Exam overview
Korean-language ability and basic civic knowledge of naturalization applicants are checked through the KIIP 종합평가 (Korea Immigration & Integration Program — Comprehensive Evaluation). The separate 귀화필기시험 (Naturalization Written Test) that the Ministry of Justice used to run was replaced on 1 March 2018 by the 귀화용 종합평가 (naturalization-track comprehensive evaluation). There are two routes:
- KIIP route — completing the Ministry of Justice's KIIP through Level 5 exempts you from the naturalization-track evaluation; if you also scored 60+ on the evaluation taken within the programme, you are exempt from the naturalization interview as well
- Applicant route (no KIIP) — you apply for naturalization first and then sit the naturalization-track evaluation within 1 year of the application date (maximum 3 attempts)
KIIP has 6 levels, numbered 0 to 5:
- Level 0 (basic) — 15 hours
- Levels 1–4 (Korean language and culture) — 100 hours each
- Level 5 (Understanding Korean Society) — Basic, 70 hours (permanent-residence track) + Advanced, 30 hours. Naturalization requires both Basic and Advanced (100 hours in total)
In July 2026 the Ministry of Justice said it is preparing a reform direction for KIIP (tracks by type of stay, pre-departure education, mandatory participation). No dates have been set (planned).
About the practice questions in this app — The official question bank is not published; the Korea Immigration and Integration Foundation (kiiptest.org) only releases sample items. The questions here are our own, written from the Ministry of Justice textbook 「한국사회 이해」 and current law to prepare for the multiple-choice part of the 종합평가. They do not cover the writing and oral parts or Korean-language items.
Eligibility
Naturalization requirements are set by Korea's Nationality Act (2026 baseline; subject to change).
- General naturalization — 5+ years of continuous address in Korea and F-5 (permanent residence) status (F-2 residence status is not enough)
- Simplified naturalization
- Spouse of a Korean national — 2+ years of continuous address in Korea while married, or 3+ years since the marriage with 1+ year of continuous address while married
- 3+ years of continuous address for: a person whose father or mother was a Korean national; a person born in Korea whose father or mother was also born in Korea; a person adopted by a Korean national as an adult
- Special naturalization — a person whose father or mother is a Korean national, a person with special merit to Korea, or a person with outstanding talent in science, economy, culture, sports, etc. (no minimum residence period, but you must have an address in Korea)
- Basic requirements (for general naturalization; partly waived for simplified/special)
- Adult under the Civil Code — 19 or older (minor children can apply together with a parent)
- Able to support yourself through your own or your household's assets or skills
- Basic knowledge as a national, such as Korean-language ability and understanding of Korean customs
- Good conduct, including compliance with the law
- Not a threat to national security, public order or public welfare
The language and basic-knowledge requirement is met by completing KIIP or scoring 60+ on the naturalization-track evaluation. The evaluation is waived for: minors, people aged 60 or older, special-naturalization applicants (merit/talent), KIIP completers, and anyone who scored 60+ on the evaluation within the 3 years before applying. TOPIK certificate holders may be exempt from some KIIP levels, but the scope of the exemption can change between cohorts — check the Social Integration Network for the current rules.
Test format
The naturalization-track 종합평가 has 45 items in 70 minutes, scored out of 100. You can take it on paper (PBT) or on computer (CBT).
- Written part — 40 items (60 min)
- 36 multiple-choice items (50 min, 65 pts) — 7 items × 1 pt + 29 items × 2 pts; Korean language + society, history, and constitution
- 4 writing items (10 min, 10 pts) — one writing task of up to 200 characters
- Oral part — 5 items (10 min, 25 pts) — a speaking test with two examiners
Pass mark: 60 / 100. A separate 영주용 종합평가 (permanent-residence-track evaluation) exists for permanent residency applicants.
Topic areas
- Korean history (한국사) — from ancient kingdoms (Goguryeo, Goryeo, Joseon) through the modern era (Japanese colonial period, founding of the Republic)
- Politics & government — 헌법 (Constitution), the presidential system, the National Assembly, and the judiciary
- Economy — industrialization history, trade, market economy basics
- Culture & society — 명절 (Seollal, Chuseok), family culture, multicultural society
- Citizens' rights & duties — basic rights and the duties of taxation, defense, education, and labor
- Korean language (한국어) — vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension (roughly half of the MCQ block tests language)
Fees
Costs below are 2026 baseline figures and may change without notice.
- Comprehensive evaluation fee — ₩38,000 (same for PBT and CBT, VAT included)
- KIIP course tuition — free or low-cost (run through the Social Integration Network)
- Naturalization application fee — ₩300,000 (paid as a government revenue stamp, 정부수입인지)
- Background checks, certificates, etc. — additional incidental costs may apply
Confirm current amounts on the KIIP test site, the Social Integration Network and Korea Immigration Service notices.
How to apply
- Complete KIIP Level 5 (Basic + Advanced) — or, if you apply without KIIP, prepare for the naturalization-track evaluation
- Submit your naturalization application + fee (₩300,000 revenue stamp) + supporting documents to the immigration office that covers your address
- If you have not completed KIIP, sit the naturalization-track evaluation within 1 year of the application date (max 3 attempts; pass mark 60)
- Pass the 면접 심사 (interview screening) — Korean-language ability, attitude as a citizen, and belief in the liberal democratic order (unless exempt)
- Receive naturalization approval from the Minister of Justice
- Take the 국민선서 (oath of citizenship) and receive the naturalization certificate — you become a Korean national and are entered into the family register
Retake policy
- In 2026 the paper test (PBT) is held 8 times a year, and the computer test (CBT) is available year-round at 3 centres (Gwangmyeong, Daejeon, Seoul) — check kiiptest.org for dates
- KIIP route — if you score below 60, you can retake the evaluation or repeat the course
- Applicant route (no KIIP) — you have a maximum of 3 attempts within 1 year of the naturalization application date
- The exam fee is payable each time you sit
- There is no rule that a pass certificate is "valid for 2 years". Instead, the naturalization-track evaluation is waived only if you scored 60+ within the 3 years before applying
After passing
- Include proof of KIIP completion (or your evaluation score) in your naturalization packet
- Submit the packet to the immigration office → document review
- Interview screening — Korean-language ability, attitude as a citizen, and belief in the liberal democratic order. Exempt: KIIP completers who scored 60+ on the evaluation, applicants under 15, and spouses aged 60+ of people who restored Korean nationality. An optional 3-hour interview-preparation civic course (귀화면접대비 시민교육) is available
- The Minister of Justice issues naturalization approval (months to over a year)
- Attend the oath ceremony (국민선서식), receive the naturalization certificate, and be entered into the family register
- Surrender your foreign-resident card and apply for the resident registration card
- Original nationality — Korea requires you to renounce your foreign nationality within 1 year of acquiring Korean nationality. Spouses of Korean nationals and special-merit/outstanding-talent cases may instead sign a pledge not to exercise the foreign nationality (외국국적불행사 서약). If you do neither in time, you lose Korean nationality (Nationality Act, Art. 10)
Official resources
- KIIP test site — evaluation guide, sample items, test schedules and registration
- Social Integration Network — course registration and completion records, KIIP levels and hours, evaluation for naturalization applicants
- Ministry of Justice — KIIP overview
- Korea Immigration Service (Ministry of Justice) — naturalization filing, statutes
Recommended study materials
- 「사회통합프로그램(KIIP) 한국사회 이해」 (Understanding Korean Society) — Basic and Advanced, the two Level 5 volumes — the official KIIP textbooks
- KIIP comprehensive evaluation sample items — published on kiiptest.org
- TOPIK intermediate (Level 3–4) prep — useful reinforcement for the language portion
FAQ
Can I take the test in a language other than Korean? No. The exam is Korean-only because Korean proficiency itself is part of what's being evaluated.
What if I fail? On the KIIP route you can retake the evaluation or repeat the course. If you applied for naturalization without KIIP, you only have up to 3 attempts within 1 year of the application date, so plan your preparation. Each sitting requires a fresh fee.
Can I skip KIIP and go straight to the test? Yes. Apply for naturalization and sit the naturalization-track evaluation within 1 year. That said, KIIP completers are exempt from the evaluation, and a score of 60+ on the evaluation within the programme also exempts you from the naturalization interview — which is why many applicants choose the KIIP route.
Does a TOPIK certificate exempt me from the test? TOPIK can be used to exempt you from some KIIP levels, but it does not replace the naturalization-track evaluation. Check the per-cohort exemption rules.
Does a passing score expire? There is no "valid for 2 years" rule. Instead, if you scored 60+ on the evaluation within the 3 years before your naturalization application, the evaluation is waived. If you have not completed KIIP and your score is older than 3 years, you will need to sit it again after applying.