The D-9 visa (무역경영) is for foreign nationals managing trade activities or commercial operations in Korea — typically as the representative or manager of a foreign company's Korean branch, liaison office, or trade operation. D-9 sits between D-7 (intracompany transfer) and D-8 (investment) as the category for business management without full incorporation.
D-9 is appropriate for three categories:
1. Trade representatives: Representing a foreign company in Korea for ongoing trade activities without establishing a Korean entity
2. Branch or liaison office managers: Managing a registered Korean branch office (지사) or liaison office (연락사무소) of a foreign company
3. Foreign individual sole proprietors (외국인 개인사업자) — April 2025 addition
As of April 2025, the D-9 category was expanded to include foreign nationals who wish to operate as sole proprietors (개인사업자) in Korea for trade-related activities — not as an employee of a foreign company, but as an independent operator.
Requirements for the sole proprietor track:
• Complete the OASIS startup/business preparation evaluation and score 30+ points across OASIS criteria 1–8
• Register a sole proprietorship with the Korean tax authority (사업자등록)
• Demonstrate a viable trade or commercial business plan
• The business must be genuinely trade-oriented — not service employment
This closes a gap where foreign individual traders and small-scale import/export operators had no clear visa pathway between the corporate D-8/D-9 tracks and the employment E-series.
D-9 is NOT for:
• Running a fully incorporated Korean company (D-8 territory)
• Employment at a Korean company in a management role (E-7 or D-7 territory)
• Pure sales activities without management responsibility
D-9 applications benefit from detailed documentation of actual trade activity — invoices, contracts, correspondence. 'I plan to do trade' without evidence is weak grounds.
Formalizing as a liaison office at KOTRA significantly strengthens the D-9 application.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 d-9 trade management visa korea — international business representatives & branch managers 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
Can a D-9 holder hire Korean employees?
Yes — a branch or liaison office managed by a D-9 holder can employ Korean staff for administrative support under standard Korean labor law.
Branch office (지사): Can conduct commercial transactions; must be registered with KOTRA
Liaison office (연락사무소): Cannot conduct revenue transactions; for market research and relationship management only
Key documents:
• Foreign company's business registration certificate (apostilled)
• Letter of appointment confirming management authority
• Branch/liaison office registration certificate (if applicable)
• Evidence of trade activities: contracts, purchase orders, business plan
• Financial statements or proof of business viability
Duration: 1 year, renewable annually.
| D-7 Intracompany Transfer | D-8 Investment | D-9 Trade Management | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Established multinational | Incorporated Korean company | Branch/liaison or direct trade rep |
| Legal entity | Korean subsidiary required | Korean corporation required | Branch/liaison or none |
| Role | Transferred manager/specialist | Investor/operator | Trade representative |
Sending an employee from overseas to manage a Korean subsidiary: D-7. Investing to create a new Korean company: D-8. Representing a foreign company in Korean trade without full incorporation: D-9.