D-8 Visa Minimum Investment of KRW 100 Million: How to Transfer Your Investment Funds and What to Watch Out For
By law, the D-8 visa minimum investment is KRW 100 million or more. However, money sitting in a bank account doesn't count. The amount is recognized only through a record of funds sent via the designated channel after you've filed your Foreign Investment Report. This guide is for foreign investors who want a D-8 visa, either by setting up a company in Korea or by acquiring shares in an existing one.
The Legal Standard Behind the D-8 Visa Minimum Investment of KRW 100 Million
Investment requirements set by law
There are two key requirements. The investment must be at least KRW 100 million, and the investor must hold at least 10% of the company's voting shares. If either one is missing, it won't be recognized as a foreign investment.
Is hitting KRW 100 million enough?
It looks simple, but this is where the problems start. KRW 100 million is only the legal minimum for an investment to qualify as foreign investment. In actual reviews, officers also look at business size, industry, and hiring plans, and internal immigration guidelines sometimes set a bar higher than the legal minimum. These guidelines change often, so we recommend confirming this year's exact threshold during a consultation.
| Item | Legal Requirement | What Reviewers Look At |
|---|---|---|
| Investment amount | KRW 100 million or more | Whether it still exceeds the threshold after exchange rate changes |
| Equity stake | At least 10% of voting shares | How shares are split with co-investors |
| Type of investment | Acquiring new shares or existing shares | Whether the company actually operates a business |
| Fund route | Transfer through a foreign exchange bank | Whether the sender and the investor are the same person |
The Fund Transfer Process: Order Comes First
File the Foreign Investment Report before sending money
The most common mistake in practice is getting the order wrong. If you send the money first and file the report afterward, it's hard to get those funds recognized as foreign investment capital. You file the Foreign Investment Report with KOTRA Invest Korea or a foreign exchange bank, and only send the funds after the report is filed.
Step-by-step transfer process
- File the Foreign Investment Report (KOTRA or a foreign exchange bank)
- Send the investment funds from abroad to the bank account named in the report
- Get a Certificate of Foreign Currency Purchase from the bank
- Pay in the share capital and register the company's incorporation
- Register the business
- Register as a Foreign-Invested Company
| Step | Handling Authority | Document Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Investment report | KOTRA / Foreign exchange bank | Foreign Investment Report |
| Fund transfer | Foreign exchange bank | Certificate of Foreign Currency Purchase |
| Incorporation | Local registry office | Certificate of Corporate Registration |
| Business registration | Local tax office | Business Registration Certificate |
| Company registration | KOTRA / Foreign exchange bank | Certificate of Foreign-Invested Company Registration |
Practical tip: The Certificate of Foreign Currency Purchase is the key document that proves your investment funds actually arrived when you apply for the D-8. Get it from the bank right after the transfer so you don't lose time tracking it down later.
Comparing Transfer Methods and How to Choose
Transferring from an overseas bank account
The safest option is to send funds from an overseas account in your own name to a Korean foreign exchange bank. The transfer purpose field should make clear that the money is foreign investment capital. If the purpose is wrongly listed as living expenses or a personal transfer, you'll face a longer explanation process before the funds are accepted as investment.
Split transfers and carrying cash in person
You can send the investment in several installments. However, each transfer comes with its own Certificate of Foreign Currency Purchase, so make sure yourself that the total exceeds the threshold. Bringing cash with you when you enter Korea requires a separate declaration to the Korea Customs Service, and you'll have much more to explain during the foreign investment review.
| Transfer Method | Advantages | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Lump-sum transfer from your own overseas account | Simple, clear fund trail | Check the stated transfer purpose |
| Split transfers | Flexible to fit your cash flow | Track proof for each transfer and the total |
| Carrying cash in person | An option when banking isn't feasible | Customs declaration and a heavy burden of explanation |
| Transfer by a third party on your behalf | Rarely recommended | Hard to prove the funds are the investor's own |
Fees vary by transfer method and bank. Since costs differ case by case, we'll give you exact figures during a consultation.
If you're not sure which method fits your situation, checking before you send the money will actually save you time. Book a consultation now → 02-309-3107 / KakaoTalk: alexkorea
Common Pitfalls When Transferring Investment Funds
Falling short because of exchange rate swings
When you send foreign currency, the amount is set by the exchange rate at the moment it's converted to Korean won. There are real cases where the transfer was over KRW 100 million when sent, but the rate dropped by conversion time and the amount fell short. That's why practitioners advise sending a comfortable buffer rather than the exact minimum.
The sender's name doesn't match
A detail many people miss is the sender's name. If the money comes from a family member's account or an overseas corporate account, reviewers may decide it isn't the investor's own investment. In a recent similar case, a name issue alone triggered a request for more documents and pushed the timeline back significantly.
Caution: If you withdraw the investment right after the transfer and use it personally, it may be suspected as a sham capital contribution. There needs to be a clear trail showing the funds were used to run the company.
Proving the Source of Funds: The Explanation Matters More Than the Paperwork
What reviewers actually ask
For the D-8, how well you explain your funds often matters more than how many documents you submit. Even if the money is in your account, a weak explanation of where it came from can quickly derail your application. In actual reviews, officers check how the funds came about, such as salary, business income, real estate sales, or gifts.
Helpful documents to prepare
- Recent transaction history from your home-country bank
- Proof of income (employment certificate, tax payment certificate, business documents)
- Asset sale contracts and records of payment received
- For gifts: a gift agreement and proof of the giver's funds
- Notarized translations or apostilles
Each country accepts different document formats, and some require additional verification. During your consultation, we'll go over exactly which documents you need based on your nationality.
Remaining Steps From Transfer to D-8 Visa Application
After registering as a Foreign-Invested Company
Once the funds are sent and the company is incorporated, you register as a Foreign-Invested Company and then move on to the D-8 application. You can book an in-person appointment through HiKorea or apply for a visa through a Korean embassy or consulate abroad. The key documents are your office lease agreement, business plan, and Certificate of Foreign-Invested Company Registration.
Where applications usually get stuck
For the business plan, being convincing matters more than being long. If it doesn't clearly show how the investment will be used and what revenue you expect, you'll get a request for more information. Processing times vary by immigration office, so check with the office that handles your case. For details, we also recommend checking announcements from the Korea Immigration Service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What exactly is the D-8 visa minimum investment? The legal requirement is KRW 100 million or more, plus at least 10% of the voting shares. However, reviewers sometimes apply a higher bar, so we recommend checking in advance.
Q2. Can I send the funds first and file the report later? We don't recommend it. You must file the Foreign Investment Report first for the transfer to count as foreign investment capital.
Q3. Will a transfer from a family member's account be accepted? It may be hard to get it recognized as the investor's own funds. If it can't be avoided, you'll need to separately explain the gift relationship and the flow of funds.
Q4. Can I split the investment into multiple transfers? Yes. Keep every Certificate of Foreign Currency Purchase and make sure the total exceeds the threshold.
Q5. Can I use the investment funds right after the transfer? Yes, if they're used to run the company. Taking them out for personal use may be suspected as a sham capital contribution, so keep records of how the money is spent.
Q6. How much are the transfer fees and service costs? They're made up of government-set fees plus administrative processing costs. Since costs differ case by case, we'll give you exact figures during a consultation.
Need Expert Advice?
People who go it alone most often get stuck in three places: the order of steps, the sender's name, and explaining the source of funds. A transfer sent the wrong way is hard to reverse, and a request for more documents can push your timeline back by months. Immigration review standards change often, so check the current criteria before you send any money.
A-One Administrative Agency Services
A-One Administrative Agency handles the entire process in one flow, from the Foreign Investment Report to incorporation, Foreign-Invested Company registration, and your D-8 visa application.
- Guidance on the Foreign Investment Report and fund transfer process
- Review of source-of-funds documentation
- Coordinated incorporation and business registration
- Help writing your D-8 business plan
- Consultations on visa extensions and changes of status
A-One Administrative Agency
- Phone: 02-309-3107
- KakaoTalk: alexkorea
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 43, Cheonho-daero 101-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Need Expert Consultation?
Don't navigate complex procedures alone. Our professional consultants will guide you.
Check on the official website: HiKorea