Useful Info

In South Korea, the permanent residency visa (F-5) that high-value foreign investors can apply for is largely divided into corporate investment (F-5-5) and public interest project investment immigration (F-5-25/26) pathways.
The main requirements applicable as of 2025 are as follows.
1. Corporate Investment High-Value Investor (F-5-5)
The F-5-5 visa is a permanent residency granted to foreigners (D-8) who invest at least USD 500,000 (approximately 600-700 million KRW) in Korea and employ at least 5 Korean nationals on a full-time basis for more than 6 months. Income and Korean language proficiency requirements are waived, but maintaining the investment funds and complying with employment conditions are essential.
- Detailed Requirements and Features of High-Value Investor (F-5-5) Permanent Residency
Investment Requirement / Investors who have invested at least USD 500,000 in a domestic company in accordance with the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.
Employment Requirement / Must directly employ at least 5 South Korean nationals (full-time) as of the application date and maintain this status for at least 6 months. Wages must be paid at or above the minimum wage.
Eligible Applicants / Primarily holders of D-8 (corporate investment) visas, but holders of specific residence visas such as F-2-7 (points-based) can also apply if they meet the requirements.
Special Notes (Waivers) / Unlike general permanent residency, income, Korean language proficiency, and degree requirements are not required.
Precautions / In case of joint investment, only the individual's investment must exceed USD 500,000, and employment personnel cannot overlap with other applicants.
- Main Submission Documents
Foreign Investment Company Registration Certificate and Business Registration Certificate, Corporate Registration Extract and Shareholder Register, Employment Proof Documents (e.g., 4 major insurance subscriber list)
2. Public Interest Project Investment Immigration (F-5-25, F-5-26)
This system grants residence (F-2) status to foreigners and accompanying family members who have completed investments above the base amount in investment targets designated by the Minister of Justice, and grants permanent (F-5) residency status after maintaining the investment for 5 years or more under F-2 residence status according to certain standards.
- General Investment Immigration (F-5-25)
Must contribute at least 1.5 billion KRW (as of 2025) to a public interest project fund and maintain it for 5 years. The principal can be recovered after 5 years, at which point permanent residency is granted.
- High-Value Investment Immigration (F-5-26, Fast-track)
In the case of a one-time contribution of at least 3 billion KRW (as of 2025), permanent residency can be obtained immediately without a 5-year waiting period. However, the investment status must be maintained for at least 5 years, and early withdrawal will result in cancellation of permanent residency.
- Benefits
The investor, spouse, and unmarried children are granted F-2 residence status, allowing free entry/exit, employment, business, and studies in South Korea. Additionally, after maintaining the investment status for 5 years, F-5 permanent residency status is granted.
3. Other Investment Permanent Residency (Tourism and Resort Facilities)
Investment Amount / Investing at least 1 billion KRW in tourism and resort facilities (condos, etc.) in specific regions allows acquisition of permanent residency after 5 years.
Precautions / It has been raised from 500 million KRW to 1 billion KRW recently, and general apartments or houses are excluded from the targets. As of 2025, the per capita Gross National Income (GNI) used as the standard for foreign permanent residency applications is confirmed at approximately 49.955 million KRW and is applied to income reviews for other visa types. The tourism and resort facilities investment immigration system grants F-2 residence visas to foreigners who invest at least 1 billion KRW (some 700 million KRW) in resort condos, accommodations, etc., in designated regions, and allows F-5 permanent residency after 5 years of maintenance. It aims to activate unsold inventory, and residential housing (apartments, etc.) is excluded.
- Main Contents and Conditions
Investment Targets / Resort condominiums, general/lifestyle accommodations, tourist pensions in specific regions announced by the Minister of Justice.
Investment Amount / Increased from 500 million KRW to at least 1 billion KRW. (However, some regions maintain 700 million KRW until the end of 2024 before increasing).
Target Regions / Jeju Island, Incheon Free Economic Zone (Songdo, Yeongjong, Cheongna), Gangwon Pyeongchang, Busan Haeundae/Youngdo, Jeonnam Yeosu, etc.
Benefits / F-2 visas issued to the investor, spouse, and unmarried children, followed by F-5 permanent residency after 5 years.
- Procedures and Requirements
F-2 (Residence) Visa / Can be applied for immediately after investment, and the investment status must be maintained for 5 years.
F-5 (Permanent) Visa / Can be applied for after 5 years.
Restrictions / Residential housing (apartments) is excluded from investment targets.
- Precautions
Investment Fund Inflow / Must be funds brought in from overseas.
Maintenance Obligation / Must hold the investment target real estate without disposal for 5 years to acquire permanent residency.