--- title: "South Korea F-2 · $500k investor 2026: from $300k needed" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/f2-high-amount-investor/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- South Korea · Investing # South Korea F-2 · $500k investor **Investment needed:** from $300k Resident, Long-term Resident with High-amount Investment (F-2) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Investment needed:** from $300k (An investment of at least $500,000 · Foreign investor with 3 or more continuous years in D-8 status, or an officer dispatched to the foreign-invested company by a foreign corporation that invested this amount (3 years continuous stay). An investment of at least $300,000 · Alternative: investment of this amount or more while employing 2 or more Korean nationals. A fee of $60 · Visa application fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or longer; the amount differs for some passport countries and multiple-entry visas cost more.) - **First stay:** 5 yrs (Up to 5 years per grant, extendable.) - **Renewal:** Renewable - **Who can apply:** Any passport - **Spouse work:** Needs a permit (Spouse and minor children of an F-2 holder hold dependent family (F-3) status under the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in South Korea: permission for activities outside their status, limited to approved occupations.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Korea: remittance basis for foreign-source income of foreigners with 5 years or less of residence: A foreign resident whose total period of domicile or residence in Korea is five years or less in the ten years before the end of the tax period is taxed on foreign-source income only to the extent it is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea.) ## Key facts F-2 · $500k investor is an investing route for South Korea. Applicants need an investment from $300k. You can stay 5 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **Money needed:** from $300k - **Government fees:** $60 - **First stay:** 5 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: government fee $60; investment from $300k. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: $60** - $60 Visa application fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or longer; the amount differs for some passport countries and multiple-entry visas cost more. **Invested and held: $500k+ · $300k+** - $500,000 Foreign investor with 3 or more continuous years in D-8 status, or an officer dispatched to the foreign-invested company by a foreign corporation that invested this amount (3 years continuous stay). - $300,000 Alternative: investment of this amount or more while employing 2 or more Korean nationals. **Permanent residence: Time here counts** High-amount investors with at least USD 500,000 invested and at least 5 Korean employees can apply for F-5 without a basic-knowledge test. [Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice](https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do) **Citizenship: General rule: 5 years of residence** General naturalization needs 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea and qualification for permanent residence, plus good conduct, self-support and basic knowledge of Korea. [Korea Legislation Research Institute](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawViewContent.do?hseq=61297) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Needs earlier residence or an existing status in South Korea ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - Option A: a foreign investor of at least USD 500,000 who has stayed continuously 3 or more years in D-8 status. - Option A also covers an officer dispatched by a foreign corporation that invested at least USD 500,000, after 3 years of continuous stay. - Option B: a foreign investor of at least USD 300,000 who employs 2 or more Korean nationals. #### What you must show - The investment is at least USD 500,000 for Option A. - The investment is at least USD 300,000 for Option B. #### After you arrive - Permanent residence (F-5) on the high-amount track needs USD 500,000 or more invested and 5 or more Korean employees. ## What happens at day 183 How South Korea decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 5 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in a continuous residence in Korea** A person with no domicile who has a residence in Korea for 183 days or more is a resident - **Foreign-source income:** **Remittance basis (5 years)** A foreign resident whose total period of domicile or residence in Korea is five years or less in the ten years before the end of the tax period is taxed on foreign-source income only to the extent it is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea. - **Special regime:** **Remittance basis for foreign-source income of foreigners with 5 years or less of residence** · Tax relief [All tax rules for South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 **Full official text** F-2 resident status for D-8 investors of USD 500,000 or more after 3 years, dispatched staff of such an investor, or investors of USD 300,000 or more who employ 2 or more Korean nationals. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4) #### What you must show and pay - An investment of at least $500,000 · Foreign investor with 3 or more continuous years in D-8 status, or an officer dispatched to the foreign-invested company by a foreign corporation that invested this amount (3 years continuous stay). (source 1) - An investment of at least $300,000 · Alternative: investment of this amount or more while employing 2 or more Korean nationals. (source 1) - A fee of $60 · Visa application fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or longer; the amount differs for some passport countries and multiple-entry visas cost more. (source 3) #### Requirements - Option A: a foreign investor of at least USD 500,000 who has stayed continuously 3 or more years in D-8 status. (source 1) - Option A also covers an officer dispatched by a foreign corporation that invested at least USD 500,000, after 3 years of continuous stay. (source 1) - Option B: a foreign investor of at least USD 300,000 who employs 2 or more Korean nationals. (source 1) - The investment is at least USD 500,000 for Option A. (source 1) - The investment is at least USD 300,000 for Option B. (source 1) - Permanent residence (F-5) on the high-amount track needs USD 500,000 or more invested and 5 or more Korean employees. (source 2) #### Stay - Up to 5 years per grant, extendable. - First stay: up to 60 months, decided case by case. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Work F-2 resident status carries partial restrictions on employment. #### Family Spouse and minor children of an F-2 holder hold dependent family (F-3) status under the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in South Korea: permission for activities outside their status, limited to approved occupations. #### Fine print Family status: the Enforcement Decree (Annex 1-2, item 25, as amended on 27 May 2025) puts the spouse and minor children of F-2 holders under dependent family (F-3) status; the Ministry of Justice Visa Navigator of May 2023 still lists them under family visitor (F-1) status. Checked 2026-10-12 ## Official sources 1. [Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Annex 1-2: long-term stay statuses (amended 27 May 2025)](https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/flDownload.do?gubun=&flSeq=152014589&bylClsCd=110201) · National Law Information Center, Korea (law.go.kr) · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2025-05-27 2. [Visa Navigator: Customized Stay Guide for Foreign Residents](https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do) · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-12 3. [Visa application fees for each visa type](https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/brd/m_4502/view.do?seq=715889&page=1) · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Visa Navigator customised stay guide for foreign residents (Korean-language edition)](https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454086/download.do) · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10 5. [Nationality Act (Articles 5 and 6, English translation)](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawViewContent.do?hseq=61297) · Korea Legislation Research Institute (Ministry of Government Legislation) · checked 2026-10-11 ## F-2 · $500k investor and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | F-2 · $500k investor | Needs an investment from $300k | 5 yr, renewable | – | | [F-5 investor · ₩3bn](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/public-interest-high-amount-f5/) | Needs an investment of ₩3B+ ≈ $2.3M | – | Yes | | [F-2 investor · ₩1.5bn](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/public-interest-investor-f2/) | Needs an investment of ₩1.5B+ ≈ $1.1M | 5 yr, renewable | – | | [Jeju property investor](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/tourism-leisure-investor-f2/) | Needs an investment of ₩1B+ ≈ $750k | 5 yr, renewable | – | | [D-8-1 Business Investment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/d8-1-corporate-investment/) | Needs an investment of ₩100M+ ≈ $75k | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the F-2 · $500k investor? An investment of at least $500,000. Foreign investor with 3 or more continuous years in D-8 status, or an officer dispatched to the foreign-invested company by a foreign corporation that invested this amount (3 years continuous stay). An investment of at least $300,000. Alternative: investment of this amount or more while employing 2 or more Korean nationals. A fee of $60. Visa application fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or longer; the amount differs for some passport countries and multiple-entry visas cost more. ### How long can I stay on the F-2 · $500k investor? Up to 5 years per grant, extendable. ### Can I work on the F-2 · $500k investor? F-2 resident status carries partial restrictions on employment. ### Can I bring my family on the F-2 · $500k investor? Spouse and minor children of an F-2 holder hold dependent family (F-3) status under the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act. ### Does the F-2 · $500k investor lead to permanent residence in South Korea? Time on the F-2 · $500k investor counts toward permanent residence in South Korea. The general rule for citizenship is 5 years of residence. ### Is there a tax break for F-2 · $500k investor holders in South Korea? Korea: remittance basis for foreign-source income of foreigners with 5 years or less of residence: A foreign resident whose total period of domicile or residence in Korea is five years or less in the ten years before the end of the tax period is taxed on foreign-source income only to the extent it is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Tax Special regime ### [Korea: remittance basis for foreign-source income of foreigners with 5 years or less of residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/tax/#tax-kr-foreign-source-remittance-basis) Tax relief Foreign-source income: Remittance basis (5 years) **Details** - On: Foreign-source income that is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea - Who: Foreign national (not a Korean citizen) who is a Korean tax resident A foreign resident whose total period of domicile or residence in Korea is five years or less in the ten years before the end of the tax period is taxed on foreign-source income only to the extent it is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea. #### Taxed on Foreign-source income that is paid in Korea or remitted to Korea; Korean-source income and all other income is taxed in full under the progressive income tax. #### Who it applies to - Foreign national (not a Korean citizen) who is a Korean tax resident. - Sum of periods with a domicile or residence in Korea over the 10 years before the end of the taxable period is 5 years or less. - Resident means having a domicile in Korea or a residence of 183 days or more. #### Exclusions - After more than five years of domicile or residence within the ten-year look-back, foreign-source income is taxed on a worldwide basis as for Korean residents. - Income not paid or remitted into Korea stays outside the Korean base for qualifying foreigners. #### Days in the country - At least 183 days in continuous residence in Korea · A person with no domicile who has a residence in Korea for 183 days or more is a resident #### Tax residence The five-year test is counted over the ten years before the end of the relevant taxable period; non-residents are taxed only on Korean-source income (article 3(2)). #### Visas Applies by tax residence status and nationality, not by visa category. #### Other taxes Local income tax, VAT and social insurance apply separately; see “Optional flat tax rate for foreign employees” and “Korea progressive comprehensive income tax rates” for employment tax rates. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/tax/) ## More in South Korea [Top-Tier · science](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/f2t-top-tier-science/) [Working Holiday (H-1)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/working-holiday-h1/) [Workcation visa (F-1-D)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/f1d-digital-nomad/) [Startup Korea Special (D-8-4)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/d8-4s-startup/) [D-8 Tech Start-up](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/d8-tech-startup/) [Job Seeker (D-10)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/d10-job-seeker/) [Special Occupation (E-7)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/e7-special-activity/) [Top-Tier · industry job](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/f2t-top-tier-talent/) ## Investment visas elsewhere [🇹🇭 Investor stay · THB 10M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/investor-stay-2yr-10m/) [🇮🇩 Golden Visa · Branch head $25M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e28d-branch-investor-golden/) [🇦🇪 Golden · Humanitarian donor](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-humanitarian-supporter/) [🇸🇬 Global Investor Programme](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/global-investor-programme/) [🇲🇾 Premium Visa (PVIP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/pvip/) [🇻🇳 Investor visa ĐT1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/vietnam/investor-dt1/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, Annex 1-2: long-term stay statuses (amended 27 May 2025)](https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/flDownload.do?gubun=&flSeq=152014589&bylClsCd=110201) · National Law Information Center, Korea (law.go.kr) · checked 2026-10-12 2. [Visa Navigator: Customized Stay Guide for Foreign Residents](https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do) · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-12 3. [Visa application fees for each visa type](https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/brd/m_4502/view.do?seq=715889&page=1) · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Visa Navigator customised stay guide for foreign residents (Korean-language edition)](https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454086/download.do) · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10 5. [Nationality Act (Articles 5 and 6, English translation)](https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawViewContent.do?hseq=61297) · Korea Legislation Research Institute (Ministry of Government Legislation) · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.