More than 300 South Koreans arrested in a surprise raid by immigration officers on a Hyundai factory in the US state of Georgia last week will be allowed to return home on Friday, the US government said.

The workers are returning home after the country's president and Hyundai's CEO warned of the impact the arrests would have on investment.

The South Korean plane carrying the workers and 14 non-Korean workers detained at the factory took off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at noon on Thursday.

A South Korean citizen is said to have chosen to remain in the United States to obtain permanent residency.

The plane is expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport at noon on Friday.