Intra-Company Transferee(D-7)
| Eligible Persons and Scope of Activities | Persons who have worked for at least one year at the headquarters, branch, or other business offices of a foreign public institution, organization, or company, and who :
* Intend to be dispatched to work as essential professionals at an affiliated company, subsidiary, branch, or office located in the Republic of Korea. However, persons eligible under Corporate Investment (D-8) status are excluded. The one-year work requirement does not apply in the following cases: 1. When working in a national key industry or government-designated project. 2. In other cases recognized as necessary by the Minister of Justice. Persons who have worked for at least one year at an overseas local corporation or overseas branch established by a listed company (including KOSDAQ-listed companies) or a public institution, and who are dispatched to the headquarters or main office in Korea to provide or receive professional knowledge, technology, or skills. (However, overseas local corporations or branches of a listed company are excluded if the investment amount from the headquarters or operating funds is less than USD 500,000.) |
| Maximum Period of Stay That Can Be Granted at One Time | 3 years |
| Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Stay | 1. Expansion of Exemption from Permission for Activities Outside the Status of Stay
* If receiving education at a regular educational institution (elementary, middle, high school, or university) without infringing upon the original purpose of stay, no separate permission procedure is required within the period of stay. (Implemented June 15, 2009) 2. Conversation Teaching (E-2) Activities Not Subject to Permission (Report) for Activities Outside the Status of Stay a. Conversation teaching activities for colleagues within the workplace * Applicable to : Lawful residents who have completed foreigner registration with Professor (E-1) through Specific Activities (E-7) or Correspondent (D-5) through Trade Management (D-9) status. * Permitted Standard : Foreign language conversation teaching activities conducted for colleagues or staff within one’s workplace. b. Conversation teaching activities as volunteer service (non-profit, unpaid) * Applicable to : Lawful residents who have completed foreigner registration (including those exempt from registration). * Permitted Standard : Conversation teaching activities provided as volunteer service, not for profit or compensation, at schools, religious organizations, social welfare facilities, community centers, etc. c. Common Provisions * Conversation teaching that becomes the main activity or exceeds the permitted standards is excluded from autonomous allowance. 3. Activities Outside the Status of Stay for Corporate Investment (D-8) Holders within the Same Affiliated Company under Intra-company Transfer (D-7) Required Documents 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, one standard-size photo, fee 2. Dispatch order (issued by headquarters) 3. Proof of affiliation with the same company (original corporate registration certificate, etc.) 4. Copy of business registration certificate 5. Documents related to the establishment/approval of the domestic branch of the foreign company (branch establishment permit, etc.) 6. Consent letter from the head of the original workplace 7. Proof of business performance (e.g., certificate of corporate tax payment) 8. University Lecture Activities by CEOs or Excellent Professionals of Foreign-invested Companies * Scope of Activity : Activities outside the status of stay as Short-term Employment (C-4-5) for those intending to lecture at a university for up to 90 days. * Applicable to : 1. Holders of Investor status (D-7, D-8, D-9) employed as full-time directors or higher in domestic companies (including invested companies) 2. Holders of Professional Status (E-1, E-3 ~ E-5, E-7) Required Documents 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport, foreigner registration card, fee 2. Recommendation letter from the university president 3. Copy of unique identification number (business registration certificate) 4. Original and copy of employment contract 5. Consent letter from the head of the original workplace |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | ➠ Not subject to permission (report) for workplace change/addition: 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 in affiliated institution or organization (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 fees 2. Original dispatch order (issued by foreign head office) 3. Proof of same group affiliation (e.g., Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details) 4. Proof of funding for the additional/changed workplace (e.g., foreign exchange purchase certificate, lease contract, etc.) 5. Original Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details for the additional/changed workplace 6. Copy of Business Registration Certificate for the additional/changed workplace |
| Granting of Residence Status | Not applicable |
| Permission for Change of Residence Status | 1. Change to long-term residence status for a German national who entered under a Visa Waiver (B-1)
* Permissible residence statuses : All long-term residence statuses except Technical Training (D-3), Non-professional Employment (E-9), and Tourism Employment (H-1) * Permission period : Up to the maximum period allowed for each type of residence status, granted once 2. Permission for change from Corporate Investment (D-8) status to Chief Representative (D-7) status in a foreign enterprise of the same group Target applicants : Legally staying individuals holding D-8 status, working as essential professional personnel in a foreign-invested company, and intending to work at a domestic branch, subsidiary, representative office, or affiliated company (as designated by the Minister of Justice) of a foreign enterprise of the same group under a dispatch (transfer) order. Required documents : 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport and alien registration card, one standard photo, and fee 2. Statement of reasons for application 3. Dispatch order (issued by foreign head office) original or certificate of expected employment 4. Copy of permission for establishing domestic branch of foreign company or representative office (issued by foreign exchange bank) 5. Proof of same-group foreign enterprise affiliation (e.g., Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details) 6. Proof of business fund introduction for the company to be employed at (e.g., annual tax payment certificate, foreign exchange purchase certificate) 7. Original office lease contract 8. Current status of employed foreigners Additional documents if necessary : Original certificate of individual tax payment (e.g., previous year’s withholding tax certificate or recent income certificate) Other notes : For newly established branches and applicants with past violations of the Immigration Control Act, an on-site verification is mandatory. 3. Permission for change of residence status from Short-term Visit (C-3-4) visa to Chief Representative (D-7), Corporate Investment (D-8), or Trade and Management (D-9) for a Chilean national Eligibility : Applicants employed in a company in one of the contracting countries as a manager, executive, or professional expert, intending to work at that company, its subsidiary, or an affiliated company. Required documents : 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport, one standard photo, and fee 2. Certificate of employment from foreign company, etc. 3. Dispatch order (issued by head office) 4. Proof of establishment of domestic branch or representative office (e.g., permission for branch or representative office) 5. Proof of business fund introduction (e.g., foreign exchange purchase certificate) 6. Resume or certificate of career history 7. Copy of business registration certificate 8. Annual tax payment certificate |
| Permission for Extension of Stay | When extending the period of stay for holders of statuses such as Trade and Management (D-9), a certificate of individual tax payment must be collected.
Even if a foreign national performs work at a domestic business location but receives their salary from a foreign head office, they are subject to Eul-type earned income tax (unless otherwise stipulated in a tax treaty with the relevant country). This is to prevent tax evasion and ensure compliance with tax obligations. a. Individuals who joined an Eul-type taxpayer association and had their taxes withheld monthly by the association, with year-end settlement completed * Submit Eul-type earned income withholding receipt issued by the head of the taxpayer association b. Individuals who did not join an Eul-type taxpayer association and filed and paid comprehensive income tax * Submit certificate of income issued by the tax office having jurisdiction over the individual’s address ※ For Eul-type earned income, because the payer of income is not in Korea, the employee is responsible for fulfilling their tax obligations. If the individual has Eul-type earned income and has not joined a taxpayer association, they must file comprehensive income tax in May of the following year. If they join a taxpayer association, the association withholds income tax monthly and submits it to the relevant tax office by the 10th of the following month. * For inquiries about issuance of certificate of tax payment: National Tax Service Customer Satisfaction Center, 126 (no area code required) 1. Required Documents For persons under Form 1, Item 16, Chief Representative (D-7), subitem (a): 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, fee 2. Dispatch order (issued by foreign head office) or certificate of employment at foreign head office 3. Copy of domestic branch establishment approval or representative office approval (issued by foreign exchange bank) 4. Proof of business fund introduction: foreign exchange purchase certificate, lease contract, etc. 5. Certificate of individual tax payment: original certificate of individual tax payment, or previous year’s earned income withholding receipt, or certificate of income amount 6. Proof of residence: lease contract, accommodation provision confirmation, notice of expiration of stay, utility payment receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc. For persons under Form 1, Item 16, Chief Representative (D-7), subitem (b): 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, fee 2. Certificate of employment 3. Certificate of tax payment 4. Proof of residence: lease contract, accommodation provision confirmation, notice of expiration of stay, utility payment receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc. For members, affiliated advisors, and office staff of foreign law advisory offices: 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card, fee 2. Report of establishment of domestic branch, etc., and business registration certificate 3. Copy of foreign law advisory office and foreign advisor registration certificate 4. Dispatch order (issued by head office, specifying dispatch period) and certificate of employment (domestic branch) 5. Tax payment certificate and certificate of tax payment (individual and company) 6. Proof of residence: lease contract, accommodation provision confirmation, notice of expiration of stay, utility payment receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc. |
| Re-entry Permit | 1. Exemption from Re-entry Permit (Implemented under revised Enforcement Rules, Dec. 1, 2010)
* Foreigners who have completed registration are exempt from obtaining a re-entry permit if they intend to re-enter within one year from the date of departure. * If less than one year remains on the period of stay, exemption applies within the remaining period of stay. ※ However, individuals subject to entry restrictions or visa issuance restrictions must visit the immigration office (or branch/field office) having jurisdiction over their residence to obtain a re-entry permit and pay the applicable fee. 2. Multiple Re-entry Permit (Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya have restrictions on multiple re-entry permits. However, nationals of these countries with Marriage Immigration (F-6), Study (D-2), or General Training (D-4) status are eligible.) * Applicable when re-entering within two years after departure, exceeding one year from the period of stay. * Required documents: application form (Form No. 34), original passport, alien registration card, and fee |
| Foreigner Registration | 1. Documents Required for Alien Registration Application
1. Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard photo, and fee 2. Business registration certificate (foreign law advisory office registration certificate: only if applicable) 3. Proof of residence 2. Report of Changes in Alien Registration Details a. Items to report : Name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, issue date, and validity period b. Applicable changes : Changes or additions of affiliated institutions or organizations (including name changes) (effective from Nov. 16, 2010) c. Reporting period : Within 15 days from the date of change d. Required documents : 1. Application form (Form No. 34), passport and alien registration card, fee 2. Documents proving the relevant 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 and alien registration card, 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. Original Certificate of All Corporate Registration Details for the additional/changed workplace 6. Copy of business registration certificate for the additional/changed workplace |
| Others | Essential Professional Personnel
Category: Executive Scope: Individuals who primarily direct organizational management within the company, exercise broad decision-making authority, and, as the highest-ranking officers of the company, are subject only to general supervision from the board of directors or shareholders. Executives cannot directly perform the actual provision of services or tasks related to the organization’s services. Category: Senior Manager Scope: Individuals responsible for establishing and implementing the goals and policies of a company or department-level organization, holding authority over planning, direction, and supervision, as well as the authority (or recommendation rights) to hire and dismiss employees. They make decisions, supervise, and control the work of other supervisors, professionals, or managerial staff, or exercise discretion over routine operations. This does not include frontline supervisors who are not service providers, nor individuals directly engaged in the provision of services. Category: Specialist Scope: Individuals who possess highly specialized and exclusive experience and knowledge essential for research, design, technology, management, or other functions related to the company’s services. |
