Residence Permit in South Korea: Visa Types and Procedure

Discover in this article a few key aspects related to obtaining a residence permit in Korea. We have a team of immigration lawyers in South Korea who will help you apply for such a permit.

Quick Facts
Temporary residence permit types	– temporary and long-term residence visas, – work permits, – business visas, – investor visas, – family reunion visas
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.)	The minimum period is 20 days, however, it can take up to a few months to be issued a residence card.
Temporary residence permit validity	The minimum validity of a Korean residence permit is one year.
Documents for obtaining temporary residence	– valid passport, – application form, – passport photo, – other documents in accordance with the reason for immigration
Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register)	Local immigration office
Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No)	Yes, spouses and minor children of most professional and investor visa holders (e.g. D-8, E-7) can obtain an F-3 dependent visa.
Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes	F2 visa
Type of investment available for residency purposes	Business creation
Minimum investment amount	KRW 500 million (approx. USD 370,000)
Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence	5 years
Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country	2 years of living in South Korea and having a good knowledge of the language
Documents for obtaining permanent residence	– alien residence card, – valid passport, – proof of income earned in South Korea, – clean criminal record, – other documents based on the reason for immigration
Naturalization requirements	Living in South Korea as a permanent resident
Citizenship after permanent residence	General naturalization requires 5 years of continuous domicile in Korea and holding permanent residence (F-5) at the time of application.
Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No)	Only in limited cases (e.g. marriage migrants, persons of special talent, ethnic Koreans over 65), with a pledge not to exercise the foreign nationality in Korea.
Entry visa requirement (YES/NO)	Entry visas are required for people staying in Korea for more than 3 months.
Residency based on work visa (YES/NO)	Yes
Types of work visas	– E-1 professor visa, – E-2 for foreign language instructors, – E-3 for research activities, – E-4 for technological guidance, – E-5 for special professions, – E-6 for cultural and artistic activities, – E-7 for specially designed activities
Requirements for obtaining residency through family reunion	Being married to a Korean citizen, being a child of a Korean resident
Residence through real estate purchase (YES/NO)	No
Temporary residence permit renewal requirements	The renewal application can be filed 4 months before expiry.
Requirements for residency by employment	Having an employment contract
Access to a digital nomad visa (YES/NO)	Yes, starting with January 2024
Other means to obtain residency in Korea (if any)	– studentship, – as a job seeker
Rights associated with becoming a Korean resident	– indefinite stay in the country, – no job restrictions, – possibility to create a business, – exit and enter South Korea without a visa
When to apply for a resident card after entering Korea	The application for a resident permit must be filed no later than 3 months after entering the country.
Timeframe to have a Korean residence card issued (approx.)	It can take between 20 days and 3 months, depending on the reason for immigration.
Quickest way to secure a residence permit	Marriage to a South Korean national, however, the residence permit has a 2-year validity in this case.
Support in applying for residence permit (YES/NO)	Yes
Other services available	We also offer residence permit renewal and citizenship application services.

Is it hard to obtain a residence permit in Korea in 2026?

No, given the fact that the Korean authorities have created various types of visas to enable foreign citizens to relocate here for various reasons.

What are the ways to obtain residency in Korea?

People who want to immigrate to Korea have several types of residence permits they can apply for. Here is how you can relocate here:

work visa;
student visa;
investment visa;
family reunification visa.

How can I obtain residency in Korea based on employment?

With the following visas, you can work for more than 90 days:

the E-1 professor visa;
the E-2 visa for a teacher of foreign languages;
the E-4 visa is issued for technological guidance;
the E-5 visa for special professional staff;
the E-6 visa for artistic and cultural activities;
the E-7 visa for specific tasks;
the D-5 for journalists;
the D-8-4 visa, also known as the Startup Visa for Technology and Business;
the D-10-2 business start-up visa;
the D-8-1 investment visa.

Here is our infographic on this subject:

Is it possible to obtain residency by marriage in South Korea?

Yes, it is. The following categories of people can apply for residency by marriage in Korea:

foreign citizens who are currently married to Korean nationals;
widowers of Korean citizens;
foreign citizens who have divorced Korean ones, and who can prove the Korean spouse was at fault for the divorce;
foreign women who had children with Korean citizens without being married to them.

IMPORTANT! Please note that marriage alone is not sufficient to obtain Korean residency, as additional requirements, such as continuous residence, basic knowledge of the Korean language, and income conditions, also apply. We strongly advise discussing this immigration option with our local specialists.

How long does it take for a Korean temporary residence permit to be issued?

The procedure takes between 2 and 4 weeks; however, if additional checks are required, the procedure may be prolonged to up to 3 months.

IMPORTANT! Please note that you must submit the documents for the permit to be issued.

We also have a video on this topic:

Can I change my visa status in South Korea?

Yes, you can do so if you have entered Korea based on a student visa and want to apply for a work permit, or if you are a migrant worker who came here based on a seasonal work visa and now want to convert it into a long-term residence permit.

What are the conditions to become eligible for permanent residency in South Korea?

Adults can become eligible for permanent residency if they have lived in the country with an F-2 status for more than five years and meet the following criteria:

they are financially able to sustain themselves and their families;
they can prove they have good behavior and respect the local traditions of Korea.

Individuals who have invested in excess of USD 500,000 in the country and have lived in this jurisdiction with a D-8 status for at least three years, while generating employment opportunities for local citizens, are also eligible for permanent residency. Our Korean company formation consultants can offer more information related to this matter.

What are the documents required for obtaining a permanent residence card in Korea in 2026?

When it comes to immigration to Korea and obtaining a permanent residence permit in 2026, the following documents are required:

an application form;
an alien registration card;
a valid passport;
a passport photo;
other documents.

How long does it take for a permanent residence permit to be issued in South Korea?

After the application is accepted, you can have your permanent residence card issued in about a month.

What are my rights after obtaining permanent residency in South Korea?

South Korea grants two important rights that cannot be found in other countries after becoming a permanent resident:

you can exit the country for maximum 2 years without applying for a re-entry permission;
you can vote in local elections after minimum 3 years of permanent residency if you are at least 18 years old.

If you require further details about obtaining a residence permit in Korea, or for assistance in starting a business in Korea, please get in touch with us. We can also help you get in touch with lawyers in other countries if you need legal services for immigration.