D-10-2 (Job Seeking: Tech Startup Preparation) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What D-10-2 Is

D-10-2 (기술창업준비) is a subtype of 구직(D-10, Job Seeking) for foreigners preparing to launch a technology startup in Korea — the preparatory stage that precedes actually qualifying for the D-8-4 기술창업 (tech-startup) corporate-investment status. Covered activities include participating in a startup-immigration education program (창업이민교육프로그램), preparing and filing intellectual-property/patent applications, preparing to establish the startup corporation, and other startup-related preparatory activities. The manual explicitly ties it to '기업투자(D-8) 자격(다목)에 해당하는 기술창업 준비'.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Applicant fits current D-10-2 startup-track conditions.
• Startup plan and related background evidence are coherent.
• Funds and stay plan support requested period.
• No unresolved compliance issues in immigration history.
• Documents reflect latest D-10 guidance updates.

3. Criteria Summary

• D-10-2 is not standard points-visa processing.
• Review centers on startup-track plausibility and record integrity.
• Background, preparation evidence, and timeline coherence matter most.
• Generic or template startup narratives are often challenged.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• D-10-2 does not require an employment contract at filing.
• No E-series salary floor applies at this preparatory stage.
• If investment/offer-related docs are included, details must be consistent.
• Target status change later will require full criteria under the destination category.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• D-10-2 is not ordinary employer sponsorship.
• Activity scope is limited to approved startup/job-seeking preparation context.
• Unauthorized revenue/work activity can create major compliance risk.
• Maintain clear records for later transition reviews.

6. Required Documents

• Application form, passport, ARC (if applicable), photo, and fee proof.
• Startup-track plan and supporting background records.
• Financial support documents for requested stay period.
• Status-history and pathway-supporting documents as requested.
• Additional office-requested case documents.

7. Fees and Processing

• Fees follow current manual schedules for issuance/change/extension.
• Processing varies by office and document quality.
• Supplements are common when startup rationale is weakly documented.
• Apply early and avoid end-of-period filing risk.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Eligibility does not satisfy D-10-2 pathway conditions.
• Startup-track rationale is insufficient or inconsistent.
• Financial/stay-plan evidence is weak.
• Prior compliance issues remain unresolved.
• Core filing documents are incomplete or contradictory.

9. FAQ