Korea's investment immigration program allows qualifying foreign investors to obtain long-stay and eventually permanent residency status in exchange for investment in designated facilities or government-approved funds. The program has two main investment tracks — real estate in designated tourism/resort facilities, and public interest investment funds — each with distinct minimum amounts, managing institutions, and residency pathways. This guide covers both tracks in full, based on the 2026 visa issuance manual.
Korea's investment immigration system has two core pathways:
Track 1: Tourism and Resort Real Estate (관광·휴양시설 투자이민)
Track 2: Public Interest Investment Fund (공익사업 투자이민 펀드)
Combined track (F-5-23): Investors who have split investments across both tracks can qualify for F-5-23 permanent residency when the combined investment meets the qualifying threshold.
Eligible facilities: Only facilities designated by the Ministry of Justice qualify. The list includes select resort condominiums, hotel units, and leisure complex units in designated tourism zones. Not all resort property in Korea qualifies — the facility must be on the official approved list.
Key eligibility requirements:
Application venue: The immigration office with jurisdiction over the investment facility's location. If investing in multiple facilities, apply at the office covering the location of the largest investment.
Initial C-3-1 status: Grants a 1-year validity, 30-day stay per visit multiple-entry visa. This allows the investor and immediate family (spouse, unmarried children, parents, spouse's parents) to visit Korea freely without alien registration.
Path to F-2 (residence): When the investor wishes to actually reside in Korea, they apply for F-2 (점수제 기반 거주 또는 투자이민 거주) and register as an alien. F-2 under investment immigration is separate from the points-based F-2-7.
Path to F-5-21 (permanent residency): After maintaining the investment for the required period with continuous qualifying residence, apply for F-5-21.
Fund types:
Application venue:
Retirement investment immigration: The public interest fund track explicitly accommodates 'retirement investment immigrants' (은퇴투자이민자) — older investors who wish to retire in Korea. The same KRW 500 million fund investment qualifies for the retirement track, which leads to F-5-22 permanent residency.
Family coverage: The investor's immediate family (parents, spouse, children, spouse's parents) can be listed on the same C-3-1 initial status and later accompanying F-2 visa.
Stage 1 — Pre-investment: obtain C-3-1 visit status
Stage 2 — Residency: upgrade to F-2
When the investor decides to reside in Korea:
Stage 3 — Permanent residency: apply for F-5
After meeting the continuous residence and investment maintenance requirements:
Investment immigration applications are rejected if the investor:
The specific minimum investment thresholds and the list of designated qualifying facilities and funds are updated periodically by the Ministry of Justice. The thresholds and approved facility list in effect at your time of application govern your eligibility — not historical figures.
Always verify:
For the most authoritative current information, contact the Korea Immigration Service's investment immigration desk directly.
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Find a SpecialistWhat is the minimum investment to qualify for Korean permanent residency through investment?
The public interest fund track currently requires KRW 500 million as the minimum investment (principal-guarantee type). The real estate track has per-facility thresholds that vary by facility. Verify current amounts with the Korea Immigration Service, as these figures are updated periodically.
Can I earn rental income from the resort unit I purchased for investment immigration?
No. The investment real estate cannot be used for profit-making purposes, including rental income, during the investment period. Using it for profit is a disqualifying condition that can result in loss of immigration status.
I want to invest KRW 300 million in real estate and KRW 200 million in a fund. Does the combined KRW 500 million qualify?
This depends on the current combined-track (F-5-23) rules and whether your individual investments in each track meet the minimum per-track requirements. Combined-track qualification is not simply a total sum — each component investment may need to meet a minimum floor. Consult the Korea Immigration Service's current investment immigration guidelines for F-5-23 specifics.
I am 65 years old and want to retire in Korea. Is the public fund track suitable?
Yes. The public interest fund explicitly accommodates 'retirement investment immigrants' (은퇴투자이민자). Investing KRW 500 million in the principal-guarantee zero-interest fund provides the pathway to F-2 residence and eventually F-5-22 permanent residency. Note that you lose the use of the capital during the investment period (no interest, no rental income), so factor this into your retirement financial planning.