Register a Company in Korea Without Speaking Korean: 2025 Guide

Can I start a company in Korea without speaking Korean?

Yes — and it’s more straightforward than most foreign entrepreneurs expect.

While Korean is the official business language, South Korea’s government actively supports foreign investment through streamlined processes, English-language services, and bilingual legal professionals who handle the Korean-language requirements on your behalf.

This guide from SMA Lawfirm explains exactly how foreign entrepreneurs register companies in Korea without Korean language skills — and which services make the process seamless.

Table of contents

The Reality: Korean Language Barriers Are Manageable

What Requires Korean Language

These critical steps are conducted in Korean:

• Government filings (corporate registration, tax registration)
• Legal documents (Articles of Incorporation, shareholder agreements)
• Bank communications (account opening, bank confirmations)
• Notarization and apostille processes
• Immigration applications (visa documents, interviews)

What’s Available in English

Many aspects of Korean business support foreign investors in English:

• KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) — English-language FDI support
• Major banks — International business centers with English-speaking staff
• Legal and accounting firms — Bilingual professional services
• Government websites — Many key resources available in English

Key insight: You don’t personally need Korean fluency — you need bilingual representation to handle the Korean-language requirements while maintaining an English workflow with you.

How Bilingual Legal Services Work

End-to-End English Workflow

At SMA Lawfirm, we provide fully English-language company formation services:

1. Initial consultation in English

   • Email or video call to discuss your business goals
   • No Korean translation required for your communications

2. Document preparation

   • We draft all corporate documents bilingually (Korean + English versions)
   • You review English versions, we handle Korean filings

3. Government coordination

   • We communicate with Korean registry offices, tax authorities, and banks in Korean
   • You receive English status updates via email

4. Bank account setup

   • We coordinate with banks that have English-speaking international business teams
   • We accompany you to appointments and translate in real-time if needed

5. Ongoing compliance

   • Tax filings, labor registrations, annual reports — all managed in Korean
   • You receive English summaries of all filings

Result: You manage your entire Korean company formation in English, never needing to speak or read Korean.

Step-by-Step: Registering Without Korean Language

Step 1: Choose Your Entity Type (No Korean Required)

Your bilingual attorney will explain:

• LLC (Yuhan Hoesa) vs. JSC (Chusik Hoesa) differences
• Capital requirements and governance structures
• Tax implications and compliance obligations

Documents needed from you: Passport copies, business plan (in English is fine)

Step 2: Draft Articles of Incorporation (Bilingual)

Your legal team drafts:

• Korean version for official filing
• English version for your review and understanding

You review the English version, approve, and sign.

Korean translations are certified for submission to the Korean Commercial Registry.

Step 3: Capital Deposit (English-Language Banking)

Banks with English-speaking teams:

• Shinhan Bank — International Business Center
• Woori Bank — Global Services Division
• KB Kookmin Bank — Foreign Investment Support

Your attorney:

• Opens a temporary capital deposit account in your company’s name
• Guides you through the wire transfer from your home country
• Obtains the capital deposit confirmation in Korean (required for registration)

You communicate in English with both your attorney and bank representatives.

Step 4: Corporate Registration (Handled in Korean)

Your legal team files with the Korean Commercial Registry:

• Articles of Incorporation
• Capital confirmation
• Shareholder/director identification
• Registration fees

Processing time: 1-2 weeks

You receive: English-translated copy of your corporate registration certificate

Learn more: Complete step-by-step registration guide

Step 5: Tax Registration (NTS Filing in Korean)

Your attorney registers your company with the National Tax Service (NTS):

• Corporate income tax registration
• VAT registration
• Digital certificate issuance

You receive: Business Registration Certificate (사업자등록증) with English translation

Step 6: FDI Registration (KOTRA — English Available)

If you’re registering as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):

• Your attorney files with KOTRA (English-language support available)
• FDI status enables profit repatriation and tax benefits
• Processing time: 1-2 weeks

Step 7: Corporate Bank Account (English Support)

After registration, open a permanent corporate bank account:

• Attorney coordinates appointment at English-speaking branch
• Brings all Korean documents + certified translations
• Facilitates communication if bank requires clarification

You bring: Passport, corporate seal (provided by attorney), company registration documents

Result: Fully functional Korean business bank account with online banking (Korean + English interface options)

Which Banks Support English-Language Corporate Banking?

Best Banks for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Tip: Shinhan and Woori are typically the best balance of accessibility, English support, and reasonable fees.

Communication Strategies for Non-Korean Speakers

1. Use Email Primarily

Advantage: Time to translate, no real-time language pressure

Most Korean businesses accept and prefer email for:

• Document requests
• Status updates
• Contract negotiations

Your bilingual legal team handles all Korean-language email correspondence.

2. Leverage Bilingual Service Providers

Work with professionals who bridge the language gap:

• Legal services (SMA Lawfirm)
• Accounting and bookkeeping (bilingual accountants)
• Virtual office providers (English-speaking staff)
• HR and payroll services (expat-focused agencies)

3. Use Video Translation Apps (For Emergency Situations)

If you need to communicate with Korean-only speakers:

• Papago (Naver) — Best for Korean ↔ English
• Google Translate — Camera translation for documents
• DeepL — High-quality translations

4. Hire a Bilingual Executive Assistant (For Ongoing Operations)

Once your company is established:

• Hire a Korean-English bilingual assistant for daily operations
• Handle vendor communications, HR matters, government correspondence
• Cost-effective compared to ongoing translation services

Documents You’ll Need (English Versions Acceptable)

For company registration, you’ll provide:

Personal Documents

• Passport (certified translation not required)
• Proof of address from home country (English acceptable)
• Criminal background check (apostilled, English acceptable)

Business Documents

• Business plan (English version is fine — attorney will translate key sections)
• Proof of capital source (bank statements, English acceptable)
• Overseas company registration (if corporate investor — certified translation required)

Key point: Most documents you provide can be in English. Your legal team handles translation of official filings into Korean.

Visa Considerations for Non-Korean Speakers

D-8 Corporate Investor Visa

If you need a D-8 investor visa to live in Korea:

• Application documents require certified Korean translations
• Immigration interviews conducted in Korean (interpreter allowed)
• Your legal team prepares all documents and coordinates interpreters

Read our complete guide: D-8 Visa Korea Requirements 2025

F-2 and F-5 Residency Visas

Long-term residency visas require:

• TOPIK (Korean language test) — Level 2-4 depending on visa type
• Or significant investment (₩500M+) to waive language requirements

Strategy: Maintain D-8 status for 5+ years while your business grows, then transition to F-5 with investment track (no Korean test required if investment meets threshold).

Ongoing Compliance Without Korean

Annual Tax Filings

• Hire a bilingual accounting firm to handle:
  • Corporate income tax returns
  • VAT filings (quarterly or annual)
  • Year-end payroll tax reports

Cost: ₩1-3 million/year depending on company size

Labor Compliance

If hiring employees:

• Employment contracts must be in Korean (bilingual versions recommended)
• National Pension, Health Insurance, Employment Insurance registrations handled by accountant or HR agency
• English-language payroll services available (e.g., Papaya Global, Remote.com)

Legal and Contract Review

• Work with bilingual legal counsel for:
  • Vendor contracts
  • Customer agreements
  • Lease negotiations
  • Dispute resolution

SMA Lawfirm provides ongoing legal support in English for all corporate matters.

Cost Breakdown: Company Formation Without Korean

Total initial cost: ₩4-8 million (~$3,000-$6,000 USD) excluding capital deposit

Transparent pricing: At SMA Lawfirm, we provide fixed-fee quotes — no hourly billing, no hidden charges.

Success Stories: Companies We’ve Helped (No Korean Required)

Tech Startup (USA)

Challenge: Silicon Valley founders wanted Korean subsidiary, zero Korean skills Solution: Complete incorporation, FDI registration, and D-8 visa in 8 weeks — entirely in English Outcome: Operational with Korean team, all contracts managed via bilingual legal counsel

E-Commerce Business (UK)

Challenge: Needed VAT-compliant Korean entity for cross-border sales Solution: LLC registration, tax setup, ongoing compliance via English-language accountant Outcome: ₩2B annual revenue, zero Korean language requirements for UK management

Consulting Firm (Singapore)

Challenge: Regional expansion, needed Seoul branch office fast Solution: Branch registration, work visa coordination, virtual office + bilingual admin support Outcome: Fully operational in 6 weeks, serving Korean clients via bilingual staff

Common Misconceptions About Language Barriers

Myth 1: “I need to speak Korean to open a bank account”

Reality: Major Korean banks have international business centers with English-speaking staff. Your attorney coordinates the process and provides certified translations of corporate documents.

Myth 2: “All government websites are Korean-only”

Reality: KOTRA, National Tax Service, and Immigration websites offer English versions with key forms and guidance translated.

Myth 3: “I can’t hire employees without Korean”

Reality: Many foreign companies operate with bilingual HR staff or agencies who handle employment contracts, payroll, and labor compliance in Korean. You manage hiring decisions in English.

Myth 4: “Legal disputes require Korean lawyers only”

Reality: International law firms in Korea (like SMA Lawfirm) provide fully bilingual representation in Korean courts and arbitration proceedings.

Why Choose SMA Lawfirm for No-Korean-Required Company Formation

200+ Foreign Companies Served

We’ve helped entrepreneurs from:

• 🇺🇸 United States
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 🇸🇬 Singapore
• 🇦🇺 Australia
• 🇨🇦 Canada
• 🇩🇪 Germany
• 🇫🇷 France
• 🇯🇵 Japan

Zero Korean language skills required from any client.

Our Bilingual Process

1. Initial consultation (email or video call) — In English
2. Entity selection guidance — In English
3. Document drafting (bilingual Korean + English) — English versions for your review
4. Government filings — We handle Korean submissions
5. Bank coordination — We arrange English-speaking appointments
6. Status updates — Weekly emails in English
7. Final handoff — All documents with certified English translations

Timeline: 2-4 weeks from consultation to registered company

Pricing: Transparent fixed fees disclosed upfront

Licensed Korean Attorneys with International Experience

• 10+ years practicing at Kim & Chang (Korea’s top law firm)
• Ministry of Justice and Prosecutor’s Office background
• Fluent English — educated and trained internationally
• 200+ foreign investors successfully guided through Korean incorporation

Next Steps: Register Your Company Today

You don’t need Korean language skills to establish a successful business in South Korea — you need the right bilingual support team.

SMA Lawfirm provides end-to-end company formation services with a fully English-language workflow, ensuring:

• ✅ No Korean language barrier
• ✅ Transparent, fixed-fee pricing
• ✅ 1-2 week incorporation timeline
• ✅ Licensed attorney oversight
• ✅ Ongoing English-language compliance support

📩 Ready to start your Korean company without language barriers? Email us or launch your secure intake — we respond within 1 business day with a clear timeline and pricing.

Related Resources:

• D-8 Visa Korea Requirements 2025
• Korea Company Formation Costs 2025
• LLC vs. JSC in Korea
• Step-by-Step Company Registration