Questions by situation
Each answer starts with the conclusion, then who it applies to, the documents and the timing. Jump here from “Choose your situation” above.
Can I get F-5-25 permanent residency by putting KRW 3 billion into the profit/loss-type public investment option?
F-5-25 covers only deposits of KRW 3 billion or more in the principal-protected, zero-interest fund run by the Korea Development Bank. Under the immigration criteria, the KRW 3 billion high-value threshold applies only to that type, so the profit/loss type, which invests in designated regional development projects, does not meet this category. The profit/loss type or the general KRW 1.5 billion+ option is reviewed separately through public-project residence (F-2) and then permanent residency (F-5-21).
How do I prove that my F-5-25 deposit came from abroad?
The F-5-25 document list includes proof of foreign currency inflow (foreign exchange purchase certificate, etc.), so you must show on paper that the deposit is foreign currency brought into Korea. Prepare the foreign exchange purchase certificate from the receiving bank and the Korea Development Bank deposit confirmation so that amounts, names and dates match. If you sent the money in several transfers, collect proof for each and confirm the total is KRW 3 billion or more.
By when must the KRW 3 billion be deposited before I can apply for F-5-25?
The deposit must be completed before the application date. Because the requirement is a deposit made before applying, a planned or in-progress deposit does not qualify, so you file after receiving the Korea Development Bank deposit confirmation. The 5-year period you pledge runs from the date you receive permanent residence, and withdrawing within it is a ground for cancellation.
In what language is the F-5-25 investment maintenance pledge written, and what does it say?
The pledge is written both in Korean and in the applicant's own language. It states that you will keep the investment for 5 years and accept that withdrawing any part of the deposit early cancels your permanent residence. Check before filing that the amount and name on the deposit confirmation match the pledge.
I invested in the public fund and travel on a C-3 multiple-entry visa — can I switch straight to F-5-25?
Not directly. The guidance for the short-term visit (C-3) multiple-entry visa issued to public-project investors states that changing to permanent residence (F-5) requires first changing to residence (F-2) status and completing alien registration. If you have only visited on C-3, plan the F-2 change and alien registration first, then prepare the F-5-25 documents such as the deposit confirmation and pledge.
Is the overseas criminal record certificate waived for F-5-25, as it is for doctorate holders or specific-field talent?
No. Categories waived by type alone are high-value investor (F-5-5), advanced-field doctorate (F-5-9), general-field doctorate (F-5-15), specific-field ability (F-5-11) and special merit (F-5-12); F-5-25 is not among them. Submit certificates from your country of nationality and any third country where you lived 1+ year continuously within the last 5 years, issued within 6 months before applying, with an apostille or consular confirmation, as originals with notarized translations. Other waiver grounds, such as 10+ years of continuous lawful stay in Korea, are checked separately.
I heard public-project investors are exempt from the identity surety form — does that apply to F-5-25?
F-5-25 is not on the exemption list, so you submit the identity surety form. The exemption covers tourism-resort investors (F-5-17) and their families (F-5-19), general public-project investors (F-5-21), public-project retirement investors (F-5-23) and spouses or unmarried children of public-project investors (F-5-22). Even with the same public fund, a different PR sub-type means a different document list, so prepare by category.
Can I get F-5-25 permanent residency without speaking Korean? What about KIIP?
F-5-25 is exempt from the basic-knowledge requirement, so you do not submit a KIIP stage 5 certificate or a pass on the permanent residency comprehensive evaluation. The livelihood (income and assets) requirement is also exempt. Good conduct, the common documents and the investment documents are still reviewed.
Can a dual national who also holds Korean nationality apply for F-5-25?
No. A common rule for all F-5 applicants is that they must not be dual nationals holding Korean nationality, so even with the investment in place this case is not eligible for F-5-25. Confirm that you hold only foreign nationality before preparing the investment documents.
What is the full document list for F-5-25 conditional investor permanent residency?
Common documents are the integrated application form (with revenue stamp), passport, alien registration card, proof of residence (such as a lease valid on the application date), overseas criminal record certificate, identity surety form and PR applicant basic information form. F-5-25 specific documents are the Korea Development Bank investment deposit confirmation, proof of foreign currency inflow such as a foreign exchange purchase certificate, and the investment maintenance pledge in Korean and your language; livelihood and basic-knowledge evidence is not required. If false entries on the basic information form come to light after approval, permanent residence can be cancelled.
If I get F-5-25 permanent residency, do my spouse and children get it too?
Not automatically. F-5-25 has no separate sub-type for spouses and children, and the spouse or unmarried child category for public-project investors (F-5-22) covers families of F-5-21 and F-5-23 investors. A spouse or minor child of a permanent resident is reviewed separately under the spouse/minor child of a permanent resident category (F-5-4) after 2+ years of stay in Korea.
Will I keep F-5-25 permanent residency if I live mainly in my home country after approval?
If you do not return to Korea within the re-entry exemption period (up to 2 years from departure) or your re-entry permit period, you lose permanent residence. This applies separately from keeping the deposit for 5 years, so if you plan a long stay abroad, fix your re-entry schedule before leaving.
Can I withdraw my deposit once 5 years have passed since getting F-5-25 permanent residency?
The cancellation ground is withdrawing any part of the deposit within 5 years of the date you received permanent residence. A withdrawal after 5 years does not fall under that ground, but other grounds such as obtaining status by false or fraudulent means, and loss for missing the re-entry period, still apply. Count the 5 years from your approval date before withdrawing.
Key terms
- Conditional High-Value Investor (F-5-25, 조건부 고액투자자)
- A PR category for people who invested at least the amount set by the Minister of Justice on condition of keeping it 5+ years: a KRW 3 billion+ deposit in the public-project fund plus a 5-year pledge.
- Principal-protected, zero-interest type (원금보장·무이자형)
- An investment immigration option where foreigners deposit at least the threshold in a public fund run by the Korea Development Bank on behalf of the Ministry of Justice; deposits fund low-interest loans to SMEs.
- Profit/loss type (손익발생형)
- An option investing in regional development projects designated by the Minister of Justice with related ministries; it does not meet the F-5-25 requirement.
- Investment deposit confirmation (투자금 예치확인서)
- A Korea Development Bank document proving the fund deposit, required for F-5-25.
- Proof of foreign currency inflow (외화반입 입증서류)
- Documents such as a foreign exchange purchase certificate showing the deposit is foreign currency brought into Korea.
- Investment maintenance pledge (투자유지 서약서)
- A written pledge, in Korean and your language, to keep the investment for 5 years.
- Identity surety form (신원보증서)
- A common PR document; F-5-25 is not on the exemption list, so it is submitted.
- Loss of permanent residence (영주자격 상실)
- Losing PR status by not entering Korea within the re-entry exemption period (up to 2 years from departure) or the re-entry permit period.
About our office
- Office
- Vision Administrative Office (비전행정사사무소 · VISAS KOREA)
- Principal
- Alex Lee (이원중), licensed administrative agent (행정사)
- Licence
- Administrative agent (행정사) — preparing immigration and residence filings and submitting them on the client’s behalf with written authorization (위임장)
- Scope
- Korean visas (visa issuance certificate, change of status, extension), permanent residency (F-5), foreign-invested company, branch and liaison office setup, immigration violation review and entry-ban response
- Languages
- Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese
- Address
- 3F Sungwoo Bldg, 324 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04614, Korea
- Hours
- Weekdays 09:30–17:30 (KST)
Who hires us for this
- Overseas investors preparing a KRW 3 billion+ deposit in the principal-protected, zero-interest public fund
- Public-project investors visiting Korea on C-3 and considering a switch to permanent residence
- Foreign investors unfamiliar with legalizing and translating home-country criminal record certificates
- Investors managing the 5-year deposit together with time spent abroad after approval
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