to 사회통합프로그램 > 사회프로그램 신청 it should let you register.
You will be notified about the test date, time and location. Now you are ready to take the placement test :)
The placement test
The test is designed to evaluate writing/grammar, listening, reading comprehension and speaking abilities of the participants.
The writing and listening section is a multiple choice test and the questions focus a lot on grammar, comprehension, extent of vocabulary acquisition etc. Also the questions increase in difficulty.
After the written test, comes the reading/speaking test. This part is done in a ‘group’ setting. This means, you go in with a group of other test takers and answer an interview style speaking test. The test usually starts with the reading test. Each test taker is required to read the passage provided. It is usually the exact same passage everyone in the group has to read and then answer questions or make comments. After everyone is done reading the examiners will ask each person 3-4 questions about the passage depending on their ability to answer. The examiners may simplify, repeat or increase the difficulty of their questions according to the level of the person.
You’re done!
Placement test result
Now all you have to do is wait. You can check your test result and level at ‘my page’ on KIIP website http://www.socinet.go.kr/
Once you have your level, apply for the class on the website. You will be assigned class location, time etc.
This is usually how your placement test score determines your level :
| Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |
| Course | Korean Foundation | Beginner Korean 1 | Beginner Korean 2 | Intermediate Korean 1 | Intermediate Korean 2 | Understanding Korean society |
| Class time | 15 hours | 100 hours | 100 hours | 100 hours | 100 hours | 50 hours |
| Level Test result | Oral score under 3 (regardless of paper test score) |
3-20 points | 21-40 points | 41-60 points | 61-80 points | 81-100 points |
Level 1 to level 4 is 100 hours of instruction each, and takes about 3 months to complete. However, level 5: the Understanding Korean Society component is 50 hours of classroom time over 12 weeks. After each level there is a test that must be passed with a score of 60% or higher. If a passing grade is received you will move onto the next level.
At the end of this there is a final test on knowledge of Korean society and culture. Participants that pass this receive a certificate of language proficiency and cultural knowledge.
As we discussed in the previous post, KIIP Level 5 doesn’t get you any language points. Level 4 of the program gives you 16 points but you can get 10 extra points if you take the level 5 class. So basically it’s a 10 points bonus for finishing the course. But, if you want to earn more points finish KIIP and take TOPIK level 5 and 6 which is 18 and 20 points, respectively. you can find out more about the points for different levels here: http://www.englishspectrum.com/f2-visa-long-term-residency-visa-part-i-the-point-system
KIIP makes it easier to achieve the points required for the F2 visa. Korean immigration examines each applicant on a case-by-case basis. The final decision regarding the points calculation is at the discretion of your local immigration office. For more information please contact Immigration Services at 1345 or visit the Immigration website www.hikorea.go.kr. 
You can also learn more about KIIP at http://www.socinet.go.kr Another good idea is to get more information from your local immigration office since they are the ones who will be handling your application.