D-8 Corporate Investment Visa Korea — Complete Guide
If you plan to establish a Korean corporation or invest in an existing one and take an active management role, the D-8 Corporate Investment Visa is the entry point to long-term legal residence in Korea. Unlike a standard work visa, the D-8 is tied to your investment and executive standing — and it opens a clear pathway to permanent residency. This guide covers everything from eligibility to the F-5 route.
1. What Is the D-8 Visa?
The D-8 (Corporate Investment) visa is issued under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act to foreign nationals who invest in a Korean corporation and manage or operate that business. It is one of the most important long-term residency options for foreign entrepreneurs and investors in Korea.
Key Features
- Purpose: Management and operation of a foreign-invested Korean corporation
- Maximum stay: Up to 5 years per issuance, renewable
- Family sponsorship: Spouse and minor children may accompany on F-3 (dependent) visas
- Work authorization: Permitted for management/executive activities within the invested company
D-8 Sub-Categories
| Type | Target | Core Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| D-8-1 | CEO / Executive of a foreign-invested company | Minimum KRW 100 million invested |
| D-8-2 | Tech startup CEO / Executive | Technology-based business; specific tech criteria required |
| D-8-3 | Startup via professional recommendation | Recommendation from a designated public institution or VC |
2. Eligibility Requirements
Common Requirements for All Sub-Types
- Foreign Investment Registration: Completed registration with the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank)
- Corporation Established or Shares Acquired: Korean corporation duly established, or shares in an existing Korean corporation acquired
- Executive Role: Must be registered as CEO, director, auditor, or equivalent executive officer
- Employment Contract: Employment agreement with the invested corporation, or official documentation of appointment as a registered executive
Additional Requirements — D-8-1
- Minimum KRW 100 million (₩1억) fully paid in
- Corporation must meet the definition of a "foreign-invested enterprise" under Article 2 of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act
Additional Requirements — D-8-2
- Bachelor's degree or higher in science/engineering, or equivalent technical experience
- Technology-driven business plan submitted and verified by a relevant authority
Additional Requirements — D-8-3
- Recommendation letter from a designated organization (KOTRA, Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, accredited VC, etc.)
- Successful review of business viability
3. Minimum Investment Amount
D-8-1 Standard
| Corporation Type | Minimum Investment |
|---|---|
| Newly established corporation | KRW 100 million (approx. USD 72,000) |
| Acquisition of shares in existing corporation | KRW 100 million (based on shares acquired) |
Important: The investment amount must be fully paid and documented. Loans or borrowed funds do not qualify as investment capital.
D-8-2 and D-8-3
For technology-based startups and professionally recommended startups, the minimum investment threshold may be reduced or waived, with evaluation based on technology capabilities, business plan quality, and the recommending institution's assessment. Confirm the applicable threshold with the immigration office or a licensed professional before applying.
4. Required Documents
Universal Documents
- Integrated visa application form
- Valid passport (original + copy)
- One recent photo (taken within 6 months, 3.5×4.5 cm)
- Application fee
Corporate and Investment Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Foreign-Invested Enterprise Registration Certificate | Issued by Korea Eximbank |
| Corporate Registry Extract (법인등기부등본) | Issued within the past 3 months |
| Business Registration Certificate | Issued by the relevant tax office |
| Foreign Investment Report (수리 확인) | Confirmed acceptance from Eximbank |
| Shareholder Registry | Stamped with corporate seal |
Personal and Financial Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Employment contract or executive appointment document | For registered executives, the corporate registry may suffice |
| Bank statement confirming investment deposit | Proof of capital paid in |
| Business plan | Including operational and management plans |
| Most recent financial statements | Required for share acquisition in existing company |
| Tax compliance certificate | If applicable |
Document requirements vary by sub-type, application location (domestic vs. overseas), and individual circumstances. Professional consultation before filing is strongly recommended.
5. Application Process
Domestic Application (Change of Status / Extension)
① Prepare documents → ② Submit at local Immigration Office
→ ③ Review period (typically 2–4 weeks)
→ ④ Approval notification → ⑤ Collect Alien Registration Card (ARC)
Overseas Application (New Entry)
① Complete Korean corporation setup + Foreign Investment Registration
→ ② Apply at Korean Embassy or Consulate in your home country
→ ③ Review period (typically 5–10 business days)
→ ④ Visa issued → ⑤ Enter Korea → ⑥ Register as a foreign national
Processing Times
- Domestic: 2–4 weeks (with complete documents)
- Overseas: 5–10 business days (varies by consulate)
Requests for supplementary documents can extend processing time significantly.
6. Transitioning from D-8 to F-2 or F-5
The D-8 visa is one of the most direct routes to long-term residency and permanent residency in Korea.
F-2 거주 (Long-Term Residency) Visa
- Eligible while holding D-8 status if you accumulate enough points under the Points-Based F-2-7 System
- Points are awarded for age, education, Korean language proficiency, income, and length of stay (minimum 80 points required)
- The F-2 visa dramatically expands what activities you can engage in — including employment across industries
F-5 영주 (Permanent Residency) Visa
F-5-5 Route (Foreign Investor Permanent Residency):
| Requirement | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Investment maintained | KRW 300 million or more, OR 2+ Korean nationals employed |
| Continuous residence | 5 years or more on D-8 status |
| Income level | At or above per-capita GNI |
| Clean record | No immigration or criminal violations during stay |
Tip: Higher investment amounts and stronger employment creation records are viewed favorably in F-5 screening. Maintaining clean corporate accounting records from day one is essential.
7. FAQ
Q1. Can I work part-time at another company while on a D-8 visa? No. The D-8 visa authorizes management and executive activities only within your invested company. Any outside employment or side work without separate authorization is illegal.
Q2. Can I apply for a D-8 visa before setting up the Korean corporation? No. The Korean corporation must be formally established and the foreign investment must be registered before a D-8 application can be filed.
Q3. Can my spouse work in Korea on an F-3 dependent visa? Employment is generally not permitted under F-3. If your spouse wishes to work, they would need to apply for a separate work visa (e.g., E-7).
Q4. What happens if my D-8 visa expires? You must apply for an extension at the immigration office before the expiry date. Continued operation of the corporation and maintained investment are the key factors for renewal.
Q5. Does the KRW 100 million minimum need to be paid in all at once? As a general rule, the full amount must be paid in before the visa application is submitted. If you have a staged investment plan, consult a specialist beforehand.
Q6. Can a single-person corporation qualify for D-8? Yes. As long as the minimum investment of KRW 100 million is made and you are registered as the CEO (대표이사), even a sole-director corporation qualifies.
Free Consultation
The D-8 Corporate Investment Visa involves interconnected procedures — corporation setup, foreign investment registration, and visa application. Getting expert guidance from the start saves significant time and reduces the risk of costly errors.
Vision Administrative Scrivener Office
Tel. 02-363-2251 E. 5000meter@gmail.com Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–17:30 KST · Closed Sat, Sundays & Public Holidays
We guide you through every step of the D-8 visa process. Contact us today for a free consultation.