A foreigner who enters on a D-8 visa obtained directly at a Korean mission follows the documents for a change of status when completing alien registration (those who obtained the visa through a visa issuance confirmation are excluded), and the registration documents are the application, original passport, photo, fee, business registration certificate and corporate registry copy (for corporate businesses) and proof of residence. The immigration office checks that the foreigner actually lives at the address on the application, enters the investment amount, industry and co-owner status, and uses the KOTRA foreign-invested enterprise registration information system to check whether the registration was cancelled during review.
Key Summary
- Registration documents: application, original passport, 1 photo, fee, business registration certificate and corporate registry copy (for corporations), proof of residence
- If a D-8 visa was obtained directly at a Korean mission, the change-of-status documents apply (visa issuance confirmation holders excluded)
- Checks: whether you actually live at the address on the application, and entry of investment amount, industry and co-owner status
- The KOTRA foreign-invested enterprise registration information system is used to look up cancellation status and more during review
1. How do I register after entering on D-8?
After entry you apply for alien registration at the immigration office with jurisdiction over your address. The manual lists the registration documents as follows.
2. Which documents are needed?
- Application (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard photo, fee
- Business registration certificate and corporate registry copy (for corporate businesses)
- Proof of residence (real estate lease, etc.)
A foreigner who obtained D-8 directly at a Korean mission follows the change-of-status documents. Those who obtained the visa through a visa issuance confirmation are excluded from that.
3. What does the immigration office check?
It checks whether you actually live at the address on the application and enters the alien registration details (entry date and port, visa details, accompanying persons, relationship to household head, business registration number) and essential management items (investment amount, industry, co-owner status) in the system. For those who invested in a business run by a Korean national and are co-owners or additional owners under 300 million won, a remark must always be entered.
4. What is the registration cancellation lookup?
Using each office's ID and password, immigration offices can use the KOTRA foreign-invested enterprise registration information system to look up the enterprise name, whether registration is cancelled, registration number, business registration number, investor name, address and more; this is used in reviews for visa issuance, entry permission, stay permission, investigation and naturalization. Korean missions can confirm by phone through KOTRA's investment consultation center.
5. What to check before registering
- Whether the address on the lease and other proof matches where you actually live
- Whether corporate registry and business registration data match the foreign-invested enterprise registration
- Check in advance that the enterprise registration is not cancelled
6. Common problems
- Proof of residence and actual residence differ, causing trouble at the check
- Applying without knowing the investment registration was cancelled
- A holder of a visa through a visa issuance confirmation assuming the change-of-status documents apply as-is
7. How A-One Certified Administrative Agent can help
We review the registration document package and the consistency of address and registration data before and after entry. No result can be promised, and we do not handle litigation or court representation (outside the scope of an administrative scrivener).
Official Basis
"Alien registration documents: (1) application (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard photo, fee (2) business registration certificate, corporate registry copy (for corporate businesses) (3) proof of residence (real estate lease, etc.). A foreigner who obtained D-8 directly at a Korean mission follows the change-of-status documents (those who obtained the visa by a visa issuance confirmation are excluded)." — Residence Manual by Status, Corporate Investment (D-8), alien registration (summarized from the Korean original)
"Lookup of foreign investor registration cancellation: use the KOTRA foreign-invested enterprise registration information system with each office's ID and password — used in visa issuance, entry permission, stay permission, investigation and naturalization reviews"
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
What must I do after entering on a D-8 visa?
Apply for alien registration at the immigration office with jurisdiction over your address.
What are the registration documents?
Application, original passport, standard photo, fee, business registration certificate and corporate registry copy (for corporations), and proof of residence.
Are the documents the same for a visa through a visa issuance confirmation?
The change-of-status documents apply to those who obtained D-8 directly at a Korean mission; those who used a visa issuance confirmation are excluded.
Do they check where I actually live?
Yes, they check whether you actually live at the address on the application.
Who looks up the registration cancellation?
Immigration offices and Korean missions check through the KOTRA foreign-invested enterprise registration information system and use it in 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