English

32-6 · Permanent residence, overseas Koreans & family stay

High-Value Investor Permanent Residence (F-5-5) Change

Under Annex 1-3, Item 3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, a foreign investor who has invested USD 500,000 under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act and employs 5 or more Korean nationals may apply for a change to Permanent Residence (F-5-5). Under Article 12-2 of the same Decree, the Minister of Justice may ease or waive the livelihood and basic knowledge requirements in light of the investment amount and other factors, but the good conduct requirement is still reviewed. The investment is assessed in US dollars rather than Korean won, and employment must be actual regular employment confirmed by social insurance and payroll records; short-term part-time work or employees listed only on a roster without actual work are hard to have recognized. The application is filed as a change of status of stay with the immigration office having jurisdiction over the place of stay.

HWANG YUNSANG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICESONGDO · 37.3892° N / 126.6439° E
#High-Value Investor Permanent Residence (F-5-5) Change#Official check#32-6
🌐 High-Value Investor Permanent Residence (F-5-5) Requirements
01

Procedure

Procedure

  1. 01

    Check the investment requirement: Compare the foreign investment report records with the exchange rate at the time of investment to confirm that the investment is USD 500,000 or more. Also review whether existing D-8 (Corporate Investment) funds and additional investment can be combined.

  2. 02

    Check actual employment: Confirm whether 5 or more Korean nationals are actually employed on a regular basis by comparing the social insurance enrollment list, employment contracts and payroll records, and organize the actual work and the period of continued employment.

  3. 03

    Prove investment funds: Link overseas remittance and inflow records with the foreign investment report and the foreign-invested company registration certificate to show how the investment funds were formed, transferred and used. Also check that the reported details match the actual inflow records.

  4. 04

    Organize business operation materials: Confirm the business details with the business registration certificate and corporate registry, and prepare the workplace lease agreement, workplace photos and sales and transaction records to show actual operation.

  5. 05

    Check good conduct and easing standards: Check in advance for legal violations and tax arrears during the stay. Do not assume that easing or waiver of the livelihood and basic knowledge requirements applies automatically, and check the Ministry of Justice notice standards before applying.

  6. 06

    Apply for the change: Organize the integrated application form, identity documents and evidence of investment, employment and business operation, book a visit on HiKorea, submit them to the immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay, and submit additional materials in response to supplement requests during review.

02

Filing route

Filing route

Immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay (HiKorea visit booking or online application)

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyCompetent Immigration Office
Statutory and policy authorityCompetent Korean authority or official service
Online routeHiKorea
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 8

If the investment is remitted based only on a fixed amount in Korean won, it may fall short of USD 500,000 depending on the exchange rate, so the dollar amount should be checked at the exchange rate at the time of remittance.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.