D-9-4 (Trade Management Subtype) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What D-9-4 Is

D-9-4 is a pathway-specific status reviewed on current eligibility criteria, documentary coherence, and compliance continuity.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Case facts satisfy current D-9-4 pathway requirements.
• Core eligibility and status-history records are complete and verifiable.
• Support-capacity or purpose evidence is sufficient for requested period.
• Timeline coherence is maintained across all supporting records.
• No unresolved immigration-compliance issues remain.

3. Criteria Summary

• D-9-4 is not processed as a general points-based category.
• Review is pathway-fit and evidence-consistency driven.
• Cross-document chronology and factual coherence are central.
• Weak or contradictory record chains are common refusal triggers.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• This pathway is not screened by a generic E-series salary-floor model.
• Where support/income records are required, figures must be internally consistent.
• Documented purpose and financial/support evidence must align.
• Material contradictions commonly lead to supplements or refusal.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• Employer sponsorship treatment depends on pathway type and current rules.
• Any scope-limited activity must stay within authorized boundaries.
• Material circumstance changes may require reporting or approval.
• Maintain updated records for extension or status-transition reviews.

6. Required Documents

• Application form, passport, ARC (if applicable), photo, and fee proof.
• D-9-4 pathway eligibility records and supporting evidence.
• Status-history, residence, and support/financial records as required.
• Any linkage/family/institutional records relevant to this pathway.
• Additional office-requested verification documents.

7. Fees and Processing

• Fees follow current issuance/change/extension schedules in manuals.
• Processing time varies by office load and verification complexity.
• Supplement requests are common when evidence is thin or inconsistent.
• Submit an indexed evidence package to reduce practical delays.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• D-9-4 pathway criteria are not met.
• Core documentary evidence is insufficient or inconsistent.
• Status-history continuity or purpose narrative is weak.
• Compliance/reporting issues remain unresolved.
• Reviewer cannot verify key pathway facts.

9. FAQ