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 April 2026
Which Visa Is Right for You?
Established businesses making a significant Korean investment
Min. Capital
₩100M (~$75K)
Stay
2 years (renewable)
Hire Staff
Yes
Leads To
F-2 → F-5
Solo founders launching a tech/innovation startup without large capital
Min. Capital
None (points-based)
Stay
2 years (renewable)
Hire Staff
Yes
Leads To
D-8-1 → F-2 → F-5
⚠️ Must register Korean business within 6 months
Foreign company representatives managing Korean operations without equity investment
Min. Capital
None (parent company overseas)
Stay
2 years (renewable)
Hire Staff
No
Leads To
F-2 → F-5
⚠️ Branch office (지점) not incorporated Korean entity
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 → D-8-1
⚠️ Cannot formally operate a business — preparation stage only
D-8 Visa — All 4 Subtypes Explained
The D-8 visa has four distinct subtypes. Most foreign entrepreneurs fall into D-8-1 (established investor) or D-8-4 (startup founder).
General Foreign-Invested Enterprise
Most CommonForeign investors, CEOs, and directors of Korean corporations with ₩100M+ equity investment
Minimum ₩100M equity investment registered with KOTRA or a designated bank
Established Korean corporation (주식회사 or 유한회사)
Applicant is investor, shareholder-director, or designated representative
Bachelor's degree OR 3+ years relevant business experience
Intra-Company Transferee (Investor Employee)
Employees dispatched by a foreign investor to manage their Korean business operations
Parent company is a registered foreign investor in Korea
Applicant employed by parent company for 1+ year
Dispatched to manage the Korean subsidiary/affiliate
Bachelor's degree OR 3+ years relevant experience
Technology Business Startup (Company-based)
Tech-based startup companies with certified innovative technology or government certification
Company holds a recognized technology certification (INNOBIZ, Venture certification, etc.)
Investor is the CEO or co-founder of the Korean tech startup
Startup must be incorporated in Korea
Investment below ₩100M threshold accepted if tech cert is valid
Individual Tech Startup (Points-based)
Most CommonIndividual startup founders launching a tech or innovation business in Korea — without the ₩100M investment
Score ≥ 60/300 on the D-8-4 startup points assessment
Individual applicant (not a company applying)
Must register Korean business within 6 months of visa issuance
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. Points come from IP rights, government programs, Korean language ability, and education. Some categories grant full exemption.
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
Intellectual Property — Patents Patents registered or applied for in Korea or internationally | +60 |
Intellectual Property — Utility Models Korean utility model registration or application | +40 |
OASIS Program Completion Completed the OASIS startup education program run by Korea Immigration Service | +30 |
Government Startup Funding (TIPS, etc.) Selected by TIPS, government-funded incubator, or major government startup support program (정부창업지원사업 수혜자) | +60 |
K-Startup Grand Challenge Participants are fully exempt from the points test | Exempt |
Korean Language Ability (TOPIK) TOPIK Level 3+ earns 20 points | +20 |
Master's Degree or Higher Postgraduate degree from an accredited university | +20 |
Korean Work / Study Experience Prior experience in Korea on D-2, E-7, or other qualifying visas | +20 |
Points-test exemptions (apply directly without scoring)
K-Startup Grand Challenge participants
Recipients of government startup support programs (TIPS, government-funded incubation)
Applicants with qualifying IP rights who also meet a simplified review
OASIS Startup Program — Step by Step
OASIS (Overseas Applicants' Startup Immigration System) is a free online program run by Korea Immigration Service. It's the easiest way to earn D-8-4 points and get a D-10-2 startup preparation visa.
Apply online
Register at the OASIS (Overseas Applicants' Startup Immigration System) portal managed by Korea Immigration Service (KIS). No Korean language required for the application.
Complete the online course
Finish the OASIS startup education program — covers Korean business law, incorporation procedures, startup ecosystem, and immigration requirements. Approximately 20–30 hours, self-paced online.
Apply for D-10-2 or D-8-4
OASIS completion earns 30 points toward D-8-4 scoring, or qualifies you for a D-10-2 startup preparation visa to begin the process from inside Korea.
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 status from D-10-2 to D-8-4 (startup) or D-8-1 (if you have now invested ₩100M+). Full business operations can begin.
Korean Company Structures Compared
Corporation (株式회사)
주식회사 (Jusik hoesa)Min. Capital
No minimum (practical: ₩10M+)
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 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. D-9 visa category. 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 a D-8-1 (standard investment) visa, ₩100 million (~$75,000 USD) must be invested as equity in a Korean corporation. For D-8-4 (individual startup), there is no minimum cash investment — you qualify through a points-based assessment (minimum 60/300 points). For D-9 (trade representative), no Korean investment is required.
What is the OASIS program and should I do it?
OASIS (Overseas Applicants' Startup Immigration System) is a free online education program run by Korea Immigration Service. Completing OASIS earns 30 points toward D-8-4 startup visa scoring and qualifies you for a D-10-2 startup preparation visa. It takes 20–30 hours online with no Korean required. Strongly recommended for anyone planning a D-8-4 or D-10-2.
What is the K-Startup Grand Challenge?
The K-Startup Grand Challenge is Korea's flagship government program for attracting foreign startups. Participants receive a grant, mentoring, office space, and are fully exempt from the D-8-4 points test. The program is run annually by NIPA (National IT Industry Promotion Agency). Application is competitive (typically 200–300 teams selected from thousands of applicants globally).
D-8-3 vs D-8-4 — which is right for my startup?
D-8-3 is for company-based tech startups that hold a recognized technology certification (INNOBIZ, Venture, etc.) — the company applies, not the individual. D-8-4 is for individual founders without the ₩100M threshold — you qualify through points. Most early-stage foreign startup founders use D-8-4. D-8-3 is more common for established Korean-founded companies adding a foreign co-founder.
Can I run a business on a D-9 visa?
D-9 allows you to manage trade and business activities for an overseas company operating in Korea — typically through a Korean branch office (지점). You cannot establish an independent incorporated Korean company on D-9. For that, you need D-8.
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. The most common pathway is D-8-4 → D-8-1 (once investing ₩100M+) → F-2 (long-term residency) → F-5 (permanent residency) after meeting the F-5-9 (job creation) or F-5-1 (5 years residence) requirements. Also possible via F-5-11 (Global Startup Founder) if your startup receives significant investment or government certification.