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Pathway

South Korea Public Investment Residence

South Korea Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

An investment of at least KRW 1.5 billion in an approved Korean public fund or project can support residence. Keeping it for five years may let you apply for permanent residence; approval is not automatic.

Standard investment
At least KRW 1.5 billion in an approved public fund or designated development project
Source of funds
Proof that the money was lawfully obtained and transferred through the required channel
Higher-investment option
KRW 3 billion, with separate permanent-residence conditions

Summary

South Korea’s public-business investor residence scheme offers an interest-free deposit through the Korea Development Bank with the original investment guaranteed, or an approved investment whose value can rise or fall. A qualifying investment maintained for at least five years can support an F-5 permanent-residence application, subject to the other rules.

You normally receive F-2 residence first and can later apply separately for F-5 permanent residence. A different KRW 3 billion option can grant permanent residence on approval, with a commitment to keep the investment for five years.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Choose an approved investment

The Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business offers two types:

The standard minimum is KRW 1.5 billion. Age does not reduce it. The former KRW 500 million standard and KRW 300 million retiree minimums no longer apply to new applications; the lower-cost retiree option ended in June 2023.

Prove where the funds came from

You must show that the money is lawfully obtained, available, and sent through the required channel. A bank balance alone does not explain its origin.

Depending on how you obtained it, prepare tax returns, employment income, business or property sale records, inheritance or gift documents, audited accounts, and bank statements showing the transfers.

You must also pass identity, criminal, tax, and immigration-history checks. Ask Korea Immigration Service about any concerns before investing. A spouse and unmarried children need their own family and identity documents and remain subject to the relevant checks.

The standard public-business investment route
  1. Choose and verify the option Confirm the approved investment, amount, risks, and receiving institution.
  2. Complete investment and immigration checks Document lawful funds and meet the identity and background requirements.
  3. Review the later permanent-residence application For the standard F-2 route Keep the investment for at least five years and meet the current requirements.

The KRW 3 billion option has separate rules. No investment option grants citizenship automatically.

What This Route Allows

An approved standard-route investor receives F-2 residence, which allows broad economic activity under the scheme. An approved spouse and unmarried children can also receive F-2 status.

After keeping the required investment for at least five years, you may apply for F-5 permanent residence. The family benefit can extend to a spouse and unmarried children, subject to the rules and review at that time.

The public fund returns the principal after five years without interest. Consider the cost of being unable to use the money, lost purchasing power, fees, currency movements, taxes, and professional advice. A development-project investment can lose money as well.

What This Route Is Not

This is not a donation, investment in any ordinary company, or citizenship program. Only the approved fund or designated projects count. People who want to run a private business should review D-8 instead.

F-2 is not permanent residence, and five years does not automatically give F-5. You must keep the investment and complete the separate application. Citizenship has separate residence, status, conduct, financial, language, assessment, and nationality rules.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the standard KRW 1.5 billion route, or ask Korea Immigration Service about the separate KRW 3 billion permanent-residence option.
  2. Compare the fund and project choices, including possible losses, the required holding period, fees, and tax treatment.
  3. Contact Korea Immigration Service at 1345 to verify the approved process, receiving institution, and family requirements before transferring funds.
  4. Prepare a clear record of how the money was obtained and moved. Resolve overdue tax issues and review criminal or immigration concerns first.
  5. Gather passports, family records, bank and tax records, and required certified criminal records.
  6. Have independent Korean legal and tax advisors review the application and investment terms; do not rely only on a promoter’s claims.

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