Conditional high-value investor permanent residency (F-5-25) is granted to a person who, before applying, has deposited at least three billion won in the Korea Development Bank's public-interest investment immigration fund (principal-protected, zero-interest type) designated by the Minister of Justice, and has pledged to keep the investment for 5 years. As the name says, it is "conditional": if any part of the deposit is withdrawn within 5 years of receiving permanent residency, the status is cancelled.
This guide is for investors considering Korean permanent residency with a large amount of capital, and for their advisers. Even within public-interest investment immigration, the route through Residence (F-2) to permanent residency after 5 years and the conditional permanent residency route are structured differently, so it is important to know exactly what you are committing to.
Key Summary
- Who: a person who has pledged to invest three billion won or more for 5 years or more (conditional high-value investor)
- Requirements: a deposit of three billion won or more in the Korea Development Bank's public-interest investment immigration fund (principal-protected, zero-interest) + a pledge to keep the investment for 5 years
- Withdrawing any part or all of the deposit early cancels permanent residency
- The livelihood (annual income) requirement and the basic knowledge requirement are exempted
- Specific documents: deposit confirmation issued by the Korea Development Bank, proof of bringing in foreign currency (foreign exchange purchase certificate, etc.), investment maintenance pledge
- Money deposited in the principal-protected, zero-interest fund is lent by the Korea Development Bank to small and medium-sized enterprises at low interest
1. How does conditional high-value investor permanent residency work?
In the table of permanent residency sub-categories, F-5-25 is defined as "a person who has pledged to invest three billion won or more for 5 years or more (conditional high-value investor)". The underlying rule covers a person who has invested at least the amount set and announced by the Minister of Justice, on condition of keeping the investment for 5 years or more, and who meets the requirements set by the Minister.
There are two concrete requirements:
- before the application date, having deposited three billion won or more in the Korea Development Bank's public-interest investment immigration fund (principal-protected, zero-interest type) designated by the Minister of Justice
- pledging to keep the investment for 5 years
The designated destination matters. Real estate or investments in regional development projects do not count; only the principal-protected, zero-interest deposit in the public-interest fund that the Korea Development Bank operates on commission from the Ministry of Justice qualifies. The Korea Development Bank lends the deposited money to small and medium-sized enterprises at low interest.
2. How is it different from public-interest investment immigration through Residence (F-2)?
Public-interest investment immigration grants Residence (F-2) to foreign nationals who have invested at least the threshold in targets set by the Minister of Justice, and grants permanent residency (F-5) according to set criteria after the investment has been kept for 5 years or more on F-2 status.
| Item | Public-interest investment immigration F-2 → permanent residency | Conditional high-value investor permanent residency (F-5-25) |
|---|---|---|
| Threshold | General investment immigration: one and a half billion won or more; high-value investment immigration: three billion won or more (principal-protected, zero-interest type only) | Deposit of three billion won or more |
| Investment type | Principal-protected, zero-interest deposit or profit-and-loss type contribution | Deposit in the principal-protected, zero-interest fund |
| When permanent residency comes | Apply for permanent residency (F-5-21) after keeping the investment for a total of 5 years or more on F-2 status | Apply for permanent residency with the deposit and the 5-year pledge |
| Meaning of 5 years | Investment period to complete before applying | Condition to keep after receiving permanent residency (withdrawal within 5 years cancels it) |
The F-5-25 requirements do not mention a period of stay on Residence (F-2) status. What else may be checked in individual review, such as the applicant's current stay status or timing, needs to be confirmed case by case. Whether the high-value F-2 route or F-5-25 fits better also depends on the funding and residence plans.
3. Which reviews are exempted?
F-5-25 is exempt from the livelihood requirement and is on the list of categories exempt from annual income review. It is also exempt from the basic knowledge requirement (completing the social integration program, comprehensive evaluation score, etc.). Other review items that are not exempted need to be checked case by case.
4. Which documents are filed?
Documents common to all permanent residency categories are filed together with the F-5-25 documents.
| Type | Documents |
|---|---|
| Common | Integrated application form (with revenue stamp), passport, alien registration card, proof of residence, overseas criminal record certificate, etc. |
| Without an alien registration card | Add 1 passport photo taken within the last 6 months and the permanent residency card fee |
| F-5-25 specific | Deposit confirmation issued by the Korea Development Bank, proof of bringing in foreign currency (foreign exchange purchase certificate, etc.), investment maintenance pledge |
Because proof of bringing in foreign currency is a required document, keep remittance and currency exchange records from the moment the funds are brought in from abroad. A personal surety letter is a common document, but F-5-25 is not separately named on its exemption list, so confirm before applying whether one must be filed.
5. What if money is needed within 5 years?
Withdrawing any part or all of the deposit early cancels permanent residency. The grounds for cancelling permanent residency also separately include "a person granted conditional permanent residency (F-5-25) who withdraws part or all of the amount deposited in the public-interest investment immigration fund (principal-protected, zero-interest type) within 5 years of the date permanent residency was granted".
The key point is that even a partial withdrawal is a ground for cancellation. Whether withdrawing only the amount above three billion won is allowed is not stated directly, so it needs to be checked case by case. It is safest to plan only with money you will not need to touch for 5 years.
Even after receiving permanent residency, the status is lost if the person does not enter Korea within the re-entry exemption period (within 2 years of departure) or the re-entry permit period. Investors who spend long periods abroad need to manage this as well.
6. Common problems
- Investing in a target other than the principal-protected, zero-interest fund and expecting F-5-25
- Assuming a partial withdrawal after depositing is acceptable
- Depositing from funds in a Korean account without foreign currency import documents such as a foreign exchange purchase certificate
- Treating the "5 years of investment" in the F-2 route and the "5-year pledge" in F-5-25 as the same thing
- Staying abroad for a long time after obtaining permanent residency and missing the re-entry deadline
7. How A-One Certified Administrative Agent can help
We help decide whether the F-2 route or conditional permanent residency fits better, and review the deposit and foreign currency import documents and the common permanent residency documents. We do not advise on investment returns or fund management. 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
Does investing three billion won in real estate qualify for F-5-25?
The F-5-25 requirement is a deposit of three billion won or more in the Korea Development Bank's public-interest investment immigration fund (principal-protected, zero-interest type). Other investment targets do not meet this requirement.
What happens if I withdraw only part of the deposit after receiving permanent residency?
Withdrawing part or all of the deposit within 5 years of the date permanent residency was granted cancels the status.
Are there income or Korean language requirements?
The livelihood (annual income) requirement and the basic knowledge requirement are exempted.
Which documents prove the deposit?
A deposit confirmation issued by the Korea Development Bank, proof of bringing in foreign currency such as a foreign exchange purchase certificate, and an investment maintenance pledge.
How is it different from high-value investment immigration on Residence (F-2)?
On the F-2 route, after investing three billion won or more (principal-protected, zero-interest type) you must keep the investment for 5 years or more on Residence status before applying for permanent residency. With F-5-25, you apply for permanent residency with the deposit and the 5-year pledge, and withdrawal within 5 years cancels it. Which fits needs to be checked case by case.
Related Guides
- F-5 Permanent Residency Guide
- Real estate vs public-interest investment immigration
- Investment immigration refusal reasons and checks before F-5
- F-5 permanent residency requirements
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