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Technology Startup (D-8-4) Startup Visa — 60-Point System and Special-Track Application Services

The corporate investment visa for corporate founders with a degree and technology, from points calculation and special tracks to extension

The technology startup (D-8-4) visa is a corporate investment status of stay for people who hold an associate degree or higher from Korea or a bachelor's degree or higher from abroad, or who are recommended by the head of a relevant central administrative agency, and who found a Korean corporation based on technology such as intellectual property. Applicants must score at least 60 of 300 points under the points system (including at least one mandatory item) and complete corporate registration and business registration; participants in the K-Startup Grand Challenge, beneficiaries of government startup support programs and those recommended for the Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4S) are exempt from the points system, and the maximum period of stay granted at one time is 2 years. A-One Certified Administrative Agent handles everything from points calculation and incorporation to the D-8-4 application and extension.

D-8-4 Technology Startup Visa Services Handled by A-One

Find your situation

At a glance

WhoCorporate founders with technology such as intellectual property who hold an associate degree or higher from Korea or a bachelor's degree or higher from abroad, or who are recommended by the head of a relevant central administrative agency
RequirementsAt least 60 of 300 points (at least one mandatory item) + completed corporate registration and business registration / Special tracks: K-Startup Grand Challenge participants, government startup support program beneficiaries, those recommended for the Startup Korea Special Visa (recommendation by the Minister of SMEs and Startups)
ProcessCheck points or special-track eligibility → prepare OASIS completion and intellectual property proof → incorporation → change of status (or visa application) → alien registration
DocumentsApplication form, passport, photo, proof of residence, certified corporate register and business registration certificate, degree certificate or letter of recommendation, proof for points items (intellectual property, OASIS completion certificates, etc.) or recommendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups
Processing timeVaries with OASIS course and recommendation schedules and the review at the competent immigration office

Documents for Change of Status to D-8-4

  • Application form, passport, standard-size photo, proof of residence
  • Certified corporate register, copy of business registration certificate (points system and special visa applicants applying before incorporation submit within 6 months)
  • Copy of degree certificate or letter of recommendation from the head of a relevant central administrative agency
  • Points system applicants: copy of intellectual property registration certificate or certificate of filing, proof of OASIS completion, awards or selection, and proof for other points items
  • Special-track applicants: recommendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups (K-Startup Grand Challenge participants include a participation confirmation)
D-8 Corporate Investment Visa overviewCompare all four sub-categories: D-8-1, D-8-2, D-8-3 and D-8-4.

Questions by situation

Each answer starts with the conclusion, then the cases, documents and timing.

How do I reach 60 points under the D-8-4 startup visa points system?

You need at least 60 of 300 points and must meet at least one mandatory item. The mandatory items are holding, inventing or filing intellectual property; benefiting from a government startup support program or completing OASIS-6 or OASIS-9; at least 3 years of stay on professor or research status; and attracting investment of at least KRW 100 million from an accelerator, venture capital firm or similar. Points from optional items such as OASIS courses, Korean language ability and a master's degree or higher are then added. We first calculate the score sheet with the items you have.

What is the OASIS program and why does it matter for D-8-4?

OASIS is the Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System program run by Global Startup Immigration Centers designated by the Minister of Justice. Completion certificates for each course, award confirmations and selection letters serve as proof for D-8-4 points items. When the mandatory items fall short, they are often met through OASIS completion.

Am I exempt from the D-8-4 points system if I am selected for a government startup support program?

If, within the last 2 years, you were selected for a startup support program (high-technology based) of a central administrative agency or local government under the integrated startup support program announcement, received at least KRW 30 million in direct project funding, and are recommended by the Minister of SMEs and Startups, you are exempt from the points system. K-Startup Grand Challenge participants who meet the requirements are also exempt. If you cannot meet the recommendation requirements, we look at getting the support recognized as a points item instead.

How do I get the Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4S)?

You must pass the review of the private evaluation committee for Startup Korea Special Visa recommendations, receive a recommendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups, and establish a corporation in a business related to the technology reviewed by the committee. You apply for stay permission within the validity period of the recommendation. The points system does not apply.

Can I apply for D-8-4 before incorporating?

Applicants under the points system and Startup Korea Special Visa applicants can apply first, without the certified corporate register and business registration certificate, even if incorporation is not complete. In that case, they must submit both documents and obtain an extension of stay within 6 months. Plan the incorporation schedule before applying.

Is a degree required for D-8-4?

You need an associate degree or higher from Korea or a bachelor's degree or higher from abroad, or a recommendation from the head of a relevant central administrative agency. You submit a copy of the degree certificate or the letter of recommendation. An associate degree or higher from a Korean university meets the degree requirement.

Does a patent application alone earn D-8-4 points?

Filing intellectual property is also a points item, proven with a certificate of filing issued by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office. Registered patents, utility models and designs earn higher points, and rights registered in OECD countries are also accepted with supporting documents (apostille as a rule). If your change of status was granted based on a filing, registration documents are checked again at extension.

Can an international student who graduated from a Korean university switch to D-8-4?

If you meet the degree requirement and the points system (or special-track) requirements, you can apply for a change of status. We first check whether a change is allowed from your current status.

What is reviewed when extending a D-8-4 visa?

You submit the certified corporate register and business registration certificate, proof of business operations, tax payment certificate and proof of residence. If permission was granted based on an intellectual property filing, you also submit a copy of the registration certificate. Because the maximum period granted at one time is 2 years, keep building a steady business record.

Can a D-8-4 founder obtain permanent residency (F-5)?

Attracting investment of at least KRW 300 million on technology startup (D-8-4) status and employing at least two Korean nationals makes you eligible for technology startup investor permanent residency (F-5-24). Prepare the investment agreement, deposit records and proof of employment. From the early stage of your startup, investment and hiring plans can be aligned with the permanent residency requirements.

Key terms

Technology Startup (D-8-4, 기술 창업)
The corporate investment sub-type granted under the points system or a special track to corporate founders with a degree and technology such as intellectual property.
Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4S, 스타트업 코리아 특별비자)
A technology startup special-track status for technology founders who pass the private evaluation committee review and receive a recommendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups.
Points system (점수제)
An assessment method that adds up mandatory and optional item points; a score of at least 60 of 300 meets the D-8-4 requirements.
OASIS (창업이민종합지원시스템)
Startup education and support courses run by Global Startup Immigration Centers; completion records count as D-8-4 points items.
K-Startup Grand Challenge (K-Startup 그랜드챌린지)
A Ministry of SMEs and Startups program that invites overseas founders; participants who meet the requirements are exempt from the D-8-4 points system.
Certificate of filing (출원사실증명서)
A document issued by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office certifying that a patent or other intellectual property application has been filed.
Technology Startup Investor Permanent Residency (F-5-24, 기술창업 투자자 영주)
The permanent residency sub-type for people who attract investment of at least KRW 300 million on D-8-4 status and employ at least two Korean nationals.

Office information

Office
A-One Certified Administrative Agent
Principal administrative agent
Jeong Hee-jeong
Services
Foreign-invested company setup, branch and liaison office setup, D-8 and D-7 visas, investor permanent residency (F-5)
Languages
Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese
Address
43, Cheonho-daero 101-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Hours
Weekdays 09:30–17:30 (KST)

Who works with us

  • International students who graduated from a Korean university and want to launch a technology startup
  • Overseas founders selected for the K-Startup Grand Challenge or government startup support programs
  • Engineers who want to found a corporation based on patented or patent-pending technology
  • Founders planning toward permanent residency (F-5-24) after attracting investment

D-8 visa consultation

We review your investment structure and documents and set out the right sub-category and order of steps.

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