The spouse and unmarried children can receive Residence (F-2) as well. Public-interest investment immigration grants F-2 to foreign nationals who have invested at least the threshold amount, or to executives and shareholders of a corporation that has done so, together with their accompanying family, and grants permanent residency (F-5) according to set criteria after the investment has been kept for 5 years or more on F-2. Family members who keep F-2 for 5 years or more and stay continuously in Korea can apply for investor-family permanent residency (F-5-22).
This guide is for investor families preparing public-interest investment immigration who want to plan the spouse's and children's stay at the same time. The family requirements are far less known than the investor's own, so it is easy for only the family to fall short at the permanent residency stage.
Key Summary
- Who can apply for F-2: foreign nationals, and executives and shareholders of corporations, who have contributed (deposited) one and a half billion won or more in public-interest investment immigration targets, plus the spouse and unmarried children of an F-2 investor
- The family files a family relationship certificate (only for remittances by, or status change applications of, the spouse and unmarried children)
- At extension, accompanying family members file a family relationship certificate, and the investment must be maintained without eroding the threshold amount
- Family permanent residency (F-5-22): the applicant must have held F-2 as the investor's spouse or unmarried child for 5 years or more and be staying continuously in Korea
- In a joint application, if the investor's change to permanent residency is not approved, the family's is refused as well
- If the investor keeps the investment after obtaining permanent residency (F-5-21/23), family can be invited under F-2-3 or F-2-13; if the investment has been withdrawn, F-2-3 applies
- Those who do not wish to reside but want to visit often can receive a multiple-entry visa (C-3) valid for 3 years
1. Which family members can receive Residence (F-2)?
There are two groups eligible to change to F-2 as public-interest investors:
- foreign nationals, and executives and shareholders of corporations, who have contributed (deposited) one and a half billion won or more in targets announced by the Minister of Justice for public-interest investment immigration
- the spouse and unmarried children of an investor holding public-interest investment immigration F-2
Children are defined as "unmarried children", not "minors". Whether age limits or dependency are also considered needs to be checked case by case. Parents and siblings are not on this list.
If the family does not plan to live in Korea and only wants to visit often, those who do not wish to reside but want frequent visits are issued a multiple-entry visa (C-3) valid for 3 years for convenience.
2. Which documents does the family file for F-2?
Among the documents for changing to public-interest investment immigration F-2, those directly relevant to the family are:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Application form, copy of passport, photo | Common |
| Proof of payment of the investment | Investment confirmation sealed by the head of the investment-attracting institution, bank transfer records, etc. |
| Proof of bringing in foreign currency | Foreign currency remittance telegram issued by the dedicated public-interest investment bank, foreign exchange purchase certificate, etc. |
| Family relationship certificate | Only for remittances by, or status change applications of, the spouse and unmarried children |
| Overseas criminal record certificate | Issued by the country of nationality or residence within 6 months of the application date |
Family relationship documents differ by country in name and issuing body, so decide early which document will show both the marriage and the parent-child relationship. Whether translation or legalization is needed should be checked case by case.
3. What is checked for the family at extension?
Extension of Residence (F-2-12) for public-interest investors covers investors who changed to F-2 and want to stay while keeping the investment, executives and shareholders of corporations, and their spouses and unmarried children. The requirement is that the investment is maintained without eroding the threshold amount.
The extension documents are the application, passport (copy) and alien registration card, proof that the investment is maintained (a confirmation sealed by the head of the investment-attracting institution issued within the last 5 days, etc.), a family relationship certificate (for accompanying family), and proof of residence, filed with the immigration office for the place of residence before the stay expires. Because the family's stay rests on the investor keeping the investment, any change in the investment can also affect the family's extension.
4. When can the family receive permanent residency (F-5-22)?
The requirements for the spouse or unmarried children (F-5-22) of public-interest (retirement immigration) investors (F-5-21, F-5-23) are:
- on the application date, the applicant's spouse, father or mother holds public-interest investor permanent residency (F-5-21, 23) and continues to maintain an investment that meets the F-2 requirements
- on the application date, the applicant has held F-2 as the spouse or unmarried child of a public-interest investor (F-5-21, F-5-23) for 5 years or more and is staying continuously in Korea
Whereas the investor's 5 years for permanent residency (F-5-21) focus on "keeping the investment" rather than "staying", the family's requirement includes holding F-2 for 5 years or more and staying continuously in Korea. Families who spend long periods abroad should check this first.
F-5-22 is exempt from the livelihood and basic knowledge requirements, and the personal surety letter is not required. The specific documents are proof that the investment is maintained (issued within 5 days before the permanent residency application), proof of the family relationship, and proof of being unmarried (unmarried children only).
5. What happens if the investor and family apply for permanent residency together?
If the applicant's spouse, father or mother is still on public-interest investment F-2 and applies for permanent residency together with the applicant, the application can be made even if the investor does not yet meet the permanent residency requirements. However, in a joint application, if the investor spouse's or parent's change to permanent residency is not approved, the applicant's change is refused as a matter of course.
Applying all at once is convenient, but the whole family's outcome is tied to the investor's, so plan the order with that in mind.
6. If the investor obtains permanent residency first, under what status is family invited?
If the investor keeps the investment after obtaining permanent residency (F-5-21/23), accompanying family can be invited under either F-2-3 or F-2-13. Note, however, that if the investment has been withdrawn, F-2-3 is the applicable status. How the two statuses differ later needs to be checked case by case.
7. Common problems
- An adult child applying as an unmarried child even after marrying
- A family member staying abroad for long periods and failing the requirement of 5 or more years of continuous stay in Korea
- The investor and family applying jointly and the family being refused because the investor is refused
- Missing the family relationship certificate or the investment maintenance confirmation issued within the last 5 days at extension
- Trying to invite family under F-2-13 after withdrawing the investment following permanent residency
8. How A-One Certified Administrative Agent can help
We map out the stay schedule and permanent residency timing for the investor and each family member, and review the family relationship documents, the extension and permanent residency document sets, and whether to apply jointly. 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
Can an adult child also receive Residence (F-2)?
Eligibility is defined as the investor's spouse and "unmarried children". Whether a particular adult child is accepted needs to be checked case by case.
Which extra documents does the family file?
When changing to F-2, a family relationship certificate (only for remittances by, or status change applications of, the spouse and unmarried children); at extension, accompanying family members also file a family relationship certificate.
When can the family apply for permanent residency?
On the application date, the applicant must have held F-2 as the spouse or unmarried child of a public-interest investor for 5 years or more and be staying continuously in Korea, and the investor must hold public-interest investor permanent residency and keep the investment.
Can we apply together with the investor?
You can apply jointly while the investor is on F-2, but if the investor's change to permanent residency is not approved, the family's is refused as well.
What if we only want to visit occasionally rather than live in Korea?
Those who do not wish to reside but want frequent visits are issued a multiple-entry visa (C-3) valid for 3 years.
Related Guides
- F-5 Permanent Residency Guide
- Real estate vs public-interest investment immigration
- Investment immigration refusal reasons and checks before F-5
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