Corpoate Investor(D-8)
| Eligible Persons and Scope of Activities | 1. Essential professional personnel intending to work in management, administration, production, or technical fields of a Korean corporation of a foreign-invested company under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act [hereinafter referred to as “Corporate Investment (D-8-1)”]
* Only applicable to established corporations; excludes persons recruited within Korea. 2. Representatives of venture companies established under Article 2-2, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2(d) of the Special Measures for the Promotion of Venture Businesses Act, who hold intellectual property or have excellent technical skills, and whose companies have been recognized as venture companies under Article 25 of the same Act, or whose companies are evaluated as technically outstanding [hereinafter referred to as “Venture Investment (D-8-2)”]. 3. Essential professional personnel intending to work in management, administration, production, or technical fields of a business operated by a Korean national (individual) who is a foreign-invested enterprise under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act [hereinafter referred to as “Individual Enterprise Investment (D-8-3)”] * Excludes persons recruited within Korea. 4. Corporate founders of technology-based startups who either obtained an associate degree or higher domestically, or a bachelor’s degree or higher abroad, or who are recommended by the head of a relevant central administrative agency, and who possess intellectual property or equivalent technical skills \[hereinafter referred to as “Technology Startup (D-8-4)”]. |
| Maximum Period of Stay | Corporate Investment (D-8-1) and Individual Enterprise Investment (D-8-3): 5 years
Venture Investment (D-8-2) and Technology Startup (D-8-4): 2 years |
| Activities Outside of Granted Residence Status | Eligible Persons
* Registered foreigners who meet the requirements for Corporate Investment (D-8-1) and Individual Enterprise Investment (D-8-3) * Registered foreigners with Professor (E-1), Research (E-3), Technical Guidance (E-4), or Professional Employment (E-5) status who meet the requirements for Venture Investment (D-8-2) and Technology Startup (D-8-4S) * Only activities related to their own research or work field and corresponding Venture Investment (D-8-2) or Technology Startup (D-8-4S) activities are permitted Documents Required by Subcategory * D-8-1 Corporate Investment * Follow the document requirements for visa issuance and change of residence status applications * D-8-2 Venture Investment * Follow the document requirements for visa issuance and change of residence status applications * D-8-3 Individual Enterprise Investment * Follow the document requirements for visa issuance and change of residence status applications * D-8-4 Technology Startup * Score-based system applicable * Exempt from score-based system: * K-Startup Grand Challenge participants * Recipients of government startup support programs * For Technology Startup (D-8-4) applicants subject to the score system, proof of educational qualifications is waived * D-8-4S Technology Startup – Startup Korea Special Visa * Follow the document requirements for visa issuance and change of residence status applications 1. Exemption from Permission for Activities Outside of Granted Residence Status * If the activity does not interfere with the original purpose of stay and involves receiving education at formal educational institutions (elementary, middle, high schools, and universities), no separate permission procedure is required within the period of stay (Implemented June 15, 2009) 2. University Lectures by CEOs or Other Excellent Professionals of Foreign-Invested Companies * Scope of Activity : Short-term employment (C-4-5) for individuals intending to lecture at universities for up to 90 days * Eligible Persons : 1. Holders of investor-type status (D-7, D-8, D-9) working as full-time directors or higher in domestic companies (including investment companies) 2. Holders of professional personnel status (E-1, E-3 to E-5, E-7) * Required Documents : 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, and fee 2. Recommendation letter from the head of the university 3. Copy of unique number certificate (business registration certificate) 4. Original and copy of employment contract 5. Consent letter from current workplace supervisor * Individuals intending to lecture regularly at a university for more than 90 days must submit for headquarters approval |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | ➠ Corporate Investment (D-8) status is not subject to “workplace change/addition permission (report)”: process as a report of changes in alien registration details
※ For holders of the following non-profit-oriented residence statuses, changes are processed through the report of changes in alien registration details (Enforcement Rules Article 49-2): a. Holders of Culture and Arts (D-1), Study (D-2), General Training (D-4), or Trade and Management (D-9) statuses: changes or additions of affiliated institutions or organizations (including name changes) b. Holders of Job Seeking (D-10) status: commencement of training or changes in training institution (including name changes) c. Holders of Visiting Employment (H-2) status: * If first employed by an individual, institution, organization, or company, report the start of employment * If already employed, report changes in the individual, institution, organization, or company (including name changes) ※ For holders of Chief Representative (D-7) or Trade and Management (D-9) statuses moving within the same group company, the following documents are required, and the matter is processed as a **“report of changes in alien registration details”**: 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, and fee 2. Original dispatch order (issued by foreign head office) 3. Proof of same-group company affiliation (e.g., Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details) 4. Proof of business fund introduction for the additional/changed workplace (e.g., foreign exchange purchase certificate, lease contract) 5. Tax payment certificate and certificate of tax payment for the additional/changed workplace (for dispatched corporate employees; for individual investors, if the company is already established and operating) 6. Original Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details for the additional/changed workplace 7. Copy of business registration certificate for the additional/changed workplace 8. Copy of investment company registration certificate for the additional/changed workplace |
| Granting of Residence Status | Not applicable |
| Permission for Change of Residence Status | Common Criteria
1. Eligibility Requirements a. Corporate Investment (D-8-1) * Investment target must be a Korean corporation. * Investment amount must be at least KRW 100 million, and the investor must hold at least 10% of the total voting shares of the corporation or enter into contracts for executive dispatch/appointment while holding shares. * Investment funds should be in the investor’s name; funds in the name of a spouse or minor children and remittance via proxy are exceptionally allowed. For investors with KRW 300 million or more, funds in the name of parents or spouse’s parents are also allowed. b. Venture Investment (D-8-2) * Individuals establishing or planning to establish a venture company under the *Special Measures for the Promotion of Venture Businesses Act* with excellent technology or intellectual property, and whose companies have been certified as venture or preliminary venture companies, or evaluated as technically outstanding. * Includes certified technology evaluation companies and preliminary venture companies. * Verification of venture company status is conducted by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation, Small & Medium Business Corporation, or Korea Venture Capital Association. * Evaluations refer to assessments received from the Korea Technology Finance Corporation or Small & Medium Business Corporation. c. Individual Enterprise Investment (D-8-3) * Investment target must be a business operated by a Korean national. * Investment amount must be at least KRW 100 million, with at least 10% of total capital contributions owned, and the investor must be listed as co-representative with the Korean on the business registration certificate. * Investment funds rules are the same as D-8-1. * Co-investor’s capital must be at least KRW 100 million. d. Technology Startup (D-8-4) i) Score-based Applicants * Must have at least an associate degree domestically or a bachelor’s degree abroad, or be recommended by the head of a relevant central administrative agency. * Must score at least 60 out of 300 points according to the scoring system, meeting at least one mandatory criterion. * Must establish a Korean corporation and complete corporate registration and business registration. ii) Score-based Exemption (Special Technology Startup Applicants) * K-Startup Grand Challenge participants selected within the last two years and receiving business support. * Must establish a corporation meeting all participation requirements. * Must have a recommendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups for residence status change (D-8-4). * Government startup program beneficiaries must have received direct business support of at least KRW 30 million within the last two years. * Startup Korea Special Visa applicants must have a recommendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups following private evaluation approval. Exceptions (Not Eligible for Change of Status) * Ireland, France, and UK nationals entering under Technical Training (D-3), Non-professional Employment (E-9), Seafarer Employment (E-10), Visiting Employment (H-2), Other (G-1), or Tourism Employment (H-1) statuses. * Individuals listed as executives without being investors; exceptions may be allowed under special circumstances after detailed review by the local immigration office. 1. Change of Residence Status for Corporate Investment (D-8-1) Required Documents 1. Application (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, one standard photo, fee 2. Copy of business registration certificate, Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details, original shareholder change statement 3. Copy of investment company registration certificate 4. For dispatched activity: dispatch order (indicating dispatch period, issued by overseas head office or third-country branch) and employment certificate 5. Proof of investment fund introduction * Cash contribution: foreign exchange export approval from customs or home bank, remittance confirmation, foreign exchange purchase certificate, customs declaration, etc. * In-kind contribution: confirmation of in-kind contribution (issued by Customs), customs import declaration certificate 6. Proof of business performance (e.g., export/import records) 7. Proof of residence (e.g., lease contract) 8. Proof of business premises (e.g., lease contract, photos of office, workspace, signboard) Additional Documents (for individual investors under KRW 300 million) * Proof of use of capital (purchase receipts, office interior costs, bank statements, etc.) * Relevant documents on business experience from the investor’s country (if necessary) For essential personnel in subsidiaries 100% funded by financial holding companies with foreign investment registration * Application, passport, alien registration card, one photo, fee * Approval of financial holding company and foreign-invested company registration certificate * Corporate registration and shareholder list of the subsidiary * Dispatch order from overseas head office (third-country branch accepted) * Business registration copies of holding company and subsidiary 2. Change of Residence Status for Venture Investment (D-8-2) Required Documents 1. Application, passport, alien registration card (if applicable), one photo 2. Copy of business registration and Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details 3. Venture company verification or preliminary venture verification certificate 4. Proof of excellent technical ability or intellectual property (patents, utility model certificates, design registration, trademark registration, copyright registration, etc.) 5. Proof of residence (lease contracts, etc.) 6. Office lease contract 7. Proof of business performance (e.g., export/import records) 3. Change of Residence Status for Individual Enterprise Investment (D-8-3) Required Documents * Same as D-8-1, with additional: 1. Copy of business registration showing co-investors, original co-investor agreement 2. Proof of co-investor’s capital usage * Investment fund proof rules same as D-8-1 * Additional documents for investors under KRW 300 million as in D-8-1 4. Change of Residence Status for Technology Startup (D-8-4) Required Documents * Application, passport, standard photo, proof of residence * Corporate registration and business registration copies * Copy of degree or recommendation from head of central administrative agency i) Score-based Applicants * Proof of registered intellectual property (patent, utility model, design) * Proof for OECD-country IP holders (apostille or Korean consulate confirmation for non-members) * Certificate of patent application if applicable * Certificates from the Global Startup Immigration Center (completion, award, selection letters, etc.) * Other score system documentation as needed ii) Score-based Exemption Applicants * K-Startup Grand Challenge: basic documents + participation confirmation and ministerial recommendation (only at first status change) * Government startup program beneficiaries: basic documents + ministerial recommendation * Startup Korea Special Visa: basic documents + ministerial recommendation 5. Long-term residence status change for German nationals entering under visa exemption (B-1) * Approved residence status : all long-term statuses except Technical Training (D-3), Non-professional Employment (E-9), and Tourism Employment (H-1) * Approval period: maximum period allowed per residence status 6. Change of Residence Status for Chilean nationals under Short-term Visit (C-3-4) * Eligibility : businesspersons with managerial, executive, or key technical qualifications * Activity : engaged in actual trade, investment, or technology service provision between the home country and the host country * Required documents: proof verifying eligibility |
| Permission for Extension of Stay | 1. Extension of Stay for Foreigners with Corporate Investment (D-8-1)
Required Documents – Basic 1. Application (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, 1 standard photo, fee 2. Copy of business registration, Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details, original shareholder change statement 3. Copy of investment company registration certificate 4. For dispatched activity: dispatch order (indicating dispatch period, issued by overseas head office or third-country branch) and employment certificate 5. Proof of investment fund introduction * Foreign exchange export approval from customs or home bank (if applicable) * Investment fund transaction statement (remittance confirmation, foreign exchange purchase certificate, customs declaration, etc.) 6. Personal tax certificate or documents confirming VAT tax base 7. Proof of business performance (e.g., export/import records) 8. Proof of business premises (lease contract, photos of office, workspace, signage, etc.) 9. Proof of residence (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, notice of stay expiration, utility payment receipts, dormitory receipts, etc.) Additional Documents for Individual Investors Under KRW 300 Million 10. Proof of use of capital (purchase receipts, office interior costs, bank account statements, etc.) 11. Documents from the investor’s country regarding business experience in the relevant industry or field (if requested) For Essential Personnel in Subsidiaries 100% Funded by Foreign-Invested Financial Holding Companies 1. Application, passport, alien registration card, 1 photo, fee 2. Approval of financial holding company and foreign-invested company registration certificate 3. Subsidiary corporate registration and shareholder list 4. Dispatch order from overseas head office (third-country branch dispatch orders accepted) 5. Copies of business registration of holding company and subsidiary 2. Extension of Stay for Venture Investment (D-8-2) Required Documents – Basic 1. Application (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card (if applicable), 1 photo 2. Copy of business registration and Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details 3. Venture company-related documents (venture company certificate or preliminary venture company certificate) 4. Documents proving excellent technical ability or intellectual property * Copies of patent certificates, utility model registration, design registration, trademark registration, copyright registration * Technical excellence evaluation from Korea Technology Finance Corporation or Small & Medium Business Corporation 5. Proof of business performance 6. Tax certificate 7. Proof of residence (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, notice of stay expiration, utility receipts, dormitory receipts, etc.) 3. Extension of Stay for Individual Enterprise Investment (D-8-3) Required Documents – Basic 1. Application (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card (if applicable), 1 photo 2. Copy of business registration showing co-investors, original co-investor agreement 3. Copy of investment company registration certificate 4. Proof of co-investor’s capital contribution 5. For dispatched activity: dispatch order and employment certificate 6. Proof of investment fund introduction * Foreign exchange export approval (if applicable) * Investment fund transaction statement (remittance confirmation, foreign exchange purchase certificate, customs declaration, etc.) 7. Personal tax certificate or documents confirming VAT tax base 8. Proof of business performance (export/import records, etc.) 9. Proof of business premises (lease contract, photos of office, workspace, signage, etc.) 10. Proof of residence (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, notice of stay expiration, utility receipts, dormitory receipts, etc.) Additional Documents for Investors Under KRW 300 Million 11. Proof of use of capital (purchase receipts, office interior costs, bank account statements, etc.) 12. Documents from the investor’s country regarding relevant business experience (if requested) 4. Extension of Stay for Technology Startup (D-8-4 / D-8-4S) Required Documents – Basic 1. Application (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card (if applicable), 1 photo 2. Corporate registration certificate and copy of business registration 3. Copies of patent, utility model, design, or trademark certificates (only for applicants whose status change was based on intellectual property) 4. Documents proving business operation 5. Tax certificate 6. Proof of residence (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, notice of stay expiration, utility receipts, dormitory receipts, etc.) Foreign Investment Registration Status Verification * Use KOTRA “Foreign Investment Company Registration Information System” with office ID and password * Website: [http://insc.kisc.org/ext/moj/main.jsp](http://insc.kisc.org/ext/moj/main.jsp) * Searchable information: company name, registration status, registration number, business registration number, investor name, address, etc. * Used for visa issuance, entry permission, stay permission, investigations, and naturalization screening * Overseas missions can confirm via KOTRA Investment Consultation Center (02-3497-1966) Extension of Stay for Trade & Management (D-9) and Similar Statuses * Requires individual tax certificate * Foreigners working in domestic offices but paid by overseas headquarters are subject to Korean income tax unless specified in tax treaties * a. For those in a tax association with monthly withholding and year-end settlement: submit income withholding receipt issued by association * b. For those not in a tax association: submit income certificate issued by local tax office * In cases where the payer is not in Korea, the employee must self-report; non-members of tax association file annual income tax in May, or if joining the association, monthly withholding is applied by the 10th of next month * Tax certificate inquiries: call 126 (National Tax Service Customer Center) |
| Re-entry Permit | 1. Implementation of Re-entry Permit Exemption System (Revised Enforcement Rules as of December 1, 2010)
* Foreigners who have completed registration are exempt from a re-entry permit if they re-enter within 1 year from the date of departure. * If the remaining period of stay is less than 1 year, the re-entry permit is exempt within the remaining stay period. ※ However, those subject to entry restrictions or visa issuance restrictions must visit the local immigration office (branch or service center) to obtain a re-entry permit. 2. Multiple Re-entry Permit (Limited for Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya. However, nationals of these countries with F-6 Marriage Immigrant, D-2 Study, or D-4 General Training status are allowed) * For re-entry after departure that exceeds 1 year but within 2 years of the stay period. * Required documents: Application (Form No. 34), original passport, alien registration card, fee exemption. |
| Foreigner Registration | 1. Documents Required for Alien Registration
① Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-size photo, and fee ② Business registration certificate, certificate of all corporate registration details (for corporate investors) ③ Proof of residence (e.g., real estate lease agreement) ☞ Foreigners who enter Korea with a D-8 (Investment) visa directly through a Korean diplomatic mission abroad should submit the same documents when applying for a change of stay status. * Excludes those who received a visa via a visa issuance certificate. 2. Verification Items * Confirm whether the applicant actually resides at the address listed on the application * Ensure complete entry of alien registration information and mandatory stay management items into the immigration system - Includes date and port of entry, visa details, accompanying persons, head of household and relationship to head of household, business registration number Includes investment amount, business type, and presence of joint business partners (especially for those investing in businesses managed by Korean nationals: joint/additional investors under 300 million KRW must be marked in the remarks section) |
| (Attachment) Criteria for Applying the Points System | Points System Categories and Scores
□ (Approval Standard) Applicants must meet at least one mandatory item and score 60 points or more out of a maximum of 300 points. ○ Mandatory Items and Scores (Maximum attainable points: 180 / Multiple items may be counted) Category Detailed Item Points Government start-up support or OASIS-6 or OASIS-9 30 Stayed in Korea 3 years or more under Professor (E-1) or Research (E-3) visa²) 30 Secured investment of 100 million KRW or more³) 60 Intellectual Property (Maximum 60 points) - Holder of registered patent 60 - Holder of registered utility model or design 30 - Inventor/creator of registered patent 30 - Inventor/creator of registered utility model or design 10 - Patent applicant (maximum 10 points) 10 - Utility model or design applicant (maximum 10 points) 5 ※ If you hold or have filed multiple intellectual property rights, duplication is allowed up to a maximum of 60 points. (Patent applications are capped at 10 points regardless of quantity.) If a patent/utility model/design/OASIS participation/government support/investment is jointly owned (by nationals, foreigners, corporations, etc.), the score is divided proportionally among the co-owners. ○ Optional Items and Scores (Maximum attainable points: 120 / Multiple items may be counted) Category Detailed Item Points OASIS OASIS-1 10 OASIS-2⁴) 10 OASIS-4 10 OASIS-5 15 OASIS-7 15 OASIS-8 15 Korean Language Proficiency Master’s degree or higher from a domestic or overseas university 10 TOPIK Level 5 or above / KIIP Level 5 or above 20 TOPIK Level 3 or above / KIIP Level 3 or above 10 Legend / Footnotes 1) Recipient of at least 30 million KRW in project funds directly from a central government agency but lacking the minister’s recommendation or 2-year recognition period required for exemption from the points system. 2) Past stay periods are recognized regardless of current visa status. If the applicant changed from Research (E-3) to Professor (E-1), the stay periods under each status are combined; if the total exceeds 2 years, points are granted. 3) Verified by the Global Startup Immigration Center that the applicant received 100 million KRW or more in investment from an AC/VC for start-up purposes. 4) If holding registered intellectual property in an OECD country, OASIS-2 training is exempted and points are granted. |
