20 14 in may, the Korean government began to implement the investment immigration settlement plan. Applicants can obtain permanent residency through government funds set up by the Republic of Korea Financial Company, which invests in Korean government units.
The government calls this fund "public investment and immigration fund" and guarantees to return the principal at the expiration of five years. Investors need to maintain an investment of 500 million won (US$ 470,000) for five years.
Investors over the age of 55 only need to keep their investment of 300 million won (equivalent to 280,000 US dollars) for five years. Investors over the age of 55 must provide cash assets totaling 500 million won (covering investments of 300 million won) when applying for changing their permanent residence status in the fifth year.
Once the Korean government confirms and accepts your application and investment, you and your family will get a long-term residence visa in Korea, and you can live, work and travel freely in Korea. At the end of the five-year investment, the Korean government will return all your investment capital and issue a Korean permanent resident visa. You will be eligible to become a Korean citizen when you have reached the required residence period.