How to get residency in South Korea in 2026: every route

11 min read · Published 7 October 2026

Work, investment from $76,000, remote work, the points-based status, marriage and study: conditions, amounts in dollars, timelines and the path to permanent residence

Free consultation

Key facts	2026
Routes	work, investment and your own company, remote work, the points-based status, marriage, study
Investor visa	investment from $76,000 in a Korean company
Remote work	income from $79,000 a year, for up to 3 years
Specialist salary	from $24,000 a year
Registration	the foreigner's card is obtained within 90 days of entry
Permanent residence	after 5 years, or 3 years on the points-based status
Citizenship	after 5 years, or 2 years for spouses of citizens

Data checked: 07.10.2026

In South Korea residence means a long-term visa for a specific purpose plus a foreigner's card obtained once in the country. There are dozens of statuses, but six work for moving: contract work, investment in your own company, remote work, the points-based status for those already living in Korea, marriage and study.

In 2026 Korea made the visa for remote workers permanent and extended it to 3 years. Below: every route in one table, then the conditions, documents and pitfalls for each, insurance, fees and the path to permanent residence and citizenship.

We will work out online the investment or income your family needs and what the permit costs for each member.

Calculate online

Every way to get residency in South Korea: comparison

Route	Main condition	From	Processing time	Details
Contract work	a contract with a Korean employer and a salary from $24,000 a year	fee $60	several weeks	-
Investor, your own company	investment from $76,000 in a Korean company	from $76,000	1-2 months	our guide
Remote work	income from $79,000 a year; from $40,000 for ages 18-34 outside the capital region	fee $60	several weeks	-
Points-based resident status	80 points out of 130 for those already living in Korea	-	after several years in the country	-
Marriage	marriage to a Korean citizen and the spouse's income from $19,000 a year	fee $60	1-2 months	-
Study	admission and $18,000-20,000 in the account	fee $60	several weeks	-
Investment in state funds	from $1,200,000 for 5 years	from $1,200,000	several months	-

Amount from is the consular fee for a long-term visa per applicant, or the lowest investment threshold. Time runs from filing the complete file to the visa; the foreigner's card is obtained after entry.

Contract work

Specialists are invited by a Korean employer: it obtains a confirmation of visa issuance from the immigration service, and the applicant takes the confirmation number to a consulate. The occupation must be on the permitted list, and in 2026 the salary must be at least $24,000 a year.

The applicant is expected to have a relevant degree or work experience. The visa is tied to the employer: you can change it only with the previous employer's consent and by notifying the immigration service.

an employment contract and the employer's company documents
a degree with an apostille and proof of experience
a criminal record certificate with an apostille and translation

The state programme for hiring into low-skilled work covers only countries that have an agreement with Korea, so for everyone else only skilled occupations are open.

Investment and your own company

The investor visa is for someone who has invested at least $76,000 in a Korean company and manages it. The investment is registered as foreign investment through a bank, and each foreigner who wants the visa must contribute that amount.

If the investment is below $230,000, the application must show that the money is working: an office lease, spending on equipment and fit-out, the company's bank statements. The visa is renewed while the business is operating, has turnover and pays its taxes.

the foreign investment notification and proof of the capital transfer
an extract from the register and the tax registration certificate
an office lease, photos of the premises and signage

How to register a company and bring in the capital is on the page about company registration in South Korea.

Remote work

The visa for remote workers is for those who work for a foreign employer or their own foreign company. You need income of at least twice the national income per person, about $79,000 a year in 2026. For applicants aged 18 to 34 living outside Seoul and its surrounding region the threshold is half that, about $40,000.

The visa is granted for a year and renewed, up to 3 years in total. Working for Korean companies and taking local clients on it is not allowed.

a contract with a foreign employer and proof of at least a year's experience in your field
an income certificate and bank statements
health insurance with cover from $76,000 and a criminal record certificate

The points-based resident status

Those already living in Korea on a work or study visa can get a long-term resident status under the points system. You need 80 points out of 130: they are awarded for age, education, income, Korean language skills and the integration programme.

The status is not tied to an employer, lets you change jobs and bring your family, and leads to permanent residence after 3 years.

a certificate of income and taxes paid for the previous year
a degree and a Korean language certificate
documents on participation in the integration programme

Marriage and family

Spouses of Korean citizens get a marriage visa. The sponsoring spouse proves income, in 2026 at least $19,000 a year for a two-person household, accommodation and that the couple can communicate in a shared language.

The visa gives an unrestricted right to work. The immigration service checks whether the marriage is genuine: how you met, your correspondence, trips together.

a certificate of a marriage registered in both countries
the Korean spouse's income and accommodation certificates
a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate

Ethnic Koreans and their descendants from other countries can get a separate overseas Korean status, which requires documents proving descent.

Study

Students of universities and language schools get a visa on the invitation of the institution. You must show money in the account: $20,000 for study in the capital region and $18,000 elsewhere. Students may work a limited number of hours with the immigration service's permission.

After graduating you can get a job-seeker status and then move to a work visa or the points-based status.

the certificate of admission and education documents with an apostille
a bank statement or proof of a scholarship
for citizens of some countries, stricter requirements for financial documents

Large investments in state funds

A foreigner who has invested at least $1,200,000 in state investment products gets a resident status with no work or language requirements and, after keeping the investment for 5 years, permanent residence. This is the route for those who need status in Korea without running a business.

Health insurance for a residence permit

National health insurance is mandatory for foreigners: employees are enrolled from day one through the employer, and the contribution, 7.19% of salary in 2026, is split equally with it. Other foreigners are enrolled automatically after 6 months of living in the country, and the contribution is based on income and assets.

Until then you need a private policy. For the remote worker visa it is mandatory on filing: cover from $76,000 for treatment and repatriation. Students are enrolled in the national system after registration. Choosing a policy is part of our support.

Fees and timelines: what residency in South Korea costs

Item	Amount
Long-term visa, single entry	$60
Long-term visa, multiple entry	$90
Foreigner's card	~$25-30
Electronic travel authorisation for visa-free entry	~$10
Investment for the investor visa	from $76,000, stays in your company
Apostilles, Korean translations, a criminal record certificate	paid separately

Fees are per adult. An investor's capital and a student's account balance are not a payment: they are your capital and your funds. A manager in the chat will calculate the total for the whole family.

In Korea visas are lost over capital that is not working and a missed 90 days

The law does not stop you applying for a visa on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: an investment not registered as foreign investment, an office that failed inspection, documents without an apostille and a Korean translation, a missed registration deadline after entry. We match the status to your income and plans, prepare documents with apostilles and translations, arrange company registration and the capital transfer through locally licensed partners and see you through to the foreigner's card.

The cost of support depends on the route and family size; a manager will calculate it in the chat.

Get a support quote

Common reasons for refusal

the salary in the contract is below the threshold or the occupation is not on the permitted list
the investor's capital did not reach the company as foreign investment or is not used in the business
the company has no real office: the immigration service inspects the premises
the remote worker's income is below the threshold or not backed by certificates
documents filed without an apostille or a Korean translation
the marriage raised doubts at the interview or the Korean spouse's income is below the threshold
past overstays or a refusal of entry

A separate risk comes after entry: missing the 90-day registration deadline means a fine and gets in the way of renewal. We track the registration and renewal dates together with you.

Restrictions for certain nationalities

The law does not divide applicants for long-term visas by nationality, but entry differs. Citizens of EU countries, the US and many other countries need no visa for up to 90 days, citizens of Russia for up to 60 consecutive days, and an electronic travel authorisation is obtained before the trip. Working on visa-free entry is not allowed.

Citizens of some countries face stricter requirements for financial documents on student visas. For Russian citizens there are added restrictions on money: Korea has banned transactions with a number of Russian banks, so the capital for an investor visa and a student's funds must be transferred through banks not covered by the restrictions. We plan the transfer route before filing.

Path to permanent residence and citizenship in South Korea

Permanent residence is granted to those who have lived in Korea for 5 years on a work visa or resident status, have income of at least the set threshold, have completed the integration programme or passed a language exam and have a clean record. Holders of the points-based status need 3 years, spouses of citizens 2 years, and investors in state funds 5 years of maintained investment.

Citizenship is granted as a rule after 5 years of living in the country, or 2 years for spouses of citizens, with an exam and an interview. You must give up your previous citizenship within a year; spouses of citizens and exceptionally valuable specialists may keep it by pledging not to use their foreign passport in Korea.

This topic in other countries

How to get residency in other countries:

FAQ

How do I get residency in South Korea in 2026?

Choose a route: contract work, investment in your own company, remote work, marriage or study. The visa is obtained at a consulate before the trip, and the foreigner's card within 90 days of entry.

How much do I need to invest for a South Korean investor visa?

At least $76,000 in a Korean company per foreign investor. With an investment below $230,000 you must show that the money has been spent on the business.

What salary is needed for a work visa in Korea?

In 2026, at least $24,000 a year for specialists, and the occupation must be on the permitted list.

What income is needed for the remote worker visa in Korea?

About $79,000 a year. For applicants aged 18 to 34 living outside the capital region, about $40,000. The visa is granted for a year and renewed up to 3 years.

Does buying property give residency in South Korea?

An ordinary flat purchase does not. Resident status is granted for an investment of at least $1,200,000 in state investment products, followed by permanent residence after 5 years.

How much does South Korean residency cost?

The consular fee for a long-term visa is $60 for single entry and $90 for multiple entry, and the foreigner's card about $25-30. Apostilles and translations are paid separately.

After how many years do you get permanent residence in South Korea?

After 5 years on a work visa or resident status. Holders of the points-based status need 3 years and spouses of citizens 2 years.

After how many years can you get South Korean citizenship?

After 5 years of living in the country, or 2 years for spouses of citizens. As a rule you must give up your previous citizenship.

What does South Korean residency give you?

The right to live and work within your status, national health insurance, a Korean bank account and a path to permanent residence after 5 years.

Do I need Korean for residency?

Usually not for the first visa. The language and the integration programme are needed for the points-based status, permanent residence and citizenship.

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.

The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.