Tech Startup (D-8-4) normally applies a points system (60 of 300 points), but K-Startup Grand Challenge participants and recipients of central or local government startup support (high-tech projects, direct project funds of 30 million won or more) are exempt if they meet all requirements. In both cases a corporation in the related technology field must be newly established after joining the program and the Minister of SMEs and Startups must recommend the status change; a recipient lacking the recommendation or the 2-year recognition period is credited 30 points for OASIS-9 completion and falls under the points system.
Key Summary
- Rule: points system, 60 or more of 300 points
- Exemption 1: K-Startup Grand Challenge participant within the last 2 years (short-term foreigner invited by the ministry), newly established corporation representative, ministerial recommendation
- Exemption 2: recipient under the Integrated Startup Support Notice (high-tech), direct project funds of 30 million won or more, same corporation and recommendation standards
- Recipients lacking the recommendation or the 2-year recognition period get 30 points for OASIS-9 and the points system applies
1. What is the points system and who is exempt?
Persons subject to the D-8-4 points system must score 60 or more out of 300 points. Persons classified as exempt (special-case tech startup persons) are not subject to it.
2. What must K-Startup Grand Challenge participants meet?
Within the last 2 years you must have been selected as a participant and be receiving or have received commercialization support. It is limited to short-term foreigners who entered at the ministry’s invitation to take part; a representative or employee of an overseas company that holds or commercializes the technology registered at participation is excluded.
3. What are the corporation and recommendation requirements?
The representative must be the participant who holds the technology, the business type must relate to the technology that was the basis of participation, and the corporation must be newly established after the participation date. The Minister of SMEs and Startups must also recommend the D-8-4 status change.
4. What about government startup support recipients?
Those selected within the last 2 years as recipients of central or local government startup support under the Integrated Startup Support Notice (high-tech projects only) and who received direct project funds of 30 million won or more. The corporation and ministerial recommendation standards are the same as for Grand Challenge participants.
5. What if there is no recommendation?
A person who received direct project funds of 30 million won or more but lacks the ministerial recommendation or the 2-year recognition period is credited 30 points for OASIS-9 completion under the D-8-4 points table, and the points system applies.
6. Common problems
- Not confirming the selection date falls within 2 years
- A corporation established before the participation date, failing the “newly established” condition
- Letting the ministerial recommendation’s validity period lapse
7. How A-One Certified Administrative Agent can help
We determine whether you are exempt or under the points system and check documents and recommendation timing. No result can be promised, and we do not handle litigation or court representation (outside the scope of an administrative scrivener).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points does D-8-4 need?
Persons under the points system need 60 or more of 300 points and must meet at least one mandatory item.
Are all Grand Challenge participants exempt?
Only those who meet all requirements, such as short-term foreigners invited by the ministry, and who obtain the recommendation. Overseas company representatives and employees are excluded.
How much support must a government program recipient have received?
Direct project funds of 30 million won or more from a central or local government body.
What if the recommendation or recognition period is missing?
OASIS-9 completion is credited 30 points and the points system applies.
When must the corporation be established?
It must be newly established after the program participation date.
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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