Overview
The naturalisation comprehensive assessment (귀화용 종합평가) is part of the Korea Immigration & Integration Program (KIIP). It tests Korean language, culture and understanding of Korean society for people applying for Korean nationality. The facts here come mainly from the Korean-language site of the Korea Immigration Foundation (한국이민재단), which runs the KIIP assessments, together with the English KIIP page of the Korea Immigration Service. The Ministry of Justice's own assessment pages could not be read, so confirm details on Socinet (the KIIP portal) before you register.
Who can take it
People who completed the full KIIP stage 5 course (basic plus advanced Korean society understanding).
People who applied for naturalisation on or after 1 March 2018. They can sit the assessment within 1 year of the date they filed the application.
People who completed the course by repeated attendance before 17 July 2016 may sit it without the advanced course.
Exam pattern
The assessment has 45 questions, 70 minutes and 100 points. It can be taken on paper (PBT) or on a computer (CBT).
| Part | Questions | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written section, multiple choice | 36 | 50 minutes | 65 |
| Written section, writing task | 4 questions combined into 1 prompt, answered in up to 200 characters | 10 minutes | 10 (4 x 2.5) |
| Oral test | 5 | 10 minutes | 25 (5 x 5) |
The written section as a whole lasts 60 minutes. The oral test covers speaking, explaining and conversation, with two examiners assessing two candidates at once. The site says the point split for multiple-choice questions may change: for paper it lists 14 questions at 1.5 points and 22 at 2 points; for computer it lists 7 at 1 point and 29 at 2 points. Allow 3 to 4 hours in total, depending on waiting time.
Marking and results
The pass mark is 60 out of 100, with decimals dropped. A no-show after registering counts as a fail.
Paper results appear 6 days after the test (the Friday of the following week) after 16:00. Computer results appear 2 weekdays after the test, after 16:00. Check them in your account on the assessment site or on Socinet; there is no individual notification.
What a pass gives you
Applicants who completed stage 5: the course is recognised as completed, the permanent-residence basic literacy requirement is met, the assessment pass is recognised, and the naturalisation interview is exempt.
Applicants who applied since 1 March 2018 without finishing stage 5: the assessment pass and the basic literacy requirement are recognised, but the interview exemption is not.
The English Immigration Service page says KIIP participants are exempt from the naturalisation written test and interview.
Fees
As listed on the official site in 2026, the fee is KRW 38,000 including VAT, for both the paper and computer versions.
Refunds depend on timing:
| Version | Refund |
|---|---|
| Paper | Full refund during the registration period; 50 percent from the close of registration for 7 days; 40 percent from 7 days after closing until 2 days before the test; none from 1 day before |
| Computer | Full refund during registration; 50 percent until 9 days before your test date; 40 percent from 7 to 2 days before; none from 1 day before |
How to apply
Register on the Korea Immigration Foundation assessment site (online only, no walk-in or postal registration). The schedule is on its notice board.
Log in, choose the assessment, choose a region and venue, pay, and check the confirmation.
Bring an accepted ID on the day: alien registration card, resident registration card, passport, Korean driving licence, or a residence-permit application confirmation with photo. Photocopies, student cards and mobile ID are not accepted.
Arrive on time. For paper tests, the room opens at 12:00 and closes at 12:30. For computer tests, arrive 20 minutes before the start.
Applicants with a registered disability can request special arrangements through the local immigration office's integration centre, with a disability certificate or a medical certificate. Those applicants must take the paper version.
A cheating penalty is zero for that assessment and a 1-year ban from KIIP.
Preparation tips
Finish the full KIIP stage 5 course, both the basic and the advanced Korean society understanding parts, if you want the interview exemption.
Practise handwriting a short answer in 200 characters for the paper writing task.
Choose paper or computer according to how you are comfortable answering; on the computer you type the answers.
What score is needed to pass the naturalisation comprehensive assessment?
60 out of 100 points.
How much does the assessment cost?
KRW 38,000 including VAT, as listed on the assessment site in 2026.
When must I take it relative to my naturalisation application?
Within 1 year of the date you applied for naturalisation, if you applied on or after 1 March 2018.