South Korea•AsiaF-2-5 — Resident Visa (High-Amount Investor)
At a Glance
Varies
KRW ₩35,000
2 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Korean F-2 residency for investors of 500M+ KRW in a state-managed public business fund, with conversion to F-5 PR after 5 years.
The F-2-5 is Korea's Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business (IISPB), a Resident status granted by the Ministry of Justice to investors who place funds in a state-managed public business fund operated by the Korea Development Bank. The minimum is 500 million KRW (300 million KRW for retirees aged 55+, who must also hold 300 million KRW in additional assets).
Holders receive F-2 status with free economic activity and can include a spouse and unmarried children. Investors who maintain the position for at least five years can convert to Permanent Resident (F-5). The principal is returned (without interest) after five years; earlier withdrawal requires departure within three months.
This visa is ideal for high-net-worth investors seeking a guaranteed-principal path to Korean permanent residency through a state-backed public fund.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
South KoreaRequirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Invest a minimum of 500 million KRW in the Korea Development Bank public business fund (300 million KRW for retiree investors aged 55 or over).
Retiree applicants aged 55+ must also hold an additional 300 million KRW or more in assets at home or abroad.
Maintain the investment for at least 5 years to be qualifying to convert to Permanent Resident (F-5) status.
Applicant must not be a criminal, tax delinquent, or repeat violator of the Immigration Act (limited exceptions for cleared overdue taxes).
KEY CRITERIA
Investment
500,000,000 KRW
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Proof of investment
Notification of intended investment
Passport and visa application form
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Pathway to Permanent Residency (F-5) after 5 years of maintained investment
- F-2 status allows free economic activities — no employer sponsorship
- Spouse and unmarried children included on F-2 status
- Principal-guaranteed: deposit returned (without interest) after 5 years
- Lower threshold of 300M KRW available for retirees aged 55+
- No language test or job offer required
Worth Knowing
- Investment of 500M KRW (~USD 360K) locked up for 5 years to reach F-5
- Retiree route also requires 300M KRW in separate personal assets
- Early withdrawal triggers loss of status and departure within 3 months
- No interest paid on the principal during the 5-year hold
- Investment below the 500M KRW minimum (300M KRW for retirees 55+)
- Criminal record, tax delinquency, or repeated Immigration Act violations
- Cannot maintain the investment for the full 5 years required for F-5
Application Process
Contact Seoul Immigration Office (or relevant regional office) to notify the intent to invest in the IISPB scheme.
Deposit the required minimum (500 million KRW, or 300 million KRW for retirees 55+) in the Korea Development Bank public business fund.
Apply for F-2-5 status at the local Immigration Office or via HiKorea, submitting proof of investment, passport, application form, and any retiree-asset evidence if applicable.
After at least 5 years of maintained investment, apply for conversion to Permanent Resident (F-5) status.
Application Forms
| HiKorea Portal (online application) | Fill online |
| IISPB Information (Korea Immigration Service)Optional | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in South Korea
- Corporate Investment Visa (D-8)
Investment
- Long-term Resident Visa (Points-based/Duration)
Residency
- Long-term Residency Visa (F-2)
Residency
Investment visas in other countries
Ready to see if the F-2-5 — Resident Visa (High-Amount Investor) is your visa path?
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.
Start Visa Discovery