South Korea has a population of about 51.7 million and a nominal GDP of roughly US$1.7 trillion, a G20 and OECD member with a technology- and export-driven economy. Its currency is the won. It appears via its investment-linked residence route (F-2/F-5).
Last Updated: August 5, 2026
Global Residency Programs Report: South Korea
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Introduction
South Korea's Investor Residence (F-2/F-5) Rankings Snapshot
The Global Residency Programs Report 2026 combines five weighted dimensions, each built from its own set of normalised metrics: Quality of Life (30%), Procedure (30%), Mobility (20%), Investment (10%) and Compliance & Credibility (10%). The index is a starting point for individuals, advisors and policymakers to compare 48 residency programs on a like-for-like basis, surface the routes whose strengths match a specific priority, and screen out those that fall short on credibility.
Index | Ranking | Score |
|---|---|---|
Overall Ranking
| 21st | 84.85 |
Procedure
| 43rd | 75.06 |
Mobility
| 26th | 95.9 |
Tax Optimization
| 43rd | 65 |
Quality of Life
| 8th | 88.95 |
Investment
| 46th | 71.52 |
South Korea's Investor Residence (F-2/F-5) at Glance
South Korea’s Investor Residence (F-2 and F-5)
South Korea’s investment-migration route grants F-2 residence progressing to F-5 permanent residence, typically through a public-fund investment scheme.
Programme: Investor Residence (F-2 and F-5) Legal basis: Immigration Act and its Enforcement Decree (Appended Table 1) Indicative minimum: KRW 500,000,000 (approximately USD 370,000) Estimated processing: approximately 6 months
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Legal Provision
| Immigration Act and its Enforcement Decree (Appended Table 1) — immigrant-investment residence (public-fund scheme), F-2 and F-5 statuses. |
Region
| Asia |
Minimum Investment Threshold
| KRW 500,000,000+ (approximately USD 370,000) |
Year of Inception
| 2010 |
Visa-free Countries
| 177 = 110 (visa-free destinations) + 67 (visa on arrival/ETA) |
Investment Options
| Under this framework, non-Korean nationals can secure an immediate, long-term F-2 Residence Visa by placing a minimum investment into a government-managed public fund: the baseline threshold requires a 1.5 billion KRW deposit (approximately 1.1 million USD), reduced to 1.1 billion KRW (approximately 800,000 USD) for retirement-age investors over 55 who also prove a global net worth of at least 300 million KRW. Alternatively, ultra-high-net-worth individuals can bypass the standard wait time via the F-5 fast-track pathway by depositing 3 billion KRW (approximately 2.2 million USD) to receive immediate, direct permanent residency. |
Physical Presence Requirements
| Maintain investment/residence |
Family Member Inclusion
| Spouse, children |
Dual Citizenship Allowed
| No |
Path to Citizenship
| 5 years (residence) |
Average Processing Time
| 6 months |
Conclusion
The 2026 Global Residency Programs Index 2026 makes one thing clear: there is no single best programme, only the best fit for a given set of priorities. A decade of reform has left the sector more transparent, more compliance-driven and more diverse in the routes it offers (from regulated funds and entrepreneurial ventures to lifestyle and long-stay options) so that residency has matured into a credible, durable planning tool rather than a shortcut. Whether the goal is mobility, tax efficiency, quality of life or an eventual second passport, the value of this 2026 GRP Index lies in matching the right route to the right objective, grounded in evidence rather than marketing.
Footnotes
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