How to Move to Korea: Full Guide (2025)

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Interested in moving to South Korea? Here’s what you need to know:

🇰🇷 South Korea at a Glance

• Population: About 51.7 million people call South Korea home.
• Culture: A rich, vibrant heritage shines through in festivals and daily life.
• Location: Neighboring China, Japan, and North Korea; surrounded by the Yellow Sea, Korean Strait, and Japanese (Korean) Sea; famous for pine-covered mountains and endless rice paddies—take a drive in autumn!
• Recent History: In just 60 years, South Korea has transformed, with major help from the USA after the 1950s civil war. Independence from North Korea was achieved in 1953, but relations with the North shift from tense to tolerant.
• Capital: Seoul—both the largest city and government center.
• Traditions: Customs and respect are big here. Koreans are famous for being proud, hardworking, and patriotic.

🏠 Living Essentials

• Currency: South Korean won (KRW)
• Languages: Korean is king; English is also widely spoken as a second language.
• Major Religions: Buddhist (23%), Protestant (18%), Catholic (11%), and almost half (46%) with no religion.
• Ethnicity: Roughly 95.6% Korean—one of the world’s most homogenous nations. Largest expat communities: Chinese (~850,000), Vietnamese (~235,000), Thais (~200,000).
• Big Cities: Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu
• Climate: Hot, humid, rainy summers (May–August). Cold, snowy winters (November–March). Enjoy flower-filled springs (March/April) and colorful autumns (September/October).

🤔 Why Choose Korea

• High Standard of Living: Poverty is rare; most people can afford modern comforts like cars, smartphones, and entertainment.
• Public Transportation: Clean, efficient, and safe—getting around is a breeze with many affordable options.
• Tech-Savvy: Cutting-edge technology everywhere—from smart homes to top-tier online shopping.
• Education: Top national priority! Success is measured by academic achievement, seen as family honor.
• Safety: Very low crime; even major cities feel secure with petty crime nearly nonexistent.
• Sights: At least 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites and plenty of amazing places to explore.

⚠️ Korea: Challenges

Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.

• Education Pressure: Intense academic focus shapes life—less emphasis on a balanced, all-round childhood compared to Western cultures. Kids work hard and play less.
• Fertility Rate: World’s lowest fertility rate (0.78 in 2022), linked to heavy academic pressure.
• Crowds: With over 50 million people in an area the size of Kentucky, expect congestion! Busy subways, traffic jams, and long lines are everyday stuff.
• Work Culture: Long work hours are normal; many stay until the boss leaves or join after-work outings. New labor laws cap the workweek at 52 hours, and a push for better work-life balance is gaining momentum among young professionals.
• North Korea Tensions: Regular news headline, occasional military drills—but for most South Koreans, life rolls on as usual. North-South issues rarely affect daily living.

🛂 Korea Visa Guide

• Working visas for South Korea are simple to obtain, especially with a signed employment contract
• Visa renewals are also straightforward

Common Korean Visa Types:

• F-5 (Permanent Residency):
  • Stay forever! No renewals needed
  • Unlimited work & business opportunities
  • No re-entry permit needed if returning within two years
  • Sponsor family (spouse & underage kids)
  • Social benefits similar to citizens
  • Requirements: 5 years on specific visas, financial stability, good conduct, basic Korean knowledge
• F-5 Special Categories:
  • 2 years residency for spouses of Koreans (F-5-2) or overseas Koreans (F-5-6)
  • 3 years residency for point-based F-2 residents (F-2)
  • Big investors: USD 500,000+ plus hiring 5+ Koreans
• F-2 (Resident Visa):
  • Valid for 3 years, extensions possible
  • Work with no restrictions
  • Main types: Point-based (F-2-7) and Long-term (F-2-99)
  • F-2-7 Requirements:
    • 1 year of work (E-1-E-7, D-2, D-5-D-10 visas)
    • 80 points (out of 120): age, education, income, Korean proficiency
  • F-2-99 Requirements:
    • 5 years on D-7 to D-9 visas
    • Good conduct & financial stability
    • Complete Social Integration Program or get enough pre-assessment points
• D-7 (Intra-Company Transferee):
  • For workers sent to Korean branches
  • Valid for 3 years (extendable)
  • Can lead to F-2 or F-5 after residency requirements
• D-8 (Corporate Investor):
  • For key staff at foreign-invested companies
  • Valid for 5 years (extendable)
  • F-2 option after 3 years, USD 300,000+ investment, hiring 2+ Koreans
  • D-8-4: Startup Visa for tech/business startups
• D-9 (International Trade):
  • For international trade roles
  • Can switch to F-2 via the points system or special categories
• E-7 (Special Ability):
  • For skilled workers in specialized fields
  • F-2 or F-5 possible with enough residency
• Digital Nomad Visa:
  • Brand new! As of January 2024

Must-Know Visa Tips for Korea:

• Register within 3 months if staying over 90 days (with local immigration)
• Visa ≠ entry guarantee: Customs officers have final say
• Visas are valid 3 months after approval; claim yours in that window!
• No entering Korea during visa processing

🛬 Residency & Citizenship

• Korean heritage? (e.g., Korean-American)
  • Fast lane: Eligible right away for permanent residency (F-4 status)
  • Only 2 years required as an overseas Korean for full PR
• Citizenship (Naturalization):
  • 5 consecutive years of residence required
  • Must complete the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) or pass the Korean culture/language test

💼 Business in South Korea

• Govt supports foreign investment – enjoy tax incentives and financial help (including cash)
• Starting a business can be tricky without local ties. Many non-Koreans need silent partners or Korean co-owners
• Culture shock alert:
  • Status matters—a lot!
  • Appearance > contracts: Reputation sometimes trumps written deals
  • Top-down: Bosses are rarely questioned; following instructions often outweighs personal needs
• Business mostly in Korean—interpreters welcome!
• 2025 Update: Big support! Ministry of SMEs and Startups has a USD 10.6 billion budget for startups, including an AI/semiconductor program

📚 Helpful Resources

• Korea Immigration Service – The official site for everything visas, permits, and immigration info.
• Job Korea – Korea’s largest employment site (10 million+ members), offering extensive listings, including English-language roles and insight tools

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