D-8 Startup & Investment Visa Guide: OASIS and Corporate Investment
South Korea has made it significantly easier for foreign entrepreneurs and investors to establish businesses and obtain long-term residence through the D-8 (기업투자 — corporate investment) visa. The most notable addition is the D-8-4 sub-type, introduced for foreign startup founders through the OASIS (Open for Anyone Starting Innovation in Korea) programme. Whether you are a traditional investor, a transferee at your own overseas company's Korean subsidiary, or a startup founder seeking Korean residency through entrepreneurship, this guide covers the current D-8 landscape.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 2026
Review & source basis
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
July 14, 2026
Source references
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
D-8 sub-types — which one applies to you?
D-8-1: Foreign direct investor — you are investing 100 million KRW (₩100M) or more into a new or existing Korean company and managing or directing operations. D-8-2: Foreign corporate transferee — you are an executive or specialist transferred to your own company's Korean branch, subsidiary, or joint venture (minimum investment threshold applies). D-8-3: Intellectual property holder — you hold a patent, utility model, or trademark registered in Korea and are commercialising it. D-8-4: Startup founder — you do not meet the D-8-1 investment threshold but qualify through the OASIS points-based scoring system for innovative startups.
D-8-4 OASIS: the startup track
OASIS (Open for Anyone Starting Innovation in Korea) is a points-based pathway introduced to attract foreign startup talent. Instead of a large capital requirement, D-8-4 evaluates you on: business plan quality, academic and professional background, Korean language ability, financial capacity, and Korean market knowledge. The scoring system was significantly revised in April 2025: the old 448-point framework (minimum 80 required) was replaced with a new 300-point system requiring a minimum score of 60. This makes the bar meaningfully more accessible for early-stage founders. As of November 2025, several categories are also fully exempt from the points requirement entirely — including participants in the K-Startup Grand Challenge, TIPS programme recipients, and those enrolled in other designated government startup support programmes. Non-exempt applicants use the current 300-point / 60-minimum system.
The ₩100M investment requirement for D-8-1
The baseline D-8-1 requires a minimum investment of ₩100,000,000 (approximately USD $75,000) into a Korean corporation (법인). The investment must be registered with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) as a foreign direct investment (FDI). This investment can be in a new company you establish or an existing Korean company. The investor must then take on a management or operation role — the D-8 is not a passive investor visa.
Path to long-term residency
D-8 is a pathway to F-2 (long-term resident) and eventually F-5 (permanent residency) for successful entrepreneurs and investors. F-5 can be reached more quickly for large-scale investors (F-5-8 pathway for those who maintain ₩500M+ investment and employ a certain number of Korean workers). For D-8-4 startup founders, the path goes through sustained operations and eventual qualification for F-2 via accumulated residency and income.
Step-by-step process
Determine your D-8 sub-type
Are you investing ₩100M+ in a Korean company (D-8-1)? Transferring from your own overseas company (D-8-2)? Commercialising a Korean patent (D-8-3)? Or founding a startup without meeting the ₩100M threshold (D-8-4 OASIS)? Each sub-type has a different process.
For D-8-1: Register your FDI with KOTRA
Make your ₩100M+ investment into a Korean corporation and register it as foreign direct investment (외국인직접투자) with KOTRA. KOTRA provides an Investment Registration Certificate (외국인투자기업등록증) which is a core document for the D-8-1 visa application.
For D-8-4: Apply through OASIS or secure a government programme
Apply online through the OASIS platform (oasis.kotra.or.kr). Prepare your business plan, financial documents, academic credentials, and any Korean language test scores. If you are a K-Startup Grand Challenge participant or recipient of a government startup support programme (TIPS, etc.), gather documentation of that — you may be exempt from the points requirement as of November 2025.
Establish your Korean corporation
Register a Korean corporation (주식회사 or 유한회사) at the court registry. This typically requires a Korean-speaking agent or lawyer. The business registration (사업자등록증) and corporate registration (법인등기사항전부증명서) are essential visa documents.
Apply for the D-8 visa
Apply at the Korean consulate abroad (new entry) or at the immigration office inside Korea (status change). Required documents vary by sub-type but include: passport, application form, investment registration certificate or OASIS approval, business registration, corporate registration, financial statements, and employment contract if applicable.
Tips from 행정사s
For D-8-4 OASIS: a detailed, credible, Korea-market-specific business plan is the most important element of your application. Generic plans are rejected.
Consult a Korean tax accountant (세무사) and 행정사 early — the corporate setup and visa processes run in parallel and each has its own timeline.
Minimum investment amounts apply at the time of application — currency fluctuations can affect whether your USD/EUR/etc. investment meets the KRW threshold. Convert carefully.
Korean language ability (TOPIK) significantly boosts D-8-4 OASIS scores — even a modest TOPIK Level 2 adds meaningful points.
Keep meticulous records of all business spending — for future F-2/F-5 applications, proving active business operation and investment maintenance is essential.
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Visa Process
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
Visa Process
HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Process
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do D-8 without a Korean business partner?
Yes. Foreign nationals can establish 100% foreign-owned Korean corporations without a Korean partner. KOTRA can provide guidance on the setup process. Many D-8-1 and D-8-4 holders operate fully foreign-owned Korean companies.
What happens to my D-8 if my startup fails?
If your Korean company ceases operations, your D-8 basis ends. You have a grace period (typically 3 months) to find a new qualifying basis or change to another visa status. Proactively inform immigration and explore your options before the company formally dissolves.
Can D-8 holders hire Korean employees?
Yes. D-8 visa holders operating Korean companies can hire Korean nationals through standard Korean employment law. Hiring Korean employees can also strengthen future F-5 applications (some F-5 pathways require job creation for Korean nationals).
Is there a minimum investment for D-8-4?
D-8-4 (OASIS) does not require the ₩100M investment threshold of D-8-1. However, you must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to operate a business — the points system evaluates this. Proof of available operating capital is a scored component.