Benefits of Expatriate Permanent Residency
- There are no employment restrictions for F4 status holders, but there are some types of work that are restricted, such as simple labor.
- There is no limit to how long you can stay, you just need to renew every 10 years.
- As long as you don’t commit a certain level of crime, you can avoid deportation, which means you can stay in the country.
- You are eligible to vote in local elections starting three years after you get your green card.
- You may be eligible for social insurance benefits such as national pension, health insurance, employment insurance, and long-term care insurance.
- If you’re not interested in applying for citizenship restoration due to tax issues, permanent residency is a stable way to stay in Korea.
Requirements for applying for a green card for expatriates
If you have been living in Korea continuously for two years or more under the F4 visa status, you can apply for permanent residence if you meet the requirements below.
Income/property requirements (optional)
- Your annual income in the year before the year you apply for permanent residency must be at least the GNI of the Republic of Korea. You can combine the income of your cohabiting family members, in which case your income must be at least 50%.
- Pensioners age 60 and older with GNI above
- People who owed $500,000 or more in property taxes in the previous year
- Net worth in the applicant’s name, including housing, house deposit, and savings, is equal to or greater than the national average net worth (KRW 456 million in 2023, Statistics Korea) – excluding debt
- Anyone with an annual trade volume of KRW 2 billion or more or an investment of USD 500,000 or more with a Korean company
- A representative of an organization or business recognized by the government of the country of residence who is recommended by the head of the diplomatic mission.
Who is exempt from the basic knowledge requirement
- Those who have provided proof of Korean language proficiency in the past
- Those who held Korean citizenship in the past
- 60 years old or older
- Graduates of elementary school or higher in Korea
- Minors 13 and under
- F4 visa holder who has been in the country for more than 3 years
Who is eligible for a Foreign Criminal History Certificate waiver
- A person who has submitted a foreign criminal history certificate and is in the country and has not been abroad for more than six consecutive months.
Documents for Expatriate Permanent Residency
- Integrated application
- passport, photo
- Proof of ability to earn a living – source of income, proof of employment, tax returns, business license, etc.
- Proof of expatriate status – ID, residency card
- Proof of residency – deed, lease, etc.
- Criminal background check (if required)
- Basic information for permanent resident applicants
- Identity guarantee
*Documentation for individuals in different countries may vary
Expatriate Permanent Residency Review Period
For regular green cards, the review period is usually 6 months, but for overseas Koreans, it takes about 3 months. If your income, education, and work history are good, you may be approved in as little as 2 months.
If you are applying for permanent residency, you must make an appointment to apply in person and an administrator is available to represent you.
- Registered with the Ministry of Justice
- Free consultation
- 100% refund if visa is denied
- An accurate consultation
- Accurate document preparation
- Provide sample documentation
- An immigration agent
- Issuance of alien registration card
- Foreign Settlement Service
- Consultation of foreigners stay plan
- Corporation/ Branch/ Liaison office
- Study abroad procedures
- A search for real estate
- samples document for preparation
- Living service
- Administration service