You can apply for Tech Startup Investor permanent residency (F-5-24) if, as of the application date, you have stayed continuously for 3 years or more on Tech Startup (D-8-4) status, have attracted at least three hundred million won from domestic or overseas investors or secured equivalent capital, and employ 2 or more Korean nationals full-time on a regular basis continuously for 6 months or more. This permanent residency category is exempt from the financial self-sufficiency requirement and the basic knowledge requirement.
This guide is for foreign founders who set up and run a corporation on D-8-4. How the investment amount is counted, whether earlier stays count, and how employees are proven are covered in that order.
Key Summary
- Applies to: 3 years or more of continuous stay on Tech Startup (D-8-4) status, at least three hundred million won attracted, and 2 or more Korean nationals employed
- Stay: 3 years or more continuously on D-8-4 as of the application date (earlier stays excluded)
- Investment: at least three hundred million won attracted from domestic or overseas investors, or equivalent capital secured (the sum of investment attracted and the company's capital reaching three hundred million won also counts)
- Employment: 2 or more Korean nationals employed full-time on a regular basis continuously for 6 months or more as of the application date
- Exempt from the financial self-sufficiency (annual income) and basic knowledge requirements
- The maximum stay granted at one time on D-8-4 is 2 years, so extensions must be managed while reaching 3 years
1. Who can apply for Tech Startup Investor permanent residency (F-5-24)?
It covers people who have stayed in Korea continuously for 3 years or more on the tech startup category of Corporate Investment (D-8), have attracted at least three hundred million won from investors, employ 2 or more Korean nationals, and meet the other requirements set by the Minister of Justice.
Tech Startup (D-8-4) refers to corporate founders who hold an associate degree or higher from Korea or a bachelor's degree or higher from abroad, or are recommended by the head of a relevant central government agency, and who hold intellectual property rights or equivalent technology.
2. How is 3 years of continuous stay counted?
As of the application date, you must have stayed in Korea continuously for 3 years or more on Tech Startup (D-8-4) status, and earlier stay periods are excluded. For example, if you once stayed 2 years on D-8-4, left, and returned on D-8-4 a year ago, the two periods are unlikely to be added up to 3 years.
The maximum stay granted at one time on D-8-4 is 2 years. Reaching 3 years of continuous stay requires extensions along the way, so check the extension requirements in advance.
3. How is the three hundred million won investment counted?
You must have attracted at least three hundred million won from domestic or overseas investors, or secured equivalent capital. It is also accepted when the investment attracted plus the company's capital totals three hundred million won or more.
| Example | Investment attracted | Company capital | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Three hundred million won or more | Any | Investment requirement met |
| B | Two hundred million won | One hundred million won | Accepted as a total of three hundred million won |
| C | None | Three hundred million won or more secured | Whether it counts as equivalent capital is confirmed case by case |
Proof is made with financial statements, a statement of investment funds brought in, and similar documents. An investment agreement alone does not show that money actually came in, so it helps to align deposits into the company account with the record of capital changes.
4. What is the standard for 2 Korean employees?
As of the application date, you must employ 2 or more Korean nationals full-time on a regular basis continuously for 6 months or more. Short-term part-timers, part-time staff and foreign employees do not count toward this number. Because employment must be "continuous" for 6 months or more, staff hired just before applying do not meet the requirement.
Proof includes the workplace subscriber list for the 4 major social insurances, income amount certificates of the Korean employees, employment contracts and confirmation of regular employment.
5. What is waived, and what is submitted?
F-5-24 is exempt from the financial self-sufficiency requirement, so there is no annual income review, and it is also exempt from the basic knowledge requirement (such as completing the social integration program). The good conduct requirement, including compliance with Korean law, is still reviewed as a common requirement for permanent residency.
Documents:
- Common documents: integrated application form, passport, alien registration card, proof of residence, overseas criminal record certificate (unless exempt from submission), personal surety letter (unless exempt)
- Business registration and corporate registry certificate
- Proof of attracting at least three hundred million won from investors or holding equivalent capital (financial statements, statement of investment funds brought in, etc.)
- Proof of employing 2 or more Korean nationals continuously for 6 months or more (workplace subscriber list for the 4 major social insurances, income amount certificates of Korean employees, employment contracts, confirmation of regular employment, etc.)
6. Common problems
- Adding an earlier D-8-4 stay to the current one to reach 3 years
- Signing an investment agreement without the money actually entering the company
- Korean employees hired less than 6 months ago or registered as part-time
- Headcount or periods that do not match between the insurance subscriber list and the employment contracts
- Failing to obtain an interim extension, breaking the continuous 3-year stay
7. How A-One Certified Administrative Agent can help
We compare your stay history, investment attracted and employment against each requirement to check when you can apply, and organize the financial statements, employment evidence and common documents. The immigration office decides each case, so no result can be promised, and we do not handle litigation or court representation (outside the scope of an administrative scrivener).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply before 3 years on D-8-4?
You must have stayed continuously for 3 years or more on Tech Startup (D-8-4) status as of the application date, and earlier stay periods are excluded.
What if I attracted two hundred million won and the capital is one hundred million won?
If the investment attracted plus the company's capital totals three hundred million won or more, it is accepted.
From when must the 2 Korean employees be hired?
As of the application date, 2 or more Korean nationals must be employed full-time on a regular basis continuously for 6 months or more.
Is there an income or Korean language requirement?
Tech Startup Investor permanent residency (F-5-24) is exempt from the financial self-sufficiency and basic knowledge requirements. The good conduct requirement is reviewed in common.
Which documents prove the investment?
Submit documents such as financial statements and a statement of investment funds brought in that show at least three hundred million won attracted or equivalent capital held.
Related Guides
- F-5 Permanent Residency Guide
- D-8 to F-5 permanent residency: requirements and procedure
- D-8-4 points system documents
Consultation
에이원 행정사사무소 (A-One Certified Administrative Agent) is an administrative office that supports document preparation and filing with the authorities. Fees vary by case and are explained during a consultation. Phone 02-309-3107 · Contact: https://investkorea.co.kr/en/contact