Eligibility quiz
Have you personally invested at least US$300,000?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in South Korea
With resident status, you can live in South Korea for the period you are granted.
Permanent residence lets you live there indefinitely.
Work in South Korea
Permanent residents can work and carry out economic activities without the usual restrictions tied to temporary work status.
Work freedom for other residents depends on their specific resident category.
Travel and return
Registered residents can generally return without a re-entry permit within one year, or before their stay expires if sooner.
Permanent residents generally have two years.
Entry bans or visa restrictions can still apply.
Rent or buy housing
As a resident, you can rent or buy a home in South Korea.
Use public healthcare
You can be covered by National Health Insurance if you meet its separate eligibility rules.
Coverage does not make healthcare free.
How to apply
From outside South KoreaFrom outside South Korea
Find your consulate
Find the South Korean embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South Korean embassy or consulate handles Resident F-2 visa applications for your city?”
Download the application form
Download the visa application form for your Resident F-2 visa.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the South Korea Resident F-2 visa application form?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the visa application form. If the application is for your child, help your child complete it.
Get form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the South Korea Resident F-2 visa application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsArrange visa confirmation
If the consulate requires visa-issuance confirmation first, ask your sponsor or investment authority in South Korea to apply for it at an immigration office. Ask them to share the result with you.
Find confirmation instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does a sponsor obtain South Korea Resident F-2 visa issuance confirmation?”
Arrange your visit
Arrange an appointment with the consulate if it requires one.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a South Korea Resident F-2 visa appointment at the consulate for your city?”
Hand in your application
Take your application and required documents to the consulate, or use another submission method it permits. Pay the visa fee using a method the consulate accepts.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a South Korea Resident F-2 visa application at the consulate for your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate's decision and respond if it asks for more information or documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of a South Korea Resident F-2 visa application at the consulate for your city?”
Travel to Korea
Once your visa is issued, travel to South Korea with your valid passport and visa.
Find entry instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter South Korea with a Resident F-2 visa?”
Once in South KoreaOnce in South Korea
Find your immigration office
Find the immigration office responsible for your address in South Korea.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South Korea immigration office handles Resident F-2 registration for your city?”
Book a registration visit
Reserve a visit through Hi Korea if your immigration office requires a reservation for registration.
Book a visitSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I reserve a visit through Hi Korea for South Korea Resident F-2 registration?”
Register your residence
Apply for foreigner registration and a residence card at your immigration office. Follow the office's instructions to receive your card; it records your residence in South Korea.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for foreigner registration and a residence card with South Korea Resident F-2 status?”
Maintain your investment
If you have investment-immigration F-2 status and want permanent residence, keep the qualifying investment continuously for at least five years before applying for F-5. The investor's eligible spouse or child may also apply.
Find investment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I maintain a South Korea investment immigration Resident F-2 investment before applying for Permanent Resident F-5 status?”
Download the application form
When you are ready to apply for Permanent Resident F-5 status, download the integrated application form.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the South Korea Permanent Resident F-5 integrated application form?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the integrated application form for F-5. If the application is for your child, help your child complete it.
Get form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the South Korea Permanent Resident F-5 integrated application form?”
Book an appointment
Create or sign in to your Hi Korea account and reserve a visit at the immigration office responsible for your address.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I reserve a Hi Korea appointment for South Korea Permanent Resident F-5 status?”
Go to your appointment
Before your F-2 stay expires, take your completed application and required documents to your immigration office. Pay the fee using a method the office accepts; some services may also be available as an e-application through Hi Korea.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a South Korea Permanent Resident F-5 application at an immigration office?”
Wait for the decision
Check your result through Hi Korea and respond if immigration asks for more information or documents. Print the approval certificate if it applies to your application.
Check your resultSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check my South Korea Permanent Resident F-5 application status on Hi Korea?”
Update your residence card
After approval, complete any residence-card procedure immigration tells you to follow. Your updated card records your permanent residence in South Korea.
Find card instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I update my residence card after South Korea Permanent Resident F-5 approval?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Family relationship records *
Provide a civil-status record showing your relationship to the investor, such as a marriage or birth certificate. Ask the office that issued the record for a copy and check whether it must have been issued within the last three months.
* Only if you apply as the investor's spouse or child.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Permanent resident card
If you are a permanent resident, you must get a new card within the prescribed period after ten years.
Failure to do so can bring a fine of up to KRW 2 million.
Residence and records
If your residence is for a fixed period, you must extend it before it expires, and the extension cannot outlast your passport.
You must also report changes to your address, passport and registration details.
Residence can end
Fixed-period residence expires unless extended.
Residence can be taken away in legally prescribed circumstances, including certain crimes.
In the high-investment permanent-residence scheme, returning the investment before five years causes cancellation.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats in Korea
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean visas
Join on FacebookEvery Expat in Korea
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean local life
Join on FacebookForeigners in Seoul
English Facebook group for people living in South Korea interested in South Korean local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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