General program requirements

South Korea’s Investor Visa program allows for two principal classes of investment:

1. Principal Guaranteed and Interest-Free Investment

An investment in a public fund administered by the Korea Development Bank. The principal is returned after five years and no interest is paid in the interim.

2. Risk-based Investment

An investment in designated development projects in less-developed regions of the country. These projects can include infrastructure developments, hospitality ventures, and other projects considered of particular interest to economic development. These investments carry risk but also the potential for returns.

3. Real Estate Investment

An investment in hospitality real estate, such as condominiums, hotels, golf resorts, villas, and similar, in areas designated for investment. Designated areas include:

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province;
Pyeongchang Alpensia in Gangwon-do;
Songdo, Yeongjong and Cheongna in Incheon Free Economic Zone;
Yeosu and Gyeongdo in Jeollanam-do;
and Haeundae and Dongbusan in Busan.

Minimum investment amounts for Risk-Based and Guaranteed-Principal investment options:

Investors aged 55 and over must deposit no less than KRW 300 million (about US$236,000) to qualify for temporary residency (F-2);

Investors younger than 55 years old must deposit KRW 500 million (about US$390,000) to qualify for temporary residency (F-2);

Investors of any age can obtain immediate permanent residency (F-5) by depositing KRW 1.5 billion (about US$1.2m).

Minimum investment amounts for real estate investment option:

Investors of any age can obtain temporary residency (F-2) by acquiring qualifying real estate for at least KRW 1 billion (US$788,000 in June 2023).

Program benefits

• Path to citizenship;
• Safety and security;
• Short processing time;
• Minimal physical presence requirement;

Requirements to qualify for citizenship

Those who invest KRW 300 million, KRW 500 million, or KRW 1bn (real estate) in South Korea under the investor visa program will receive a temporary residence permit valid for up to three years. The residence permit is renewable, as long as the investment is maintained.

After five years of continued residency, the investor is eligible for permanent residency. 

Those who invested KRW 1.5 billion receive immediate permanent residency.

Permanent residents of South Korea are eligible to apply for citizenship. Naturalization is subject to mastery of Korean language.

Applications for this program may be directed to:

Ministry of Justice – Korean Immigration Service

See more statistics on this program, and dozens of others, in the IMI Data Center.