Country

Pathways to South Korean Residency and Citizenship

South Korea

South Korea offers work, highly-skilled, business, and study routes, with a points-based residence track for strong applicants. Naturalization is possible after sustained residence, and there are dedicated routes for people of Korean heritage.

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Ways to qualify

Career & business

For people with a job offer, in-demand skills, or a business to build. Most of these routes lead to settlement, and in time to citizenship.

Korea E-7 Skilled Work Korea's E-7 status is for people hired or invited by a Korean organization for one of Korea's designated professional, technical, semi-professional,… residency

Remote work

For people who work remotely for an employer or clients based elsewhere — digital-nomad and remote-work visas.

Korea Workation Visa This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in South Korea while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires… residency

Investment

For people who can qualify through a qualifying investment, real estate, or business funds rather than a job or family tie.

Korea D-8 Investor/Startup This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in South Korea. It generally requires an eligible business idea,… residency Korea Public Investment Residence This residence pathway is for investors who can commit substantial funds to approved investments in South Korea. It generally requires a qualifying… residency

Family

For joining a partner, parent, or child who already lives there — or claiming citizenship through marriage.

Korea F-6 Spouse Visa South Korea's F-6 visa is for foreign spouses of Korean nationals. It generally requires a legal marriage, relationship evidence, Korean-spouse… residency

Ancestry & heritage

A parent, grandparent, or birth in the country can make you a citizen already — or let you claim it, often without relocating.

Korean Citizenship by Parent South Korean citizenship by descent is for people whose parent was a Korean national when they were born. The key issue is the parent's Korean… citizenship Korean F-4 Overseas Korean This residence pathway is for people with a qualifying ancestry, nationality, or diaspora connection to South Korea. It generally requires proof of… residency

Citizenship by residence

Once you've lived there long enough and settled, you can often apply to become a citizen.

Korean Naturalization This citizenship pathway is for long-term residents of South Korea. It generally requires enough lawful residence, good character, and any language,… citizenship

Other routes

Nationality-specific schemes and special cases.

Korea H-1 Working Holiday Korea's H-1 Working Holiday visa is for eligible young people from countries or regions with a working-holiday agreement with Korea. It generally… residency