To extend a points-based trade visa (D-9-1), you need at least 5 points from the required item, trade performance, out of the 50-point extension table, and your total score decides the length of the extension. Without any required-item points the extension is refused, and from the second extension onward a score of 10 or below is refused. Trade performance is proved with one of an export-import performance certificate, an export performance certificate or online mall transaction records.
This guide is for foreign traders who obtained trade status (D-9-1) under the points system and are facing their first or a later extension. The 160-point table used when you first obtain the status and the 50-point table used at extension differ in both items and thresholds, so build up your performance, hiring and tax records ahead of the extension date.
Key Summary
- Approval requirement: at least 5 required-item points out of the 50-point trade visa table, with each extension standard applied
- Without any required-item (trade performance) points, the extension is refused
- First extension: 10 points or below 6 months, 11 to 20 points 1 year, 21 points or more 2 years
- From the second extension: 10 points or below refused, 11 to 30 points 1 year, 31 points or more 2 years
- Recommendation exception: if a trade education institution recommends you after its own review, this counts as the required-item score (5 points), up to 4 times for the same person
- Advanced course exception: completing an advanced course (30 hours or more) at a trade education institution adds 3 points to the optional items
- Proof of trade performance (choose one): export-import performance certificate, export performance certificate issued by a foreign exchange bank, online mall transaction records (recognized up to 40% of performance not reported as exports/imports)
1. Extension requirement: at least 5 required-item points
To extend a points-based trade visa (D-9-1), you must have at least 5 required-item points out of the 50-point trade visa table, and each extension standard in the score table is applied. Without any required-item points, the extension is refused. If you are co-representative with a foreign national holding the same status, points are applied at 1/n at extension as well.
The requirements for first obtaining the status are covered separately in Changing to the points-based trade visa (D-9-1).
2. Required item: trade performance table (up to 30 points)
The extension table totals 50 points, and trade performance (annual average for the most recent 2 years as of the application date, up to 30 points) is the required item.
| Category | Threshold | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Export performance | USD 500,000 or more | 30 |
| Export performance | USD 300,000 or more | 25 |
| Export performance | USD 100,000 or more | 15 |
| Export performance | USD 50,000 or more | 8 |
| Trade performance (exports + imports) | USD 70,000 or more | 5 |
| Extension recommendation from a specialized education institution | 5 |
Items cannot be counted together; only the single highest score is counted. An extension recommendation from the head of a specialized education institution is recognized at most 4 times for the same person.
Recommendation exception: if a trade education institution recommends a foreign national after its own review, this is recognized as the required-item score (5 points) and the extension is allowed. This opens a path for early-stage traders whose performance has not yet reached the threshold, but because the number of times is limited, performance needs to grow in the meantime.
3. Optional items: hiring Korean nationals, tax payments and the advanced course
Hiring Korean nationals (only full-time employees continuously employed for 6 months or more as of the application date, up to 10 points): 3 or more 10 points, 2 or more 5 points, 1 or more 2 points. Items cannot be counted together.
Tax payments (annual personal income tax paid, up to 7 points)
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| KRW 5 million or more | 7 |
| KRW 4 million to less than 5 million | 5 |
| KRW 3 million to less than 4 million | 3 |
| KRW 2 million to less than 3 million | 1 |
Tax payments are assessed on the previous year's income tax payment certificate issued by the National Tax Service.
Completion of an advanced trade course: 3 points. This applies to those who completed an advanced course opened by a specialized trade education institution and approved by the Ministry of Justice, within 1 year before the application date. On the extension side, it is stated that foreign nationals who completed an advanced course (30 hours or more) at a trade education institution receive 3 additional points on the optional items needed for the extension.
4. First extension: stay period by score
The first extension means the first extension after D-9-1 visa issuance or change of status.
| Score | Stay granted |
|---|---|
| 10 points or below | 6 months |
| 11 to 20 points | 1 year |
| 21 points or more | 2 years |
Even at 10 points or below, the required-item (trade performance) score must be at least 5 points, and you are notified that from the second extension onward an extension for those at 10 points or below is refused.
For example, with an annual average export performance of USD 100,000 or more over the most recent 2 years (15 points), 2 full-time Korean employees continuously employed for 6 months or more (5 points), and previous-year income tax of KRW 2 million to less than 3 million (1 point), the total is 21 points, which falls in the 2-year band for the first extension. Conversely, if you only have trade performance (exports + imports) of USD 70,000 or more (5 points), the first extension falls in the 6-month band, and if nothing changes the second extension falls in the refusal band.
5. From the second extension: the bar rises
| Score | Stay granted |
|---|---|
| 10 points or below | Extension refused |
| 11 to 30 points | 1 year |
| 31 points or more | 2 years |
From the second extension, the 2-year band rises to 31 points or more, and 10 points or below is refused. If your first extension was 6 months, decide within that period whether to raise trade performance, Korean hiring or tax payments.
6. Extension documents and how to prove trade performance
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Application form (Form No. 34), passport, alien registration card | Common |
| Copy of business registration certificate, proof that the business premises exist | Lease contract, etc. |
| Proof of residence | Lease contract, proof of monthly rent payments, etc. |
| Proof for the points claimed | By item, below |
Proof of trade performance (choose one)
- Export-import performance certificate issued by the Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association or the President of the Korea Trade Statistics Promotion Institute
- Export performance certificate issued by a foreign exchange bank
- Online mall transaction records (however, recognized only up to 40% of performance not reported as exports/imports)
Because online mall records are recognized only up to 40%, not for all unreported transactions, traders with a large share of overseas sales are better off also building performance that goes through export declarations.
Proof of Korean hiring: employment insurance documents (full-time, continuously employed for 6 months or more). Proof of tax payments: income tax payment certificate issued by the National Tax Service.
7. Common problems
- Having hiring and tax points but less than 5 points from the trade performance required item
- Receiving the first extension at 10 points or below and then being refused at the second extension because the score did not rise
- Counting employees hired less than 6 months ago, or non-full-time employees, toward Korean hiring
- Counting the full amount of online mall transactions as trade performance
- Assuming the extension recommendation can be used more than 4 times
- Losing the bonus because more than 1 year has passed since completing the advanced course
8. How A-One Certified Administrative Agent can help
We calculate trade performance, Korean hiring and tax payment points in advance against your extension date, and map out which performance to strengthen for the first and second extension bands. We also review the document set, including the export-import performance certificate, employment insurance documents and tax payment certificate. We do not act as an agent for tax filings or export/import declarations. The immigration office decides each case, so no result can be promised, and we do not handle litigation or court representation (outside the scope of an Administrative Agent).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum score for a D-9-1 extension?
You need at least 5 required-item (trade performance) points out of 50. The first extension has a 6-month band even at 10 points or below, but from the second extension a score of 10 or below is refused.
If my trade performance is short, is an extension impossible?
If a trade education institution recommends you after its own review, this counts as the required-item score (5 points). However, an extension recommendation from the head of a specialized education institution is recognized at most 4 times for the same person.
Do online shopping mall sales count as trade performance?
Online mall transaction records can be submitted as proof of trade performance, but they are recognized only up to 40% of performance not reported as exports/imports.
How many points do I get for hiring staff?
For full-time Korean employees continuously employed for 6 months or more as of the application date: 3 or more gives 10 points, 2 or more gives 5 points, 1 or more gives 2 points. This is proved with employment insurance documents.
What does the advanced course give me?
If you completed an advanced course opened by a specialized trade education institution and approved by the Ministry of Justice within 1 year before the application date, 3 points are added to your extension score.
Related Guides
- Changing to the points-based trade visa (D-9-1)
- The trade management route for foreign sole proprietors
- Tax proof at extension when you are paid by an overseas head office
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