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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 (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.

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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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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.