D-8-STARTUP 指南

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.

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.

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.

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 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.