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
Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney (행정사)Reg. No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회Licensed Realtor · Korea
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026
Reviewed by licensed immigration attorneys on Expert Sapiens
Licensed Immigration AttorneysAILA Members
Which Visa Is Right for You?
D-8-1Foreign Investor
Established businesses making a significant Korean investment
Min. Capital
₩100M (~$75K)
Stay
2 years (renewable)
Hire Staff
Yes
Leads To
F-2 → F-5
D-8-4Individual Startup
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
D-9Trade & Management
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
D-10-2Startup Preparation
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).
D-8-1
General Foreign-Invested Enterprise
Most CommonForeign investors, CEOs, and directors of Korean corporations with ₩100M+ equity investment
Min. investment:₩100,000,000 (~$75,000 USD)
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
D-8-2
Intra-Company Transferee (Investor Employee)
Employees dispatched by a foreign investor to manage their Korean business operations
Min. investment:Parent company must have ₩100M+ invested in the Korean entity
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
D-8-3
Technology Business Startup (Company-based)
Tech-based startup companies with certified innovative technology or government certification
Min. investment:Less than ₩100M — qualifies via technology certification instead
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
D-8-4
Individual Tech Startup (Points-based)
Most CommonIndividual startup founders launching a tech or innovation business in Korea — without the ₩100M investment
Min. investment:No minimum cash investment — qualifies via K-Startup scoring
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.
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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.
Important: Business visa rules are updated frequently. The D-8-4 scoring criteria were revised in April 2025 and November 2025. Always verify current requirements with Korea Immigration Service or a registered immigration specialist before applying.
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.