2021 KIIP Guideline (Korean Immigration and Integration Program)

Korean Immigration & Integration Program (KIIP) 2021: Guidelines

Xem bản tiếng Việt, tại: Giới  thiệu về chương trình hội nhập xã hội Hàn Quốc (사회통합프로그램)

1. What is Korea Immigration & Integration Program (KIIP)?

A FREE education program developed to help immigrants acquire basic knowledge and information about life in Korea (Korean Language and Culture, Understanding Korean Society, and etc.) so that they can adapt to and become self-reliant members of Korean society.

2. Eligible Participants:

❍ Foreign residents and naturalized Koreans who hold an alien registration card or domestic residence card
- Naturalized Koreans who have acquired Korean nationality with no more than 3 years can take the level test and classes.

※ Foreign national Koreans applying for permanent residency (F5-7) must complete the 'KIIP level 5 basic course'

3. Benefits of KIIP program:

A. When applying for naturalization : exemption from naturalization written test and interview, reduced waiting time for naturalization evaluation (only applied to those who completed the intensive course)
B. When applying for VISA F2 & F5:
❍ Additional points
- Those applying for points system based residential status (F2-7) (maximum 28 points)
❍ Exemption from proving Korean fluency
- Long-term foreign residents applying for permanent residency (F5-1)
- Spouse of Korean citizen (F6) applying for permanent residency (F5-2)
- Underage children (foreigner) of Korean citizens (F2-2) applying for permanent residency (F5-3)
- Working visit (H-2) visa holders applying for permanent residency (F5-14)
- Long-term foreign residents (D1, D5~D9, F1, F3, E1~E5, E7, etc.) applying for residential status (F2-99)
- Non-professional employment (E9), vessel crew (E10), working visit (H-2) visa holders applying for residential status (F2-6) or specially designated activities (E7-1)

4. Curriculum:

* Below is the old KIIP curriculum (valid until 2021.08.15)

◦ New KIIP policy from 2021.08.16: 

Level 3: 100 h language course --> 80h language course + 20h culture course 

Level 4: 100 h language course --> 80h language course + 20h culture course 

Level 5: 50h understanding society basic course  --> 70h (60h textbook + 10h activities)

Level 5: 20h understanding society advance course  --> 30 hours (20h textbook + 10h activities)

Activities = selection of civil education, immigration mentor education, field education, voluntary activities etc.

*Your class attendance has to be equal to 80 % or higher to be able to apply for the corresponding test.

For example, in KIIP level 5 basic course, your class attendance has to be at least 48 h coursebook + 8 h activities to be able to apply for the KIIP level 5 comprehensive test.

◦ How to submit your TOPIK certificate?

Applicants can start at the assigned level based on their pre-test score or 'valid' TOPIK certificate. There are 2 ways to submit your TOPIK certificate as below:

(1) You can submit your valid TOPIK certificate at your nearest immigration office to get your assigned level without taking the pre-test 

(2) You call the immigration contact number 1345 to get support for submitting your valid TOPIK certificate ONLINE without visiting the immigration office. Note that the immigration contact number receives calls during working hours only.

- See the below picture for details.

◦ Applicants who did not take the level test or TOPIK can start from level 0

◦ Applicants must first take the level 5 basic course (50 hours) in order to apply for the intensive course (20 hours).

5. KIIP textbooks (2021)

The Old KIIP curriculum requires only 7 books for the whole course. However, in the new KIIP curriculum, the number of books has increased to 15 books.  

To have a look at the online book or get the book pdf, visit: 

New KIIP Textbook Level 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 +Audio

To purchase the KIIP books, visit:

New KIIP Books Level 0,1,2,3,4,5 and practice tests with 20% discount links

Below is the cover of each KIIP book by level.

Level 0 book (15h): Introductory book

Level 1 book (100h): Basic textbook + workbook

Level 2 book (100h): Basic textbook + workbook

Level 3 book (80h +20h): Basic textbook + workbook + Customized culture book 

Level 4 book (80h +20h): Basic textbook + workbook+ Customized culture book 

Level 5 book (70h course): Basic textbook + basic workbook

Level 5 book (30h course): Advance textbook + advance workbook

6. KIIP Test Schedule:

In 2021, there are 25 KIIP tests in total: 10 pre-tests, 5 mid-term tests, and 10 comprehensive tests.

Visit: 2021 KIIP Test Schedule & completion policy /사회통합프로그램 평가 알아보기!

7. Guide to Register and Apply for the Pre-Test:

Visit: How to Apply for a KIIP Test or Start from level 0 (사회통합프로그램 사전평가 신청)

※ From Mar 2019, the pre-test is no longer free. You must pay 30,000 won the registration fee to take the pre-test, midterm test, and comprehensive test.

※ From Mar 2021, the test fee was increased from 30,000 won to 38,000 won.  

8. Guide to Class Registration:

 Visit: How to register for a KIIP class with proper time and location on socinet.go.kr

❍ Old KIIP class policy before 2020: 

You have to attend the KIIP class offline. Online class is only available to the following conditions:
- Education Center : Korea Immigration Service Foundation [한국이민재단 (온라인 화상교육)]
- Eligible participants :
⓵ pregnancy, childbirth, long distance, restricted mobility
⓶ class cancelled
⓷ applicant who can not attend class due to unavoidable circumstances such as a job (proof required)
※ Applicants can register for online classes on a first come, first served basis during the registration period. The education center will contact the applicant for documents (pregnancy confirmation, family relation certificate, employment certificate), and make deliberations before assigning a class.

❍ New KIIP class policy after 2020: 

- Class registration time is changed from 0:00 AM to 9:00 AM. 

- Due to the COVID19 pandemic, all KIIP classes are conducted online, so there is no restriction on the class location that you intend to apply for. 

9. Qualifications & Certificates

- If you complete Korean Language and Culture class (level 4 class) and pass the mid-term test, you will receive the "Korean Language and Culture Test (KLCT)" certificate for getting plus points when applying for VISA.

- If you complete the basic course for Understanding Korean Society (Level 5 - 50 hours course) and pass the comprehensive test for permanent residency, you will receive the "Permanent Residence Test (KIPRAT)" certificate (합격증) and the "KIIP completion certificate" (이수증) for applying VISA F2 and F5.

- If you complete the intensive course for Understanding Korean Society (Level 5 - 70 hours course) and pass the comprehensive test for naturalization, you will receive the "Naturalization Test (KINAT)" certificate a(합격증) and the "KIIP completion certificate" (이수증) for applying Korean citizenship.

10. Other useful information

Foreign Language Service Center: Call 1345 anywhere in Korea. Note that the support center receives calls during working hours only.

Download the level test sample book, visit:

사회통합프로그램 사전평가 2018 PDF with keys (2018 KIIP Level tests)

Download KIIP textbook, visit:

사회통합프로그램 KIIP Program Textbook (Korean for Immigrants) PDF+Audio