D-8-3 is the corporate investment status for essential personnel who work in management or production/technology at a business run by a Korean individual that has become a foreign-invested enterprise under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. The investment must be at least 100 million won with a stake of 10% or more of the total contribution, the foreigner must be registered as co-representative with a Korean on the business registration certificate, and the Korean co-owner's business funds must also be at least 100 million won.
Key Summary
- Eligible: essential personnel of a foreign-invested enterprise run by a Korean individual (persons hired in Korea excluded)
- Requirements: at least 100 million won invested, 10%+ of total contribution, co-representative with a Korean on the registration certificate
- The Korean co-owner's business funds must also be at least 100 million won
- Maximum stay per grant is 5 years, same as D-8-1 (the actual period depends on review)
1. What is D-8-3?
One of the corporate investment (D-8) sub-statuses: a foreigner invests in a business run by a Korean national as an individual and works in management or production/technology there. It differs from D-8-1, which covers investment in a corporation.
2. Who can apply?
Essential personnel of a business run by a Korean individual that has become a foreign-invested enterprise under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. Persons hired in Korea are excluded.
3. What are the investment requirements?
- The investment target is a business run by a Korean national (individual)
- Investment of at least 100 million won and ownership of 10% or more of the total contribution (Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, Article 2(2)1)
- Registered as co-representative with a Korean on the business registration certificate
- The Korean co-owner's business funds are at least 100 million won
4. Which documents are needed?
- Copy of the business registration certificate showing the co-owner, original joint-business agreement
- Copy of the foreign-invested enterprise registration certificate
- Proof of the Korean co-owner's business funds (and their use)
- Proof of bringing in investment funds (remittance confirmation, foreign exchange purchase certificate, customs declaration, etc.)
- For individual investors under 300 million won, additional documents such as proof of capital use
5. Review points
- Whether the joint-business agreement matches the business registration certificate
- Whether the route of funds (remittance, foreign exchange certificate) connects to how they were used
- Whether there is material proving the Korean co-owner's business funds of 100 million won or more
6. Common problems
- Not registered as co-representative on the business registration certificate
- A stake below 10%
- Funds remitted by someone else without checking the name requirement
7. How A-One Certified Administrative Agent can help
We check the investment structure (co-representation, stake) and document consistency and organize the submission. No result can be promised, and we do not handle litigation or court representation (outside the scope of an administrative scrivener).
Official Basis
"D-8-3: The investment target must be a business run by a Korean national (individual). Investment of at least 100 million won, ownership of 10% or more of the total contribution (Enforcement Decree of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, Art. 2(2)1), and registration as co-representative with a Korean on the business registration certificate. The Korean co-owner's business funds must be at least 100 million won." — Residence Manual by Status, Corporate Investment (D-8), requirements for change of status (summarized from the Korean original)
"Copy of the business registration certificate showing the co-owner, original joint-business agreement / copy of the foreign-invested enterprise registration certificate / proof of the Korean co-owner's business funds (and their use)"
Basis: Ministry of Justice Residence Manual by Status (as of September 2026). Immigration offices decide each case and may request additional documents; no outcome can be promised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a D-8 by investing in a sole proprietorship?
If the business run by a Korean individual becomes a foreign-invested enterprise and meets the requirements (100 million won or more, 10%+ stake, co-representative registration), you fall within D-8-3. Approval depends on review.
Do the Korean co-owner's funds matter?
Yes, the Korean co-owner's business funds must also be at least 100 million won.
Is co-representative registration mandatory?
The manual says you must be registered as co-representative with a Korean on the business registration certificate.
Are there more documents below 300 million won?
Individual investors below 300 million won submit additional documents such as proof of capital use.
How long can the stay be?
The maximum per grant is 5 years, and the actual period depends on review.
Related Guides
Consultation
에이원 행정사사무소 (A-One Certified Administrative Agent) is an administrative office that supports document preparation and filing with the authorities. Fees vary by case and are explained during a consultation. Phone 02-309-3107 · Contact: https://investkorea.co.kr/en/contact