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Interested in moving to South Korea? Here’s what you need to know:
South Korea at a Glance
- The country has a population of ~51.7 million.
- South Korea proudly maintains its rich cultural roots – evident through its festivals and celebrations.
- South Korea is located in the midst of three formidable neighbours: China, Japan and the infamous North Korea. Flanked by the Yellow Sea on the west, the Korean strait to the south and the Japanese (Korean) sea to the right, its pine-covered mountains and extensive rice paddies makes for scenic drives through the countryside, especially during fall.
- In the last sixty years, South Korea has blossomed on an amazing journey of recovery from its tumultuous past. Its ever-present ally, the USA, largely aided its victory in the civil struggle that ended in 1953, a victory which brought it independence from North Korea. The love-hate relationship between North and South Korea continues on its unpredictable cycle of friendly tolerance to outright animosity.
- The capital city, Seoul, is the both the legislative capital and the largest city.
- The proud Korean heritage permeates all aspects of modern life and the respectful adherence to traditional customs is still widely followed, both in formal and informal settings. Koreans are known to be proud, hard-working, and patriotic.
Living Essentials
- Currency: South Korean won (KRW)
- Spoken languages: primarily Korean (English is popular as a second language).
- Major religions: Buddhist (23%), Protestant (18%), Catholic (11%), 46% unaffiliated (no religion).
- Major races: 95.6% Korean. South Korea is one of the most ethnically homogenous countries in the world. The largest groups of foreigners are Chinese (~850,000), Vietnamese (~235,000), and Thais (~200,000).
- Largest cities: Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Daegu.
- Climate: very hot, humid and wet summer (between May and August) and a very cold, snowy winter (between November and March) are briefly interrupted by a flowery spring (March/April) and a gorgeous autumn (September/October).
Why Choose Korea
- The high living standards in South Korea are a big draw. Poverty is not a common sight, as there are adequate government resources available to families in need. The average citizen can afford a car, a smartphone (or two), fashionable clothing, and decent entertainment.
- The modern infrastructure and fantastic public transportation systems make life in South Korea all the more attractive. Public transport is clean, efficient, punctual and secure – commuters have a choice of reasonably priced options, which together allow for easy navigation to every corner of the country.
- The latest forms of technology abound. From fully automated home security systems to a well-supported online shopping industry, South Korea simply loves new technology.
- Education is a main priority across the entire country, and the government pours significant resources into the sector. Achieving high honours in education is considered to be important not just for the child, but also for the honor of their family.
- The crime rate is very low, and petty crime is virtually non-existent (even in the heart of the major cities).
- South Korea has at least ten UNESCO world heritage sites and boasts an exciting variety of sights and interesting locales to explore.

Korea: Challenges
Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.
- One of South Korea’s positive attributes is its unrelenting focus on education. This also has a negative side, which may deter foreigners from comfortably settling down into the Korean way of life. The principle that prestigious education is the key to success weighs heavily on the lives of the young people.
– In the West, it is often argued that an all-round education is essential for a child’s optimal development; which includes a steady balance between academic study, sports, culture, music and also time to play (you will not find this same sentiment as part of the Korean culture). - South Korea had the lowest fertility rate in the world (0.78) as of 2022, partly due to educational pressures.
- With 50 million people in a space the size of Kentucky, there’s bound to be a bit of congestion. From motor expressways to the bustling Seoul subways, queues and traffic jams are part of daily life.
- The intense work culture can be off putting. South Koreans work very long hours. In many office settings, employees are expected to stay until the boss leaves (and/or go drinking with coworkers and managers late into the night).
– Note: the 52-hour workweek law implemented in 2018 caps the workweek at 40 regular hours plus 12 hours of overtime. There’s a growing movement among younger professionals advocating for better work-life balance, influencing workplace policies. - The ever-present rumbles from the North deter many from visiting South Korea. However, aside from the occasional flare ups between ruling leaders, the tantrums of nuclear proportions are barely acknowledged by the majority of South Koreans. For the most part, life continues unabated (although military drills are common).
Korea Visa Guide
- A working visa for South Korea is fairly simple to obtain, especially with a signed contract of employment. Visa renewals are also simple.
Examples of visas available to non-Koreans include:
- F-5 Visa (Permanent Residency): allows indefinite stay in Korea without renewals. Unrestricted employment and business opportunities
– No re-entry permit required if returning within two years
– Family sponsorship for spouse and underage children
– Access to social benefits similar to Korean citizens
– Requirements: 5 years of consecutive residence on specific visa types, Financial stability, Good conduct, Basic knowledge of Korean culture and language - Special categories of the F-5 Visa:
– 2 years residency for spouses of Koreans (F-5-2) and overseas Koreans (F-5-6)
– 3 years for point-based Resident (F-2) visa holders
– High-amount investors (USD 500,000+ investment, hiring 5+ Koreans) - F-2 Visa (Resident): Valid for 3 years with possible extensions. Allows employment without restrictions
– Two main types: Point-based (F-2-7) and Long-term Resident (F-2-99) - Requirements for F-2-7:
– 1 year of work on eligible visas (E-1 to E-7, D-2, D-5 to D-10)
– 80 points out of 120 in the point-based system
– Factors: age, education, income, Korean language proficiency - Requirements for F-2-99:
– 5 years of stay on D-7 to D-9 visas
– Good conduct and ability to maintain livelihood
– Completion of Social Integration Program or pre-assessment points - D-7 Visa (Intra-Company Transferee): For essential workers dispatched from foreign companies to Korean branches
– Valid for 3 years (extendable)
– Can lead to F-2 or F-5 visa after meeting residency requirements - D-8 Visa (Corporate Investor): For essential professional workers in foreign-invested companies
– Valid for 5 years (extendable)
– Can lead to F-2 visa after 3 years with USD 300,000+ investment and hiring 2+ Koreans - D-8-4 subtype (Startup Visa) available for technology and business startups
- D-9 Visa (International Trade): For those engaging in international trade activities. Can lead to F-2 visa through point system or study abroad and trade category.
- E-7 Visa (Foreign National of Special Ability):
For skilled workers in specific fields. Can lead to F-2 or F-5 visa after meeting residency requirements - Digital Nomad Visa: new (as of January 2024).
Useful tips for obtaining a visa in South Korea:
- All foreigners staying over 90 days must register with local immigration authorities within 3 months.
- Having a valid visa doesn’t guarantee entry; customs officers can still refuse admittance.
- Korean visas are valid for 3 months after approval and must be claimed within that time.
- Applicants cannot enter Korea while their visa is being processed.
Residency & Citizenship
- Note: if you have Korean blood (e.g. you are Korean-American), you are immediately eligible for permanent residency (F-4 status). The entire process is much easier if you can show that you are ethnically Korean.
– The F-4 visa for overseas Koreans now requires only 2 years of residency before applying for permanent residency. - Obtaining citizenship (naturalization): it is possible to apply for naturalization after 5 consecutive years of living in South Korea.
– Applicants must now complete the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) or pass the comprehensive Korean culture and language test.
Business in South Korea
- The government emphasizes the need for foreign investment and has implemented policies which aid foreign business owners to bypass the stringent legal and financial policies. These benefits include tax incentives and financial support (including cash grants).
- Starting any business in Korea can be difficult for entrepreneurs with no previous ties to South Korea. Many foreign business owners without spousal or family ties to Korea have had to rely on silent partners or tentative Korean ownership.
- Cultural differences in the workplace are glaringly obvious when comparing Korean business culture with that of Western or Middle-Eastern business customs:
- The culture is intensely focused on status. Any loss of standing is considered as shameful and should be rectified or conveniently ignored. This respect-first culture often results in long-winded encounters, which may end without a definitive conclusion or agreement.
- Contractual obligations are considered as guidelines, second to the priority of maintaining a flawless perceived reputation. As such, it is important to emphasize the desired terms and conditions adequately before concluding any agreement.
- Due to the nature of the “top-down” culture, bosses are never questioned or held accountable by subordinates and for employees to attain career advancement, it is often required to do things, as instructed, putting aside family or personal commitments.
- Note: although there is a keen focus on learning English in South Korea, business transactions are still predominantly conducted in Korean, although use of an interpreter is common.
- Update: the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced a 2025 budget of KRW 15.2488 trillion (USD 10.6 billion) to support SMEs and startups, including a new program for AI and fabless semiconductor startups.
Helpful Resources
- Korea Immigration Service – official government website covering the essential immigration info (permits, visas, etc.)
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26 replies on “How to Move to Korea: Full Guide (2025)”
Nice very helpful
Honesty this has to be best guide ever, ive looked at many guides before on moving to different countries and this has to be the best one so far because of its simple and easy format. i love how they simply stated all the improtant information and kept it short instead of adding unnecessary stuff and confusing me 👍
Thank you!
what to do to have a f-5 type visa and h-2 working visa bcoz it’s a dream to go there permanently and work so i’m bit confused about that because currently i’m doing a bachelor’s degree
check out the detailed documentation about each visa type on this page: https://www.mofa.go.kr/hk-en/wpge/m_24976/contents.do
Very helpful!
I really want to move to South Korea from Nigeria to live and work in South Korea and eventually bring my wife and children over. What should I do and how do I start ?
OK, first you have to enter South Korea and make sure you have one of these types of visas (depending on your skills and occupation): Culture/Art(D-1), Study(D-2), General Training(D-4), Religious Work(D-6), Intra-company Transfer(D-7), Treaty Investment(D-8), Treaty Trade(D-9), Professor(E-1), Foreign Language Teaching(E-2), Research(E-3), Technological Guidance(E-4), Profession(E-5), Arts/Entertainment(E-6), Specially-Designated Activities(E-7).
Then, your family (wife and kids) would be eligible for the F-3 (Family Dependants) Visa
More info here: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/gb-en/brd/m_20265/view.do?seq=669274
I also want to go to South Korea to stay directly Permanently, and go there to find a job, what do I have to do..???
What have you tried so far?
What does it mean to invest $5 million or more? I want to move to South Korea permanently and become a Medical doctor how do I do that
Have you been to South Korea? Do you speak Korean?
i speak fluent korean and i want to move in as a student how do i go through it. and how long are students eligible to stay in south korea, if i work while being a student do i have to pay taxes.
Hi, thanks for stopping by. Have you been accepted by a South Korean university?
How can i go south Korea on work visa ? And what all document would require ?
Hi, check out this useful page about Visas and other resources: https://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/index.do
Hello, good morning from Nigeria. I so much desire to relocate to S/Korea with family to work, can you please guide me through?
Hi, what kind of work would you be doing there?
Hello I’m from India
I recently completed my graduation in Arts. I want to apply for Non – professional work visa to korea and want to do a job there.Can you plz tell me what kind of job can I apply for under this visa and what are the education requirements and qualifications to be eligible for this visa?
Hi Harpreet, please see this page for more information about the E-9 (Non-professional employment visa) to Korea: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ch-en/brd/m_7996/view.do?seq=700058
Hi. I’m Cornelia Groenewald. I work as a merchandiser in retail, special grocery stores. I do 3-4 grocery shops a day. I want to relocate to South Korea. Is there any jobs application in Korea that need merchandiser in retail (grocery stores)?
Hi, this sounds like a job that would require fluency in Korean. Are you fluent in Korean?
Am a Nigerian….I travelled to Bahrain, am working with a security company in Bahrain, I signed two years contract with the security company, my contract remained three months to ended and I want to travelled to south Korea, please I want to know if is possible for me to travelled from Bahrain to south Korea.
I’m curious why South Korea specifically? It would be difficult to get a security job in Korea without knowing Korean…
Please
I want to move to South Korea with my family, what should I do🙏
Have you looked at the available visa options for you and your family?