Conduct trade, sales, and business management activities in South Korea.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 2026
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.
Stay Duration
Up to 2 years per issuance (renewable)
Processing
2–4 weeks
Visa Fee
$74.63 (status change) / $44.78 (extension)
Fees and processing times sourced from HiKorea & Ministry of Justice. Figures are updated periodically but may change — verify before submitting.
Readiness check
Use this quick self-check before you spend time on forms or book a consultation for Trade & Management Visa.
Next focus
Eligibility fit
I meet the core D-9 requirements and understand any sponsor, degree, income, family, or experience conditions that apply.
The D-9 visa covers foreign nationals engaged in trade and business management activities in Korea that do not qualify under the investment-based D-8 category. It is appropriate for regional sales managers, trade representatives, business development executives, and others conducting commercial activities for an overseas entity in the Korean market without making a direct equity investment.
Foreign trade representatives, regional managers, sales directors, and business consultants employed by overseas companies to manage commercial relationships, negotiate contracts, or oversee business operations in Korea. Also suitable for foreign nationals establishing or managing a branch office (지점) of an overseas company in Korea.
Employed by an overseas company or managing a Korean branch/liaison office of an overseas company
Role must involve trade, sales, business development, or operational management
Bachelor's degree or higher, OR at least 5 years of relevant trade or management experience
Proof of business activity between the overseas company and Korean entities (contracts, letters of intent, trade records)
No criminal record
Delay and refusal risks
Business-investor cases are document-heavy because immigration reviews both the legal investment route and the real business activity.
D-8 review can stall when the investment amount, sender, receiving company, bank trail, foreign-exchange documents, or investor identity do not line up cleanly.
Manual basis: The D-8 manual references investment funds, remittance/payment evidence, foreign-investment registration, and related supporting documents.
Company registration alone is not enough. Thin operating records, no real business activity, or weak continuity evidence can invite additional review.
Manual basis: The stay manual includes D-8 extension and business-continuity review points for investor status management.
Some industries or business structures are restricted or do not fit the claimed D-8 route. A filing built around the wrong route can be refused or redirected.
Manual basis: The D-8 sections refer to restricted industries and cases where the applicant is not considered essential management or production-technology personnel.
If relying on a technology startup pathway, OASIS, IP, corporate setup, and founder activity evidence must support the specific route claimed.
Manual basis: The manual separates investor and technology-startup founder pathways and lists different documentary expectations.
Source note
These are practical risk factors for Trade & Management Visa, not a complete list of legal refusal grounds. Final review can vary by nationality, filing channel, consulate, immigration office, and case facts.
Valid passport + completed visa application form + passport photo
Employment contract or appointment letter from the overseas company
Evidence of trade or business activity with Korea (contracts, purchase orders, invoices, or letters of intent)
Korean branch/liaison office registration (if applicable)
Overseas company's business registration or incorporation documents
Degree certificate or proof of professional experience
Criminal background check (apostilled, issued within 3 months)
Establish your business mandate in Korea
Document your role — whether managing a branch office, representing an overseas company, or developing trade relationships with Korean partners. Signed contracts or letters of intent with Korean companies strengthen your application.
Register a branch office if needed
If you are setting up a formal branch or representative office of your overseas company in Korea, register it with the Korean commercial court and obtain a business registration certificate.
Apply at the Korean consulate
Submit your D-9 application with all supporting documents at the Korean embassy or consulate.
Arrive and register
Register at the local immigration office within 90 days to obtain your ARC.
Need help with your D-9 visa?
Connect with a verified specialist who handles D-9 applications.
Verified professionals who can help with your visa application
Unfamiliar with a term? Browse the full Korea Visa Glossary
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.
Get instant answers to these visa questions with our Korea-focused AI assistant.
Specific tracks under the D-9 category. Pick the one that matches your situation for track-level documents, criteria, and filing notes.
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