Visa free entry (B-1): The United States is on Korea's visa exemption list, and the stay covers tourism and business visits. The K-ETA exemption for US citizens runs through December 31, 2026 under the K-ETA center notice; unless it is extended again, a K-ETA will be required from January 1, 2027. Paid work in Korea is not authorized on this status, and the F-1-D workcation visa is the route for remote work.
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Living in South Korea long term
South Korea gives US passport holders 90 days visa free, a workcation visa (F-1-D) that became permanent in June 2026 with income tests set at 1 to 2 times GNI per capita depending on age and region, and a settlement ladder that runs from work status and points based residence (F-2-7) to permanent residence (F-5) and naturalization after 5 years. There is no general retirement visa: the retiree tier of the investment immigration scheme was abolished in 2023, and the only pension based status is a permanent residence category for people aged 60 or over with an overseas pension of at least twice GNI per capita. At the top end, the Top-Tier program grants F-2 residence to advanced industry specialists, who can apply for permanent residence after 3 years.
Numbers on this page apply to holders of a US passport. Page last verified: 2026-10-15
Rules change. Confirm the current rules with the official source or the consulate for South Korea before you apply, pay a fee, or book travel around a date in this table.
Every route, with the math
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| Route | Income required | Investment required | Total cost | Processing time | Days allowed | Renewal rules | Tax residency trigger | Years to permanent residency | Years to citizenship | Last verified | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa free entry (B-1) Tourist allowance | Not applicable | Not applicable | No visa fee. US citizens are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA requirement through December 31, 2026, and the e-Arrival Card submitted before travel is free. | No advance visa application. Travelers who do not hold a valid K-ETA complete the e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival. | 90 days per entry for US passport holders | The 90 day stay is not extendable as a long stay route, and this entry does not authorize work. A longer stay requires the correct visa, obtained from a Korean embassy or consulate before travel. | A 90 day visit does not meet the tax residence test on its own: under the Income Tax Act a resident is a person with a domicile in Korea, or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year (National Tax Service guidance). | Not a residence status. Time on B-1 does not count toward permanent residence, whose general category counts years on D-7 to E-7 work statuses or F-2 residence. | Not a residence status. 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea plus permanent residence, under general naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Digital Nomad (Workcation) visa (F-1-D) Digital nomad | Annual income from overseas employment or a foreign business, tested against the previous year's GNI per capita (KRW 52,416,000 for 2025, the figure applied in 2026). Age 35 or over: at least 2 times GNI per capita (KRW 104,832,000) in the Seoul metropolitan area, or 1.5 times (KRW 78,624,000) outside it or in designated population declining regions. Ages 18 to 34: 1.5 times (KRW 78,624,000) in the Seoul metropolitan area, or 1 times (KRW 52,416,000) outside it. At least 1 year of work experience in the industry is also required, plus medical insurance covering at least KRW 100,000,000 for treatment and repatriation. | Not applicable | USD 45 visa fee for US citizens, the flat rate for all visa types in the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA fee table, plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card after arrival. | Applied for at a Korean embassy or consulate before travel; it cannot be obtained by changing status inside Korea. No single official processing standard is published; missions publish their own timelines, commonly about 2 to 3 weeks (reported). | Up to 1 year per grant, extendable 1 year at a time to a maximum total stay of 3 years. Multiple entry. | Extensions are filed at the local immigration office in Korea and re-test the conditions, including income and insurance. The 3 year maximum is a hard cap on this status. | Resident for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act if the person has a domicile in Korea or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year; residents are taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief (National Tax Service guidance). | No direct path. F-1 is not one of the statuses counted by the general permanent residence category (5 years on D-7 to E-7 or F-2 status), so a holder who wants to settle must first change to a qualifying work or residence status. | No direct path from this status. 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea plus permanent residence, under general naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Top-Tier Visa for advanced industry talent (E-7-T and F-2-T) Work | F-2-T residence track: annual income of at least 3 times the previous year's GNI per capita (KRW 157,248,000 on the 2025 figure of KRW 52,416,000), a master's degree or doctorate from a world top 100 university, and at least 8 years of experience including 3 years at a global top 500 company (or 5 years of research after a doctorate, including 3 years at a world class research institute), plus a recommendation from the responsible ministry. The education and experience tests are waived at 4 times GNI per capita (KRW 209,664,000). E-7-T work track: at least 2 times GNI per capita (KRW 104,832,000) with the same education and experience tests. | Not applicable | USD 45 visa fee for US citizens where a visa is issued at a Korean mission in the United States. Applied for in Korea, the change of status fee is KRW 100,000 plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card. | No official standard processing period is published. Applications are screened with the recommending ministry (Trade, Industry and Energy, or Science and ICT for the researcher track added in June 2026), and holders receive expedited immigration processing benefits (reported). | F-2-T grants residence status with free employment for the holder and accompanying family. E-7-T grants a work status tied to the Korean employer. The program is built around eligibility for permanent residence after 3 years. | Status is extended while the holder keeps meeting the program conditions, including the qualifying employment and income. | Resident for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act if the person has a domicile in Korea or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year; residents are taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief (National Tax Service guidance). Program benefits reported from the Ministry of Justice announcement include an earned income tax reduction of up to 50 percent for up to 10 years (reported). | 3 years. Top-Tier F-2 holders can apply for permanent residence (F-5) after 3 years, shortened from the standard 5 years. | General naturalization requires 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea and permanent residence, so a Top-Tier holder who takes permanent residence at year 3 can meet the test at year 5. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Work visas (E-7 Specific Activity and other E statuses) Work | Set by the employment contract with a Korean employer. The Ministry of Justice applies wage floors by occupation as a condition of issuing and renewing E-7 status; current ministry guidelines put the floor for professional (E-7-1) roles at about KRW 31,100,000 a year (reported, Korea Times account of the guidelines), and the longstanding benchmark for professional categories is 80 percent of the previous year's GNI per capita. | Not applicable | USD 45 visa fee for US citizens at a Korean mission in the United States. In Korea, a change of status costs KRW 100,000 plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card, and an extension of stay costs KRW 60,000. | Most applicants first need a visa issuance confirmation number, issued through the Korea Visa Portal on the employer's application, and then the visa itself from a Korean mission. No official standard processing period is published; missions state their own timelines, commonly about 2 to 3 weeks (reported). | Periods of up to 5 years can be granted; in practice the grant tracks the employment contract, commonly 1 to 3 years at a time (reported). | Extendable while the holder keeps working for the sponsoring employer in the designated occupation and the wage floor is met. Changing employer or occupation requires permission from, or a report to, the immigration office. | Resident for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act if the person has a domicile in Korea or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year; residents are taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief (National Tax Service guidance). | 5 years on D-7 to E-7 or F-2 status for the general permanent residence category (F-5-1), with an income test and a Korean integration test. The points based residence route (F-2-7) can shorten the middle step. | 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea plus permanent residence, under general naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Points based residence (F-2-7) Other | No standalone income floor. At least 80 points are required in total, scored on age (up to 25 points), education (up to 25), Korean language proficiency or completion of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (up to 20), and annual income (up to 60, with the top band at annual income over KRW 100,000,000), plus extra points for items such as government recommendations, degrees from highly ranked or Korean universities, and volunteer work. | Not applicable | Change of status fee KRW 100,000 plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card. Extensions of stay cost KRW 60,000. | Applied for at the local immigration office by reservation through Hi Korea. No official standard processing period is published. | Set by the score band: less than 1 year at the lowest qualifying band, up to 3 years in the middle band, and up to 5 years at the highest scores (reported from the points manual as described by the Korea Herald). | Extendable while the holder keeps meeting the points and other conditions. Having no income in the 6 months before applying can lead to refusal of an extension or revocation. | Resident for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act if the person has a domicile in Korea or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year; residents are taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief (National Tax Service guidance). | 3 years on F-2-7 for the points based permanent residence category (F-5-16), which also requires income of at least 2 times GNI per capita in the previous year and completion of KIIP level 5, or 60 or more points on the comprehensive evaluation for permanent residence. | 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea plus permanent residence, under general naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Corporate investment and technology startup (D-8) Investor | Not applicable | D-8-1 corporate investment and D-8-3 joint venture with a Korean national: at least KRW 100,000,000 invested in the Korean company. D-8-4 technology startup: no fixed investment minimum; the test is a bachelor's degree or higher (a Korean associate degree also qualifies) plus at least 60 of 300 points on the startup points table, including at least one compulsory item such as a registered patent, utility model, or design right, with points earned through the government OASIS startup immigration program (reported from the immigration manual as reproduced by practitioner guides; older guides describe the earlier 80 point table). | USD 45 visa fee for US citizens at a Korean mission in the United States. In Korea, a change of status costs KRW 100,000 plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card. | No official standard processing period is published. D-8-4 applicants usually build OASIS points first, often while holding the D-10-2 startup preparation status (6 months per grant, up to 2 years in total). | D-8-1 and D-8-3: up to 5 years per grant. D-8-4 technology startup: up to 2 years per grant. | Extendable while the investment, or the startup business, continues to operate and meet the conditions. | Resident for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act if the person has a domicile in Korea or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year; residents are taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief (National Tax Service guidance). | Several categories apply: 5 years on D or E work statuses for the general category (F-5-1); a D-8 technology startup holder can qualify after 3 years with at least KRW 300,000,000 of investment attracted and at least 2 Korean national employees; and a foreign investor who has invested at least USD 500,000 and employs 5 or more Korean nationals qualifies under the investor category (F-5-5). | 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea plus permanent residence, under general naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business (F-2 and F-5) Investor | Not applicable | KRW 1,500,000,000 invested in the public funds designated by the Minister of Justice (funds lent on to small and medium enterprises through the Korea Development Bank) for F-2 residence. KRW 3,000,000,000 qualifies the investor for permanent residence (F-5) from the outset, conditional on maintaining the investment for at least 5 years. | In Korea, the change of status fee is KRW 100,000 plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card per applicant, a combined total of about KRW 130,000 (reported). | No official standard processing period is published. Applications are filed with the immigration office after the fund investment is placed and confirmed. | F-2 residence for the period granted by immigration, up to 5 years. Investor residence holders are expected to enter Korea at least once a year while on F-2 (reported). | Status continues only while the investment is maintained. Withdrawing the investment early ends the residence basis and can lead to revocation of permanent residence obtained under the scheme. | Resident for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act if the person has a domicile in Korea or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year; residents are taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief (National Tax Service guidance). | 5 years of maintained investment at the KRW 1,500,000,000 tier. Immediate at the KRW 3,000,000,000 tier, conditional on maintaining the investment for 5 years. | 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea plus permanent residence, under general naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Permanent residence (F-5) Other | Category dependent. The general category (F-5-1) applies a livelihood test benchmarked to the previous year's GNI per capita (KRW 52,416,000 for 2025), and some categories require 2 times that figure. Most applicants must also complete level 5 of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program, or score 60 or more points on the comprehensive evaluation for permanent residence; exemptions exist for some categories, including certain doctorate holders, investors, and spouses of Korean nationals. | Not applicable for the general category. Investor categories carry their own amounts; see the D-8 and public business investment routes. | KRW 200,000 permanent residence application fee plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card; applicant guides list the combined total as about KRW 230,000 (reported). | No official standard processing period is published. Decisions are made by the local immigration office after eligibility review; applicant guides report about 4 to 10 months for employment and points based categories (reported). | Unlimited. Permanent residence does not expire; the residence card is renewed every 10 years. | No renewal of the status itself; the card is reissued every 10 years. Permanent residence can be revoked for specified serious crimes, for fraud in obtaining it, and, in the investor categories, for withdrawing the qualifying investment early. | A permanent resident living in Korea is a tax resident on the standard test: a domicile in Korea, or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year, with worldwide income taxable subject to treaty relief. | This route is permanent residence itself. | Permanent residence is a precondition for general naturalization, which also requires 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea, so a holder who has lived in Korea throughout can apply once both tests are met. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Marriage migrant (F-6) Other | The Korean spouse must show income over the previous year at or above the amount the Minister of Justice notifies each year for the household size, a figure pegged to the national standard median income, or satisfy the test through assets. Exemptions apply, including where the couple has a child together or lived together abroad for at least 1 year. The foreign spouse must show basic Korean (TOPIK level 1, or completion of a designated beginner course), unless an exemption applies, for example where the couple communicates in a third language. | Not applicable | USD 45 visa fee for US citizens at a Korean mission in the United States. In Korea, a change of status costs KRW 100,000 plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card, and an extension of stay costs KRW 60,000. | No official standard processing period is published. Marriage migrant applications are screened by the Korean mission, including review of the marriage background statements, health checks, and the sponsor's income and housing documents. | Up to 3 years per grant (reported from the stay table in the Enforcement Decree as reproduced in practitioner guides). | Extendable while the marriage continues and the conditions are met. Separate subcategories cover a spouse who cannot continue living with the Korean spouse for reasons such as the spouse's death or disappearance, and a parent raising a child born of the marriage. | Resident for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act if the person has a domicile in Korea or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year; residents are taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief (National Tax Service guidance). | 2 years on F-6 for the spouse permanent residence category (F-5-2). | Simplified naturalization for spouses of Korean nationals: after 2 years of residence in Korea while married, or after 3 years of marriage including 1 year of residence in Korea, in addition to the conduct, livelihood, and language tests. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Overseas Korean (F-4) Citizenship by descent | No income test for the status itself. Korean language proof (TOPIK level 1 or above, a Sejong Hakdang beginner completion, or KIIP) is not an eligibility test but sets the length of the grant; exemptions cover former Korean nationals, people aged 60 or over, minors under 13, and previous F-4 holders. | Not applicable | USD 45 visa fee for US citizens, per Korean consulate guidance and the Embassy fee table for the United States. After arrival, the domestic residence report and the overseas Korean residence card are handled at the local immigration office. | No official standard processing period is published; consular applications are decided by the Korean mission, and reports, changes of status, and extensions in Korea are decided by the local immigration office. | Consular F-4 visas are 5 year multiple entry visas with a sojourn of up to 2 years per entry (Embassy of the Republic of Korea guidance). Status granted, changed, or extended in Korea runs up to 3 years where Korean language proof is filed, and 1 year without it. | Extendable in grants of up to 3 years. From February 12, 2026 the former H-2 working visit status for ethnic Koreans was integrated into F-4 and employment limits were relaxed for all overseas Koreans regardless of country of residence (Ministry of Justice, reported by Korea.net). | Resident for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act if the person has a domicile in Korea or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year; residents are taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief (National Tax Service guidance). | 2 years on F-4 for the overseas Korean permanent residence category (F-5-6), subject to income, pension, or asset conditions. | Overseas Koreans who meet the requirements for acquiring nationality have their own permanent residence category, and defined groups qualify for simplified naturalization; otherwise the general test applies: 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea plus permanent residence, under general naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Student (D-2) Study | Proof of funds for tuition and living expenses is required for the certificate of admission. Universities apply an immigration standard of about USD 20,000 in bank balance per year of study (Korea University guidance and the official Study in Korea admission guides); the exact amount varies by school, program, and region. | Not applicable | USD 45 visa fee for US citizens at a Korean mission in the United States. In Korea, a change of status costs KRW 100,000 plus KRW 30,000 for the residence card, and an extension of stay costs KRW 60,000. Tuition is set by each university and is not a government fee. | The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sweden states that student visa processing takes 2 to 3 weeks; other missions publish their own timelines. No single official standard is published. | Up to 2 years per grant for degree programs (D-2-2, D-2-3, D-2-4), and 1 year for exchange and certain other subtypes, per Korean embassy guidance. | Extendable while the holder remains enrolled and progressing. Part time work requires separate permission (S-3) and the permitted hours are capped by level of study. | A student in Korea for a course that keeps them in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year meets the residence element of the Income Tax Act test; residents are taxed on worldwide income subject to treaty relief, and the US Korea tax treaty contains a specific article for students and trainees. | Study alone does not count toward the general permanent residence category. Graduates typically move to job seeking (D-10), work (E-7), or points based residence (F-2-7) status and build qualifying time there. | No direct path from student status. 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea plus permanent residence, under general naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Citizenship by naturalization Other | No fixed statutory amount. Article 6 of the Nationality Act requires the ability to make a living on the applicant's own assets or skills, or through a family member who shares the livelihood. Screening examines income, assets, and employment records. | Not applicable | KRW 300,000 application fee for a naturalization permit (figure published by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and reported by the Korea Times). | No official standard period is published. Decided cases commonly take a year or more, including the comprehensive evaluation (written examination and interview) in place since 2018 (reported). | Citizenship itself, with the right to live and work in Korea without any time limit. | Not applicable. Citizenship is permanent once granted. A naturalized person must in principle renounce their previous nationality within 1 year of acquiring Korean nationality, unless an exception applies (for example marriage migrants and certain special contributors); Korea does not generally permit dual nationality for naturalized adults. | Citizenship on its own does not decide tax residence. The Income Tax Act test applies: a domicile in Korea, or a place of residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year. | Permanent residence is a precondition rather than a result: general naturalization applicants must already hold F-5 permanent residence. | This route is the citizenship route itself. General naturalization (Nationality Act Article 6) requires 5 consecutive years of domicile in Korea immediately before applying, permanent residence, legal adulthood, good conduct, the livelihood test, basic knowledge of the Korean language and Korean customs and culture (assessed through the comprehensive evaluation; completing KIIP level 5 is treated as passing), and no threat to national security, public order, or public welfare. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
Route notes
Digital Nomad (Workcation) visa (F-1-D): The visa ran as a pilot from January 2024 to May 2026 with a flat income test of twice GNI per capita and a 2 year cap. It became a permanent program on June 30, 2026 with the age and region tiers and the 3 year cap recorded here, per the Ministry of Justice announcement and the threshold table published by the Korea Tourism Organization. Work for a Korean employer, or other profit making activity for a Korean business, is prohibited. A spouse and children can accompany the holder on dependent status.
Top-Tier Visa for advanced industry talent (E-7-T and F-2-T): Launched April 2, 2025 for advanced industries including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, secondary batteries, displays, biotechnology, robotics, and defense, and extended in June 2026 to professors and researchers in science and technology, including highly cited researchers and authors of representative Science and Nature papers (Ministry of Justice announcements). Spouses and minor children receive F-2 status and may work. On codes: in the Korean system E-8 is the seasonal worker status, not part of this program; the Top-Tier codes in the immigration manual are E-7-T and F-2-T.
Work visas (E-7 Specific Activity and other E statuses): Summary level. E-7 covers designated professional and skilled occupations. The other E statuses are E-1 professor, E-2 foreign language instructor, E-3 research, E-4 technology transfer, E-5 professional employment, and E-6 arts and entertainment. Each occupation carries its own qualification tests (degree, career experience, or licenses) in the immigration manual, and many E-7 occupations also require an employment recommendation from the competent ministry.
Points based residence (F-2-7): Applicants must already hold an eligible status, such as D-2, D-10, or an E series work status, and apply from inside Korea. F-2-7 removes the tie to a single employer: holders may work for any employer or run a business within the law.
Corporate investment and technology startup (D-8): A separate Startup Korea Special Visa track (D-8-4(S)) lets founders skip the OASIS points and degree tests where the Ministry of SMEs and Startups recommends the startup after a feasibility and innovation review; the company must then be established in Korea within 6 months (reported).
Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business (F-2 and F-5): The thresholds were tripled and doubled respectively in June 2023, the first change since the scheme began in 2013 (Ministry of Justice announcement). The former retirement tier, which gave F-2 residence to investors aged 55 or over for KRW 300,000,000, was abolished in the same 2023 change, and Korea has no other retirement visa. A separate tourism and leisure facility investment route in designated resort areas required KRW 1,000,000,000 or more under terms the Ministry last announced as running to April 30, 2026 (reported).
Permanent residence (F-5): The Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act lists many categories. The main ones for this audience: F-5-1 general (5 years on D-7 to E-7 or F-2 status); F-5-16 points based (3 years on F-2-7); F-5-2 spouse of a Korean national (2 years on F-6); F-5-6 overseas Korean (2 years on F-4, with income, pension, or asset conditions); F-5-5 investor (USD 500,000 invested and 5 or more Korean employees); F-5-10 degree or technical certificate holders employed in Korea (3 years); and F-5-13, a pension category for people aged 60 or over whose pension from overseas is at least 2 times GNI per capita. That pension category is the closest thing Korea has to a retirement route, and it grants permanent residence to a person already living in Korea on another status; there is no retirement residence visa to apply for from abroad.
Marriage migrant (F-6): F-6 holders may work in Korea without a separate work permit. The sponsor income and language tests date from April 2014 and the income amount is re-notified, so the figure for the current year should be checked before applying.
Overseas Korean (F-4): For foreign nationals of Korean descent: a person who once held Korean nationality and later acquired a foreign nationality, or a person whose parent or grandparent held Korean nationality. F-4 allows free economic activity except simple labor and activities against public morals, subject to the 2026 relaxations. A Korean male who renounced or lost Korean nationality after May 1, 2018 without completing military service cannot receive F-4 until the year he turns 41 (consulate guidance). Some people born abroad to a Korean parent are already Korean citizens by descent and do not need this visa; nationality should be checked first.
Student (D-2): Holders staying over 90 days must register and obtain a residence card within 90 days of arrival. Korean language study at a university affiliated institute is the separate D-4 general training status, not D-2.
Citizenship by naturalization: Simplified naturalization (Article 7) shortens the residence test for defined groups, including spouses of Korean nationals (2 years of residence in the marriage, or 3 years of marriage with 1 year of residence) and people with a parent who is or was a Korean national. Special naturalization (Article 8) has no residence period and covers people of special merit or outstanding ability, including the recommendation scheme for top talent in science, technology, and business.