How to Get a South Korean Residence Permit

Atomic Answer: How To Get A South Korean Residence Permit is a critical component of the Canadian immigration framework. As of 2026, applicants navigating this pathway must adhere to the latest IRCC guidelines, ensure all documentation is properly prepared, and meet the specific eligibility requirements. Processing times and exact costs will vary based on individual circumstances.

How to Get a South Korean Residence Permit

There is no detailed information shared by the Korean government regarding the South Korean residence permit. In order to obtain a residence permit from South Korea, a visa that grants residence permit must first be obtained. There is a South Korean permanent residence visa that can be obtained by people who meet certain conditions.

South Korea residence permit types are listed below.

• South Korea temporary residence permit
• South Korea permanent residence permit

South Korea is a highly developed country and has the 10th largest economy in the world. It has the fastest internet access in the world, the longest years of higher education in the world, and very good health conditions, so foreign nationals want to get a residence permit in South Korea.

What is a South Korean Temporary Residence Permit?

South Korea temporary residence permit is given to foreigners who come to Korea with a long-term visa. Temporary residence permit can be given to people who come to Korea within the scope of visa applications such as long-term work, education, investment. People who want to get a temporary residence permit within 90 days of entering the country with long-term South Korea visas must register and get their foreign registration cards.

What are the Korean Visa Types that Grant Temporary Residence Permit?

The types of Korean visas that grant temporary residence permits are listed below.

• South Korea long-term work visa
• South Korea F4 visa
• South Korea investor visa
• South Korea student visa
• South Korea general education visa
• South Korea internship visa
• South Korea marriage visa
• South Korea long-term family visit visa
• South Korea cultural event visa
• South Korea job seeker visa
• South Korea working holiday visa
• South Korea language instructor visa
• South Korea G1 visa

How to Apply for a Visa for Temporary Residence Permit in the Republic of Korea?

Applications for a visa for the Republic of Korea temporary residence permit are made in person at the South Korean consulates in Türkiye or through accredited agencies. Applicants must prepare all required documents for the visa and make a visa appointment at the South Korean consulates in Türkiye.

The visa application is completed by going to the relevant consulate on the appointment day, submitting the documents and paying the visa fee. The visa fee is paid in dollars at the time of application and payment by credit card is not accepted.

What is a South Korean Permanent Residence Permit?

South Korea permanent residence permit is a type of visa that grants the right to reside permanently in Korea and is also known as the Korean F5 visa. The South Korea F5 visa is granted to foreigners who meet certain conditions.

For those who meet the criteria for South Korea permanent residence permit, a 10-year permanent residence permit is granted as a shortcut and the visa must be renewed every 10 years. In order for the South Korea permanent residence permit not to be canceled, it is necessary to stay in Korea every 2 years.

How to Get Korean Permanent Residence Permit by Investment?

Foreign nationals who want to obtain permanent residency in Korea through investment must first obtain a temporary residency permit for up to 5 years with an investor visa and then convert the temporary residency permit to permanent residency. Those who want to go to South Korea through investment can directly obtain a permanent residency visa without obtaining a temporary residency permit in advance, provided that they meet the necessary criteria.

For those who want to invest in South Korea , there are 4 types of South Korean investor visas under the D-8 visa: joint-stock company investor visa, commercial enterprise investor visa, private enterprise investor visa and technology and business establishment visa. The joint-stock company investor visa is granted to individuals who plan to take part in the management, administration, production and technology of a foreign-invested Korean company within the scope of the Foreign Investment Promotion Law, if they invest 100 million South Korean won or more and own at least 10% of the company's shares.

The commercial investment visa is granted to individuals who have established an enterprise in Korea by owning a technology-based industrial design or intellectual property right, while the private investor visa is granted to individuals who have invested at least 100 million South Korean won in companies run by Korean citizens and own 10% or more of the company's shares. The technology and business establishment visa is a visa granted to individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher who meet certain conditions to establish a business. The investment requirements for the South Korean permanent residence visa through investment (F5 visa) are to invest at least $500,000 and to employ at least 5 Korean citizens.

How to Get Korean Permanent Residence Permit Through Marriage?

To obtain Korean permanent residence through marriage, applicants must have lived in Korea for 2 years as a married immigrant with a Korean marriage visa (F-6 visa), have a clean criminal record, and meet the Korean language proficiency requirement to continue living in Korea.

Foreign nationals who are married to a Korean citizen, whose spouse has died or who have been declared missing by the court, who have divorced for reasons that may impose responsibility on the other party, or who have separated from a Korean citizen and who are taking care of a minor child born out of wedlock to a Korean citizen are eligible to apply for a Korean permanent residence permit. A temporary residence permit can be obtained in Korea with a Korean marriage visa , which can be converted to a permanent residence permit if the conditions are met.

How to Get Korean Permanent Residence Permit Through Education?

Individuals who wish to obtain Korean permanent residence through education must obtain a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a South Korean university.

In order to study at a university in Korea, a student visa must first be obtained. Those who have received an acceptance letter from an educational institution in South Korea, who are not guilty of any crime, who have sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of education and living in Korea, and who have a place to stay for the duration of their education can apply for a student visa. A South Korean student visa grants the holder a temporary residence visa.

How to Get South Korea Permanent Residence Permit Through Work?

In order to obtain a permanent residence permit in South Korea through work, it is necessary to first go to South Korea with a work visa and work in Korea for a certain period of time; if the conditions are met, there is the right to apply for a permanent residence permit.

In sectors such as the manufacturing industry, foreigners who have worked for 4 years or more with an H-2 South Korean work visa can apply for permanent residence.

How to Get a Korean Permanent Residence Permit Through Starting a Business?

Korean permanent residence through business establishment is granted to individuals who invest at least US$500,000 in South Korea through an investor visa, and the established company must employ five or more Korean citizens.

South Korean technology and business visa holders can also apply for a Korean permanent residence permit by establishing a company and meeting the necessary requirements. Individuals who have the appropriate visa, establish a company in South Korea , and meet the necessary requirements with a temporary residence permit are eligible to receive a permanent residence visa.

How to Get South Korea Permanent Residence Permit with F-4 Visa?

The F-4 visa grants permanent residence in South Korea to people who have Korean culture in their origins.

Holders of a single-entry F-4 visa, valid for 2 years, must apply for a residence permit at the local immigration office in Korea within 90 days of entering Korea. Those who have resided in Korea for 2 years or longer with a temporary residence permit on a South Korean F-4 visa can apply for a permanent residence permit.

What are the requirements for Korean Permanent Residence Permit?

Korean permanent residence permit requirements are listed below.

• Investing approximately $500,000 or more in a Korean business and employing at least five Korean nationals
• Marrying a Korean citizen or F-5 visa holder
• Obtaining a bachelor's degree in science or engineering or a master's degree in any field in South Korea
• Getting a PhD in South Korea and finding a job in the field of high technology
• Running a business in Korea with a D-8-4 startup visa for at least three years, earning at least 300 million South Korean won in total, and employing at least 2 Korean nationals working for more than six months
• Recognition by the Ministry of Justice of extraordinary talent in the fields of science, education, culture and arts, sports or management
• A person holding an F-2 visa for 5 years or longer must have sufficient income to support himself and his family and understand Korean culture and customs.
• Possession of an F-4 visa for at least two years in addition to sufficient income or property tax payments

What are the Language and Culture Requirements for a South Korean Residence Permit?

For a South Korean residence permit, applicants must demonstrate basic proficiency in language and culture. Those who score at least 60 points in the South Korean language and culture program and those who are at level 4 or above in the Korean language proficiency test are considered to have met the necessary requirements.

What is the Income Requirement for a Residence Permit in the Republic of Korea?

For the Republic of Korea residence permit, the income requirement must be declared to be sufficient for the support of the applicant's spouse, minor children and parents who live and will continue to live with the applicant.

How to Apply for a South Korea Permanent Residence Visa?

The South Korea permanent residence visa application is made by the applicant to the relevant Korean immigration office in the region where he/she resides. The necessary documents for the permanent residence visa application must be prepared and a visa appointment must be made; the application is completed by completing the procedures such as submitting the documents and paying the fee.

What are the Required Documents for the Korean F5 Visa?

The documents required for the Korean F5 visa are listed below.

• Passport
• Foreign registration card
• Completely filled application form
• Documents proving income and savings status, such as employment contracts, pay slips, and bank statements.
• Lease Agreement
• Criminal record
• Level 5 KIIP certification

Depending on the applicant's personal situation, additional documentation may be required for Korean permanent residence applications.

How Much Is the South Korea Permanent Residence Visa Application Fee?

While there is no specific processing cost for a South Korean permanent residence visa application, the average fee for the application process is $170.

What are the advantages of a South Korea Permanent Residence Visa?

The advantages of South Korea permanent residence visa are listed below.

• South Korean permanent resident visa holders are not required to renounce their citizenship.
• An entry permit is not required to re-enter Korea within two years after leaving Korea.
• Foreign nationals who are 19 years of age or older can vote in local elections three years after receiving permanent residence permits.
• You have the right to stay in the country indefinitely.
• You have the right to change jobs and move freely in the Korean labor market.
• The visa holder has the freedom to set up his/her own business.