D : Non-Professional

• D-9 : Trade
  • D-9-1 : Unique trade deals
  • Trader assigned with unique number of trade business
    
    The Ministry of Justice has introduced and is implementing the point-based trade visa (D-9-1) with the intention of contributing to the creation of jobs for locals by increasing exports of domestic products through the vitalization of foreign trade businesses and stimulating the domestic economy through this. The point-based trade visa (D-9-1) can be applied even if there is no trade record, etc., if the score is 60 points or more out of a total of 160 points and the required score is 10 points or more. In this case, in the case of a co-representative with a foreigner holding the same status of residence, only the points obtained by dividing the sum of the points by the number of foreigners are recognized. For reference, a maximum of 65 points are awarded for the required items, a maximum of 30 points for trade performance (referring to the annual average performance for the last two years from the date of application), and a maximum of 35 points for trade expertise. Elective items are worth up to 95 points, and up to 55 points are awarded for length of stay in Korea (up to 20 points), academic background (up to 20 points), experience studying abroad in Korea, TOPIK level 2 or higher, or completion of the social integration program.
    Score-based trade visa (D-9-1) requires the applicant to have completed business registration in their own name (with the trade industry as the designated field) and must not fall under any of the disqualification criteria, which are as follows: 1) having violated the Immigration Control Act within the past three years as of the application date (excluding those who received fines or penalties of less than 2 million won and have complied with them), 2) having engaged in illegal entry or using falsified passports, 3) being subject to an entry ban or posing a risk of harming the safety, order, public welfare, or other interests of the Republic of Korea, and 4) having submitted false documents.
    The documents required for applying for the score-based trade visa (D-9-1) include the application form, a copy of the passport, a copy of the business registration certificate (with the trade industry as the designated field), a copy of the trade registration number certificate (issued by the Korea International Trade Association), a joint venture agreement (for joint ventures), proof of business establishment (such as a lease agreement), proof of the applicable score (export-import performance certificate issued by the Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association), proof of expertise in the trade sector (career certificate, degree certificate, education completion certificate, etc.), proof of capital, a TOPIK score sheet, and a KIIP completion certificate.
    In the past, to extend the stay period after acquiring a score-based trade visa, an "export-import performance certificate" issued by the Korea International Trade Association was required. However, there have been issues raised about how this certificate does not properly reflect the reality of the trade industry, which involves various methods of trade such as e-commerce.
    As a result, the Ministry of Justice is accepting not only the 'Export-Import Performance Certificate' issued by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), but also the 'Export Performance Certificate' and 'Online Mall Transaction History' issued by foreign exchange banks as proof of trade performance when applying for an extension of stay after obtaining a score-based trade visa. Furthermore, in cases where diligent trading activities are being conducted despite a lack of trade performance, the "Recommendation System for Extension of Stay for Trade Visas" has been introduced to allow for an extension of stay (up to four times within a two-year period) even with insufficient initial trade performance.
    Foreigners who have completed trade-related courses and have the potential for entrepreneurial success, as recommended by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Korea International Trade Association, and the Seoul Business Agency, which are designated by the Ministry of Justice, are eligible for an extension of stay, even with insufficient initial trade performance. In addition, foreign nationals who have completed a trade advanced course of 30 hours or more in addition to the basic trade course are eligible for an additional three points to be applied to the items for an extension of stay when applying for an extension of stay.
    It should be noted that the following are eligible for a change of residency status for trade management (D-9) for foreign individual business owners: first, foreign individual business owners who have imported more than KRW 300 million in foreign currency according to the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act and have registered their business and wish to operate a company or engage in profitable activities in Korea; and second, foreign individual business owners who have invested more than KRW 300 million in Korea in accordance with the Foreign Investment Promotion Act and have received an investment company registration certificate.
    However, foreign individual business owners who fall under the categories of technical training (D-3), non-professional employment (E-9), crew employment (E-10), others (G-1), pure tourism and group tourism (C-3-2), medical tourism (C-3-3), working visit (H-2), or tourist employment (H-1) for British, French, or Irish nationals are not eligible to apply for a change of residency status to trade management (D-9) in Korea and must obtain a trade management (D-9) visa from a Korean embassy or consulate abroad in order to enter Korea.