Business Visas — Korea
Starting a Business in Korea as a Foreigner
Korea welcomes foreign entrepreneurs, investors, and startup founders. Your path depends on how much capital you're investing, whether you're an individual founder or a company, and whether you're already in Korea. This guide covers every visa option.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed October 2026
Which Visa Is Right for You?
Established businesses making a significant Korean investment
Min. Capital
₩100M (10%+ of voting shares)
Stay
Up to 5 years per grant (renewable)
Hire Staff
Yes
Leads To
F-5-1 or F-5-5
Solo founders launching a tech/innovation startup without large capital
Min. Capital
None (points-based)
Stay
Up to 2 years per grant (renewable)
Hire Staff
Yes
Leads To
F-5-24 after 3 years
⚠️ Needs a Korean corporation with completed corporate and business registration
Running a trading or other business in Korea, or installing export equipment or supervising ship construction
Min. Capital
₩300M for individual business owners
Stay
Up to 2 years per grant (renewable)
Hire Staff
Yes
Leads To
F-5-1 after 5 years (with export or sales thresholds)
⚠️ Staff sent to a foreign company's Korean branch office use D-7, not D-9
Pre-revenue founders preparing to launch — scouting, OASIS training, early product development
Min. Capital
None
Stay
Max 1–3 years
Hire Staff
No
Leads To
D-8-4
⚠️ Cannot formally operate a business — preparation stage only
D-8 Visa — All 4 Subtypes Explained
The D-8 visa has four subtypes, plus the Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4S).
Investment in a Korean Corporation
Foreign investors who manage a Korean corporation they invested in, and essential specialist staff sent to it (not staff hired in Korea)
₩100M+ invested, holding 10%+ of the voting shares (or under an officer-dispatch or similar contract)
A Korean corporation that is already established, under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act
Applicant manages the company or works in it as essential specialist staff
The investment is normally in the investor's own name (a spouse's or minor children's names also count; for ₩300M+ investors, parents' names too)
Venture Investment
Founders of a Korean venture business with strong technology, such as intellectual property
Founder or CEO of a company certified as a venture business (or pre-venture business), or rated as having excellent technology
Venture certification by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KIBO), the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency or the Korea Venture Capital Association; technology ratings by KIBO or the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency
Pre-venture businesses count: those preparing to incorporate, or within 6 months of founding
Stay up to 2 years per grant
Investment in a Korean Individual's Business
Foreigners who co-invest in a business run by a Korean individual
The business is run by a Korean national (an individual, not a corporation)
₩100M+ invested, for 10%+ of the total contributions
Listed with the Korean owner as joint representative on the business registration
The Korean partner's business capital is also ₩100M+
Technology Startup (Points-based)
Founders of a Korean corporation built on intellectual property or similar technology
Score ≥ 60/300 on the D-8-4 points test, with at least one mandatory item
An associate degree or higher from Korea, a bachelor's degree or higher from abroad, or a recommendation from a central government agency
A Korean corporation, with corporate and business registration completed
Certain categories exempt from the points test (see below)
D-8-4 Startup Points Scoring (300 points total)
To qualify for D-8-4, score at least 60 out of 300 points, including at least one mandatory item. Mandatory items (up to 180 points) cover intellectual property, government startup support or OASIS-6/9, professor or researcher experience, and investment raised. Optional items (up to 120 points) cover other OASIS courses, Korean ability and a master's degree. Some applicants are exempt from the points test.
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
Registered intellectual property (mandatory) Owner of a registered patent (60) or utility model or design (30). Intellectual property points are capped at 60 in total. | 60 / 30 |
Inventor of registered intellectual property (mandatory) Inventor of a registered patent (30) or utility model or design (10) | 30 / 10 |
Intellectual property applications (mandatory) Applicant for a patent (10) or utility model or design (5); up to 10 points in total | 10 / 5 |
Government startup support or OASIS-6/OASIS-9 (mandatory) Recipient of a government startup-support program, or completed OASIS-6 or OASIS-9 | 30 |
Professor (E-1) or researcher (E-3) for 3+ years (mandatory) 3+ years on E-1 or E-3 status, including earlier stays; time on E-3 and then E-1 is added together | 30 |
Investment raised (mandatory) ₩100M+ raised from accelerators or venture capital, confirmed and recommended by the Global Startup Immigration Center | 60 |
Other OASIS courses (optional) OASIS-1, 2 or 4: 10 points each; OASIS-5, 7 or 8: 15 points each | 10–15 |
Korean language (optional) TOPIK 5+ or KIIP stage 5: 20 points; TOPIK 3+ or KIIP stage 3: 10 points | 20 / 10 |
Master's degree or higher (optional) From a university in Korea or abroad | 10 |
Points-test exemptions (apply directly without scoring)
K-Startup Grand Challenge participants selected in the last 2 years who received business support, with a corporation set up after joining and a recommendation from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups
Recipients of central or local government startup support (high-tech businesses only) in the last 2 years with ₩30M+ in direct funding and a Ministry of SMEs and Startups recommendation
Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4S): applicants approved by the private evaluation committee and recommended by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups
OASIS Startup Program — Step by Step
OASIS (창업이민종합지원시스템) is the startup immigration program run by the Global Startup Immigration Center, designated jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Its courses earn D-8-4 points and can qualify you for the D-10-2 startup preparation visa.
Join an OASIS course
Sign up for OASIS courses through the Global Startup Immigration Center.
Complete the courses
Courses run from OASIS-1 to OASIS-9. OASIS-6 or OASIS-9 earns 30 mandatory points for D-8-4; OASIS-1, 2 and 4 earn 10 each, and OASIS-5, 7 and 8 earn 15 each.
Apply for D-10-2 or D-8-4
With a bachelor's degree (or a Korean associate degree), taking part in OASIS or completing it in the last 3 years qualifies you for the D-10-2 startup preparation visa. Your OASIS points also count toward the D-8-4 test.
Incorporate your Korean company
Register your Korean business with the appropriate government agencies (Court Registry, Tax Office, KOTRA if foreign-invested). A Korean incorporation agent or attorney typically assists.
Upgrade to D-8-4 or D-8-1
Once incorporated, apply to change from D-10-2 to D-8-4 (startup) or D-8-1 (if you have invested ₩100M+ for 10%+ of the voting shares).
Korean Company Structures Compared
Corporation (株式회사)
주식회사 (Jusik hoesa)Min. Capital
No legal minimum (D-8-1 needs ₩100M+ invested)
Founders
1+
Most common for foreign investors. Required for KOSPI/KOSDAQ listing. Shares can be issued to multiple investors.
Limited Liability Company
유한회사 (Yuhan hoesa)Min. Capital
No legal minimum
Founders
1+
Simpler structure. Popular for small foreign-owned businesses and sole investors. No public share issuance.
Branch Office
지점 (Jijum)Min. Capital
None
Founders
Parent company abroad
Extension of a foreign company. Cannot be separately incorporated. Staff sent from the parent company use the D-7 visa. Profits repatriated to parent company.
Liaison / Representative Office
연락사무소Min. Capital
None
Founders
Parent company abroad
Non-profit-generating market research only. Cannot engage in commercial activities. Very limited visa options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment to start a business in Korea as a foreigner?
For D-8-1 (investment in a Korean corporation), ₩100 million+ must be invested for 10%+ of the voting shares. For D-8-4 (technology startup), there is no minimum cash investment — you qualify through the points test (60 of 300 points). Individual business owners on D-9 need ₩300 million+ of foreign capital.
What is the OASIS program and should I do it?
OASIS (창업이민종합지원시스템) is the startup immigration program run by the Global Startup Immigration Center, designated by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. OASIS-6 or OASIS-9 earns 30 points toward D-8-4 (other courses 10–15), and taking part in or completing OASIS can qualify a bachelor's degree holder for the D-10-2 startup preparation visa. Recommended for anyone planning D-8-4 or D-10-2.
What is the K-Startup Grand Challenge?
The K-Startup Grand Challenge is a Ministry of SMEs and Startups program for foreign startups, operated by the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED). Participants selected in the last 2 years who received business support can be exempt from the D-8-4 points test with a Ministry recommendation, and participants can move to the D-10-2 visa with a KISED recommendation.
D-8-3 vs D-8-4 — which is right for me?
D-8-3 is for investing ₩100M+ in a business run by a Korean individual and becoming joint representative with them; the Korean partner also puts in ₩100M+. D-8-4 is for founding your own Korean corporation built on intellectual property or similar technology, and you qualify through the points test. Founders starting their own technology company use D-8-4.
Can I run a business on a D-9 visa?
Yes. D-9 covers trade and business management, including individual business owners who bring in ₩300 million+ of foreign capital, and staff who install export equipment or supervise ship construction. Employees sent to a foreign company's Korean branch office use D-7 instead.
Can I hire Korean employees on a D-8 visa?
Yes. As the director/representative of a Korean corporation, you can employ Korean nationals and, with immigration approval, foreign nationals on qualifying work visas (E-7, E-2, etc.).
How do I transition from D-10-2 (startup prep) to D-8-4 (active startup)?
Once you have incorporated your Korean company and can demonstrate business activity, apply at a Korean immigration office for a status change from D-10-2 to D-8-4. You will need: company registration certificate, OASIS completion certificate or other qualifying criteria, and documentation of startup activities.
Can a startup founder get permanent residency?
Yes. After 3+ years on D-8-4, founders who raised ₩300 million+ and employ 2+ Korean nationals can apply for F-5-24 directly. Investors can reach F-5-5 (USD 500,000+ invested and 5+ Korean nationals employed), or F-5-1 after 5 years on D-8 with average annual sales of ₩1 billion+.