D-8 Visa Korea Requirements 2025: Complete Guide for Foreign Investors

Foreign entrepreneurs establishing companies in South Korea need the right visa to legally reside and manage their Korean business operations. The D-8 Corporate Investor Visa is the primary immigration pathway for foreign nationals who incorporate companies in Korea.

This comprehensive guide from SMA Lawfirm explains D-8 visa requirements, investment thresholds, application procedures, and processing timelines based on our experience helping 200+ foreign investors navigate Korean immigration law.

Table of contents

What is the D-8 Visa?

The D-8 Corporate Investor Visa allows foreign nationals to live and work in Korea to manage a company they’ve invested in or established. This visa is specifically designed for:

• Foreign entrepreneurs starting new businesses in Korea
• Corporate investors who establish Korean subsidiaries
• Active business owners managing Korean operations (not passive investors)

Key benefit: Unlike work visas (E-series), the D-8 visa allows you to be an employee, executive, or shareholder of your own Korean company with full operational control.

D-8 Visa Investment Requirements

Minimum Investment Amount

The standard minimum investment for a D-8 visa is:

• ₩100 million (approximately USD $75,000)
• Must be deposited as share capital in the Korean company
• Must be transferred from abroad and registered as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Important: This is share capital, not operational expenses. The funds must remain in the company’s capital structure — you cannot withdraw this amount as salary or dividends immediately.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

Some regional governments offer reduced investment thresholds (as low as ₩50-70 million) for companies establishing in designated Free Economic Zones or Special Economic Zones. Contact SMA Lawfirm to explore these options.

D-8 Visa Eligibility Requirements

1. Company Registration

You must first incorporate a Korean company:

• LLC (Yuhan Hoesa) or JSC (Chusik Hoesa) — most common
• Branch office of a foreign parent company
• Company must have a valid Business Registration Certificate (사업자등록증)

2. Business Plan

Submit a detailed business plan including:

• Company overview and business model
• Market analysis for the Korean market
• Financial projections (3-5 years)
• Job creation potential
• Contribution to the Korean economy

Tip: Immigration officers assess the viability and economic contribution of your business. A well-prepared plan significantly increases approval chances.

3. Office Address

Prove you have a registered business address in Korea:

• Physical office lease agreement
• Virtual office agreement (accepted in most cases)
• Must match the address on your Business Registration Certificate

4. Financial Proof

Demonstrate financial stability:

• Proof of capital deposit (₩100M+)
• Bank statements showing operational funds
• Source of funds documentation (if required)

5. Educational Background or Business Experience

While not always mandatory, having relevant qualifications helps:

• University degree related to your business
• Proven business management experience
• Track record in your industry

D-8 Visa Application Process

Step 1: Incorporate Your Korean Company

Before applying for a D-8 visa, you must:

• Register your Korean company (LLC or JSC)
• Obtain a Business Registration Certificate
• Register as a Foreign Direct Investment (if applicable)
• Open a corporate bank account

Timeline: 2-4 weeks

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

Gather the following documents:

Personal Documents:

• Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• Passport-sized photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
• Criminal background check from home country (apostilled)
• Health certificate (if required)

Company Documents:

• Corporate registration certificate (법인등기부등본)
• Business Registration Certificate (사업자등록증)
• Articles of Incorporation
• FDI registration certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of capital deposit (bank confirmation)
• Office lease agreement
• Business plan

Financial Documents:

• Company bank account statements
• Proof of capital transfer from abroad
• Source of funds documentation (if requested)

Step 3: Submit Application

Option A: Apply from Outside Korea (Recommended)

• Apply at the Korean consulate/embassy in your home country
• Receive a visa issuance number → travel to Korea → convert to residence card

Option B: Apply Inside Korea (If eligible)

• Enter Korea on a different visa (e.g., B-1/B-2 tourist visa)
• Apply for D-8 status change at immigration office
• Risk: Change of status applications have stricter requirements and lower approval rates

Tip: SMA Lawfirm recommends applying from outside Korea for first-time applicants to maximize approval chances.

Step 4: Interview & Submission

• Attend an interview at the immigration office or consulate (if required)
• Answer questions about your business plan and investment
• Submit all original documents and translations

Step 5: Receive Visa & Residence Card

• Processing time: 4-8 weeks (embassy applications) or 2-4 weeks (domestic applications)
• Once approved, enter Korea and convert to Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days

D-8 Visa Validity & Renewal

Initial Visa Period

• First issuance: Typically 1 year or 2 years
• Depends on business plan assessment and financial stability

Renewal Requirements

To renew your D-8 visa, you must demonstrate:

• Company remains active and profitable
• Compliance with tax and social insurance obligations
• Continued investment in the Korean company
• Job creation (if promised in the business plan)
• No criminal record or immigration violations

Renewal timeline: Apply 2-3 months before expiration.

Path to Permanent Residency (F-5)

After 5+ years on a D-8 visa with a successful business, you may qualify for F-5 Permanent Residency if you meet:

• Minimum investment maintained (₩500M+ for standard F-5 investor path)
• Tax compliance
• No criminal record
• Korean language proficiency (TOPIK Level 2-4 depending on investment)

Common D-8 Visa Rejections & How to Avoid Them

1. Insufficient Business Plan

Problem: Vague or unrealistic business plans showing no clear revenue model or market research.

Solution: Hire a professional to draft a detailed, data-driven business plan with realistic financial projections.

2. Failure to Prove FDI Registration

Problem: Capital not properly registered as Foreign Direct Investment.

Solution: Work with a Korean attorney to ensure proper FDI registration through the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

3. Inadequate Capital Proof

Problem: Cannot prove ₩100M was transferred from abroad or deposited as company capital.

Solution: Maintain clear paper trail of international wire transfers and obtain bank confirmation letters.

4. Unclear Source of Funds

Problem: Immigration suspects funds may be borrowed or not legitimately owned.

Solution: Prepare documentation showing employment history, business income, or inheritance/gift records.

D-8 Visa vs Other Business Visas

When to choose D-8: You want to own and operate a Korean company, not just work as an employee.

Family Members: F-3 Dependent Visa

D-8 visa holders can sponsor immediate family members (spouse, children under 20) for an F-3 Dependent Visa:

• Same validity period as D-8 visa
• Allows dependents to live in Korea
• Spouse can apply for work permits
• Children can attend Korean schools

How SMA Lawfirm Assists with D-8 Visa Applications

At SMA Lawfirm, we provide end-to-end D-8 visa support:

Company Formation + D-8 Visa Package

1. Entity selection (LLC vs. JSC consultation)
2. Company incorporation and business registration
3. FDI registration with KOTRA
4. Corporate bank account setup coordination
5. Business plan drafting tailored for immigration approval
6. Document preparation (all translations and notarizations)
7. Visa application submission and follow-up
8. Interview preparation and attendance (if requested)

Why Choose SMA?

• 200+ foreign companies successfully established in Korea
• Licensed Korean attorneys with 10+ years experience
• Bilingual support — no Korean language required
• Transparent fees — fixed price, no hourly billing
• 1-2 week incorporation + 4-8 week visa processing

D-8 Visa Application Timeline

Here’s the typical timeline when working with SMA Lawfirm:

Expedited service available for urgent cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a D-8 visa before incorporating my company?

No. You must first establish and register your Korean company, deposit the capital, and obtain a Business Registration Certificate before applying for a D-8 visa.

Can I work for other companies on a D-8 visa?

No. The D-8 visa is tied to your investment in your own company. If you want to work for other employers, you need an E-series work visa.

What happens if my business fails?

If your business closes or becomes inactive, you must notify immigration within 30 days. You may lose D-8 visa status and need to switch to another visa category or leave Korea.

Can I invest less than ₩100 million?

In theory, companies can be formed with lower capital, but ₩100 million is the standard threshold for D-8 visa approval recognized by immigration offices nationwide. Some special zones offer lower thresholds.

How long does D-8 visa processing take?

• Embassy application (from outside Korea): 4-8 weeks
• Change of status (inside Korea): 2-4 weeks, but higher rejection risk

Can I bring my family to Korea on a D-8 visa?

Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 20 can apply for F-3 dependent visas.

Get Expert D-8 Visa Assistance

Navigating Korea’s corporate investor visa requirements is complex — especially when coordinating company formation, FDI registration, and immigration applications simultaneously.

SMA Lawfirm handles the entire process from incorporation to visa approval, ensuring compliance with Korean corporate law, tax regulations, and immigration rules.

📩 Ready to establish your Korean company and secure your D-8 visa? Contact SMA Lawfirm or start your secure intake — we respond within 1 business day with a transparent fee proposal and timeline.

Related Resources:

• Korea Company Formation Guide 2025
• LLC vs. JSC in Korea
• Step-by-Step Company Registration
• Korea Company Formation Costs