Korean-Australians who’ve spent 20 or 30 years in Australia and want to move back ask the same questions: “Do I need to restore my nationality?” “Can I just live on an F-4?” “I heard F-5 is best.” But the question that actually matters is — “Which am I eligible for?”
Restoring nationality, F-5 and F-4 differ in status and, more importantly, in eligibility and documents. And, surprisingly, the tax is almost the same for all three.
The bottom line
- Tax is almost identical across all three — live in Korea and you become a “resident” taxed on worldwide income.
- F-4 is the easiest to start with.
- F-5 is the most convenient (free to work, immediate health cover) but has conditions.
- Restoring nationality is very attractive at 65+ (dual nationality).
- In the end, health insurance, work and dual nationality make the real difference.
The comparison at a glance
| Restore nationality | F-5 permanent residence | F-4 overseas-Korean | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korean nationality | Restored | None | None |
| Keep AU citizenship | Only if 65+ | Yes | Yes |
| Work | Free | Free | Some limits |
| Stay | Permanent | Indefinite (renew 10-yr) | Renewable |
| Health insurance (regional) | 6-month wait | Immediate | 6-month wait |
| Tax | Same | Same | Same |
| Difficulty | Medium | High | Easiest |
① F-4 overseas-Korean visa — the popular start
Most Australian-citizen Korean-Australians start with F-4 — it’s easy to apply for, keeps Australian citizenship, and allows long stays.
Eligibility (Overseas Koreans Act, Enforcement Decree Art. 3): ① someone who held Korean nationality and then took a foreign one (with loss/renunciation reported), or ② someone whose parent or grandparent held Korean nationality and who took a foreign nationality.
Documents:
- Visa application form (with photo), Australian passport
- Proof of nationality loss — your detailed basic certificate (기본증명서) and family-relation certificate (가족관계증명서) must show “nationality loss” (report it first if not done)
- Family-relation and basic certificates (extra family documents if claiming through a grandparent)
- Overseas criminal-record certificate — issued by Australian police + apostille (required since September 2019)
- Proof of Korean-language ability — TOPIK, the Social Integration Program, etc. (since September 2019; some exemptions — confirm with the office)
To stay more than 91 days, you file a domestic residence report and receive a residence card (거소증) — which acts like a Korean ID. F-4 is typically granted for up to three years and is renewable.
Downside: some job categories are restricted (simple labour — delivery, cleaning, security, etc.). Restrictions are easing, but if you need to work freely, F-5 is better.
② F-5 permanent residence — live permanently as a foreigner
F-5 is Korean permanent residence. You keep Australian citizenship while living in Korea effectively forever, with no work restriction and immediate health insurance. The main route is F-4 → F-5.
Requirements:
- Stay: at least two continuous years in Korea on F-4
- Income / means: your or your spouse’s income over the last year at or above 1× prior-year GNI per capita (about ₩49.95 million for 2025). Assets (deposits, property) can substitute.
- 2026 easing: strong Korean-language ability lowers the income bar to 70%, outstanding volunteering to 80%, and meeting both to 60%.
- No disqualifiers: crime, fines, drink-driving, unpaid tax/health-insurance can count against you — clear them first.
Documents: combined application form, passport, residence card, proof of address, income/asset (means) documents, overseas criminal-record certificate, guarantor form, etc.
※ The F-4 → F-5 conversion fee is waived until 31 December 2027.
Downside: there are eligibility requirements and the review can take a while.
③ Restoring nationality — becoming a Korean national again
This is for someone who once held Korean nationality and lost it (e.g. by taking Australian citizenship) and now reacquires Korean nationality.
Age is the key
- At 65 or older, restoring nationality for permanent return and signing the oath not to exercise foreign nationality lets you keep Australian citizenship as a dual national.
- Under 65, you generally must renounce the foreign nationality. So decide first: do you need Korean nationality, and will you keep Australian citizenship?
The order of steps
- Report nationality loss (first, if not done)
- File the overseas-Korean residence report (residence card) — proving you entered for permanent return at 65+
- Apply for nationality restoration — in Korea, in person (no agent). Spouses each apply separately.
- After approval, sign the oath within one year
Documents for restoration: application form, statement of restoration, two personal-history statements, family-relation notification, passport copy, residence-card copy, foreign-nationality acquisition document (citizenship certificate — bring original, submit copy), a “closed” basic certificate or a family register showing “nationality loss,” and (if your name changed) supporting documents.
Documents for the oath: basic certificate, approval notice, residence-card, one photo (3×4 cm).
Approval takes about six months on average. ⚠️ Even as a dual national you’re treated only as a Korean national inside Korea (use your Korean passport at the border), and men must check military-service obligations.
Health insurance — where it splits most
Many worry about tax, but the more common question in practice is “When does my health insurance start?”
| Status | Health insurance (regional) |
|---|---|
| F-5 | Immediate |
| F-4 | 6-month wait |
| Restore nationality | 6-month wait |
| Employer-based (job) | Immediate |
For those entering from 3 April 2024, foreigners and returning nationals need six months’ residence to enrol as a regional subscriber (to stop short-stay medical tourism). The immediate-enrolment exceptions are permanent residence (F-5), marriage migrant (F-6), study (D-2), etc. — so only F-5 is immediate, while F-4 and restored nationality wait six months. But take a job and become an employer-based subscriber, and all three are immediate. For retirees moving back, this gap is significant.
Tax is the same for all three
This is the crucial part. Korean tax law barely looks at nationality or visa. It looks at family, home, centre of life and days present. Settle in Korea and you become a tax resident, and then your Australian dividends, pension, rent and investment income can be reportable in Korea too.
So restoring nationality, F-5 or F-4 — there’s no tax difference; what differs is status, health and work. For the tax side, see Am I a tax resident?, for double-tax relief the Korea–Australia tax treaty, and for pension and assets your Australian super in Korea and Australian CGT and the 5-year rule.
Worked cases
- Case 1 — a retired couple, 68 (full return, want to keep AU citizenship): → restore nationality (dual).
- Case 2 — a 58-year-old professional (keep AU citizenship, work in Korea): → F-5 (free to work, immediate health cover).
- Case 3 — semi-retired, 62 (try it out, going back and forth): → F-4 (easiest start).
How to think it through
- How long will you live in Korea?
- Will you keep Australian citizenship?
- Will you work in Korea?
- Is health insurance (early) important?
- Do you need Korean-national status?
Answer these five and the choice almost makes itself.
Closing
Restoring nationality, F-5, F-4 — which is best depends on the person. But the one thing to remember is that the tax is almost identical; the way you live is what differs. Health insurance, work, national status, and keeping Australian citizenship — these four decide the choice.
Read next
- How to bring money to Korea — sending from Australia
- Am I a tax resident? · the Korea–Australia tax treaty
- Your Australian super in Korea · Australian CGT and the 5-year rule
This article is for general information only. Actual eligibility and procedures depend on age, military service, how nationality was lost, your stay plans and personal circumstances. Document lists and requirements change by year and office, so before applying always confirm the latest with Hi Korea (Korea Immigration Service), your Korean consulate, or a licensed agent / tax professional.