How to Obtain Permanent Residence in South Korea

South Korea is a nation known for its stunning natural landscapes and robust economy, making it increasingly appealing not just to tourists but also to immigrants. Many individuals come to South Korea to pursue studies, employment, entrepreneurial opportunities, and to establish their families. In recent years, the country's immigration policies have become more accommodating, allowing foreigners to apply for permanent residency and establish their lives here. Here's what you need to know about obtaining South Korean permanent residency and the requirements that applicants must fulfil.

• Types and Advantages of Permanent Residence in South Korea
• What Papers You Need to Apply for Permanent Residency in South Korea

Types and Advantages of Permanent Residence in South Korea

A permanent residence permit, known as an F-5 visa, grants its holders the privilege of residing in South Korea indefinitely, with the freedom to enter and exit the country at their convenience. There are several pathways to obtaining an F-5 visa:

• Professional migration,
• Investments,
• Education,
• Contribution to the development of the country,
• Marriage with a citizen of the country or a permanent resident,
• Close family ties,
• Korean roots,
• Legal stay in the country for more than five years.

With an F-5 visa, a foreigner receives a number of advantages:

1. They can stay in Korea permanently without renouncing their current citizenship.
2. They can return to Korea within two years after leaving without having to apply for a re-entry permit.
3. They only need to confirm their status once every 10 years.
4. Three years after receiving a residence permit, if a foreigner is over 19 years of age, they can participate in local elections.
5. Having permanent residence in South Korea, you can draw up the paperwork for your family to move to the country.

Work Immigration

A crucial requirement for obtaining a long-term residence permit in South Korea for work is a valid employment contract with a Korean company approved by the Ministry of Labor. Given the country's preference for hiring local employees, employers must present compelling reasons for hiring an immigrant. A work contract entitles a foreigner to reside in the country on an E visa. After five years of employment under this visa, they become eligible to apply for permanent residence.

Professional immigration enables a foreigner to reunite with their family in the country, with family members having the opportunity to obtain resident status. With a residence permit, individuals have the right to work exclusively for the company that sponsored their contract. To change employers, they will be required to obtain either a new permit or permanent residence status.

Permanent Residence for Investments

A foreign citizen who has invested $500,000 or more in the country's business or government bonds and employed at least five native Koreans as permanent staff members can secure a residence permit. After three years, they become eligible to apply for permanent residence. The same opportunity is extended to individuals who have invested over $300,000 in a local startup and have created employment opportunities for two or more Korean citizens.

Purchasing property for the specified amount is also regarded as a qualifying investment, granting the foreigner eligibility for permanent residence. Even if the real estate's value is less than the specified amount, it still provides a significant advantage when applying for a residence permit, permanent residence, or citizenship.

Education

Purchasing property for the specified amount is also regarded as a qualifying investment, granting the foreigner eligibility for permanent residence. Even if the real estate's value is less than the specified amount, it still provides a significant advantage when applying for a residence permit, permanent residence, or citizenship.

An applicant can apply for a residence permit if:

• They have a bachelor's or master's degree,
• They have documents confirming KIIP (more on this later),
• Their income is equal to or higher than the gross national income (GNI),
• They have lived in the country for at least three years.

KIIP, which stands for Korean Immigration and Integration Program, is a system designed to assist foreigners in acquiring proficiency in the Korean language, gaining cultural insights, and effectively integrating into the local society. The KIIP certificate consists of five levels and is required to demonstrate basic knowledge when applying for a change in residence status or citizenship. To enrol in the KIIP program, you can submit your application through the Socinet website.

To secure permanent residence, a foreign student who has completed their studies on a D-2 visa must initiate the process by applying for a D-10 visa, which allows them to seek employment opportunities. Upon securing a job and signing a contract with an employer, they are eligible for a type E work visa, commencing their employment for a minimum of one year. Following this initial period, they become eligible to apply for an F2 visa (for long-term stay). Three years thereafter, they can submit an application for permanent residence.

Another essential requirement for these applicants is to achieve a minimum score of 80 points in the Point System for Excellent Human Resources. Points are allocated based on factors such as age, education, income, volunteer work, language proficiency, and knowledge of Korean culture (KIIP).

Significant Contribution to the Development of South Korea

Individuals who have achieved remarkable recognition in the domains of science, management, education, arts, culture, and sports, as officially acknowledged by the Ministry of Justice, are eligible to apply for permanent residence. This category encompasses international sports icons, recipients of prestigious global awards, distinguished university faculty, top-performing employees of large multinational corporations, former state leaders, and more.

Depending on their merits and the extent of their contribution to the South Korean state, certain specialists may be granted permanent residence immediately.

Marriage

The quickest route to acquiring permanent residence in South Korea is through marriage to a local citizen. In this scenario, the foreigner attains resident status immediately and for a period of two years. Following this timeframe, one can apply for Korean citizenship.

However, it's important to note that the marriage must be legally recognized; marriage certificates issued outside the republic must undergo legalisation. Additionally, the applicant will need to meet the standard requirements, which include:

• Obtaining a KIIP language proficiency certificate of level 5 or at least 60 points in the Korea Immigration and Naturalisation Aptitude Test.
• Certificate of no criminal record abroad (with an apostille).
• Family income equal to GNI, whereby the income of spouses and other family members sharing a household (parents, children) can be added up, and the income of the visa applicant must account for at least 50%.

Close Family Ties

If your relatives (parents, siblings, grandparents) reside in Korea and have been citizens of the republic for at least five years, they can send you an invitation to apply for a visa, which should be endorsed by the migration service.

Foreigners visiting relatives have the option to secure a residence permit for up to one year, with the possibility of extending it for an additional two years. After a total of three years, one can apply for permanent residence. It's important to note that the foreigner must maintain financial stability and adhere to the country's laws. A residence permit, however, does not grant the right to work; for employment, a work visa application is required.

Ethnic Koreans

In 1999, the Ministry of Justice enacted the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans Act, leading to the establishment of the Overseas Compatriot Visa (F-4). Since then, the ministry has undertaken substantial efforts to facilitate the resettlement of ethnic Koreans within the country and to offer them employment opportunities. Consequently, an increasing number of Koreans are returning to their homeland from China, Japan, the USA, Canada, Australia, and countries in the former Soviet Union.

An overseas ethnic Korean is:

• A person who was a citizen of the Republic of Korea by birth (including those who emigrated overseas before the establishment of the Government of the Republic of Korea) and acquired the citizenship of a foreign country.
• A direct descendant of the person listed in the first paragraph, who has acquired the citizenship of a foreign country.

If a foreigner meets this requirement, they will be required to furnish official documents confirming their heritage and acquire an F-4 visa, which is valid for five years and permits a one-year stay in the country, with the option to renew at the Immigration Office. When applying for residence, ethnic Koreans must demonstrate financial stability, furnish a certificate of no criminal record from abroad, provide a KIIP certificate, and also establish their legal residence in Korea for a minimum of two years.

These migrants have the option to retain their previous citizenship and bring their families to the country. After five years of holding the permit, ethnic Koreans are eligible for citizenship without having to go through the process of becoming a permanent resident.

Foreigners after Five Years of Residence

Foreigners who have officially resided in Korea for more than five years with a residence status of D-7 to D-10, E-1 to E-7 to F-2 can apply for Korean permanent residence.

They need to comply with the following requirements:

• The total income of the applicant and all members of their family (spouse, minor children, parents) must exceed twice the amount of GNI. At the same time, the share of the main applicant should be at least 50%.
• It is important to present a Level 5 KIIP certificate and score a minimum of 60 points on the Korea Immigration and Naturalisation Aptitude Test.
• Confirm a clear criminal record with a certificate of good conduct in South Korea and abroad.

What Papers You Need to Apply for Permanent Residency in South Korea

The main set of documents for an F-5 visa application includes:

• An electronic application that can be completed on the Korea Visa Portal.
• Colour photo against a white background, size 3.5×4.5 cm.
• Original and copy of a valid visa (the visa must be valid for over three months from the date of application).
• Original and copy of international passport valid for at least six more months.
• Copy of the ID-card.
• Certificate of clean police record (with apostille).
• Documentary evidence of financial solvency: a bank statement showing the available funds or an employment contract indicating the employee's salary and a copy of the company's registration certificate.
• A long-term lease agreement or a title deed of the property.

Depending on the status and scope of activity, an applicant may need to provide additional documents. Some of them are:

• Children's birth certificates.
• Certificate of marriage/divorce.
• Confirmation of family ties with citizens of South Korea.
• Diplomas, certificates and confirmations for employees, entrepreneurs, investors, and so on.

All documents should be translated into Korean, with most of them requiring notarization. It's advisable to have documents translated by an accredited translator or translation bureau, as incorrect translations often lead to the rejection of immigration applications by the authorities.

Children receive permanent residence in South Korea at the same time as their parents. If only one parent migrates with a minor child, a notarised power of attorney with the consent of the second parent is required.

The typical processing period for a residency application is 90 days. The fee amount will vary depending on your country of origin, and you can find this information on the Korea Visa Portal. To schedule a visit to the immigration office, please visit the HiKorea website.

In a Nutshell

An F-5 visa grants foreigners the opportunity to permanently reside in South Korea, work, and bring their family to the country. Various pathways exist to obtain a permanent residence permit in the country, such as through marriage, receiving an invitation from family members, a work contract, investments, and education. When applying for permanent residency, it is essential to have the primary set of documents translated into Korean by an accredited translator.

Cover photo: tawatchai07 (Freepik)