Korea Startup Visa 2026: Complete OASIS Program Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs

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Introduction: Your Gateway to Korea’s Startup Ecosystem

Dreaming of building your startup in Seoul? Korea’s OASIS (Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System) program might be your golden ticket. Launched to attract global tech talent, OASIS offers foreign entrepreneurs a streamlined path to:

• Establish a company in Korea
• Secure long-term residency (D-8-4 visa)
• Access government funding and startup support
• Hire employees and scale operations

In 2026, Korea’s startup ecosystem is more welcoming than ever. With dedicated managers, English-language support, and expanded eligibility criteria, OASIS has become the preferred route for non-Korean founders.

This guide covers everything from eligibility to application steps, visa types, and insider tips to maximize your success.

What Is OASIS?

OASIS is a government-backed program managed by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS). It combines:

1. Immigration pathways (D-10-2 and D-8-4 visas)
2. Startup education (business courses, mentorship)
3. Networking support (investor introductions, corporate partnerships)
4. Funding access (government grants, VC connections)

Think of it as a one-stop shop for foreign entrepreneurs. Instead of navigating Korea’s immigration and business systems separately, OASIS integrates both.

Why Choose OASIS Over Other Visa Routes?

Bottom line: OASIS offers the best balance of support, flexibility, and long-term residency potential for foreign founders.

The Two-Stage OASIS Process

OASIS operates in two stages:

Stage 1: D-10-2 Visa (Startup Preparation)

Purpose: Test your idea, build your team, and prepare to launch.

Duration: 6 months (extendable to 2 years total)

What you do:

• Attend OASIS courses (entrepreneurship, Korean business culture)
• Develop your business plan
• Network with investors and mentors
• Complete legal/financial setup (virtual office, bank account)

What you can’t do:

• Officially operate a business (no revenue generation)
• Hire employees
• Sign commercial contracts

The D-10-2 is essentially a startup prep visa—you’re building the foundation, not running the company yet.

Stage 2: D-8-4 Visa (Technology Startup)

Purpose: Officially operate your Korean startup.

Duration: 1 year initially, renewable indefinitely (as long as the business performs)

What you can do:

• Run your registered Korean company
• Hire employees (including foreign talent)
• Generate revenue and seek investment
• Apply for government grants

Requirements to transition from D-10-2 to D-8-4:

• Complete OASIS courses (minimum 100 hours)
• Secure an OASIS recommendation letter
• Register your company (LLC or Corporation)
• Prove business viability (business plan, initial funding)

Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

Educational Requirements

Option 1: University Degree

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university
• Must be apostilled (Hague Apostille Convention) or legalized by Korean embassy

Option 2: Professional Experience

• 3+ years of relevant work experience in tech/startups
• Proof required: reference letters, employment contracts, portfolio

Option 3: Exceptional Talent

• Patent holders
• Award winners (hackathons, startup competitions)
• Published researchers in relevant fields

Business Idea Requirements

Your startup must focus on technology or innovation:

• ✅ Software development, AI/ML, fintech
• ✅ Biotech, healthtech, medtech
• ✅ Hardware (IoT, robotics, electronics)
• ✅ Clean energy, sustainability
• ⚠️ E-commerce (only if tech-driven, e.g., AI-powered platforms)
• ❌ Traditional retail, restaurants, real estate

2026 update: OASIS now accepts climate tech and social impact startups with clear technology components.

Nationality and Age

• Any nationality (no restrictions)
• No age limit (though most applicants are 20-45)
• Physical presence required: You must apply in Korea (not from abroad)

Entry Strategy

How do you get to Korea to apply?

Option 1: Tourist visa → D-10-2

Most common route:

1. Enter Korea on a tourist visa (90 days visa-free for many countries)
2. Apply for D-10-2 while in Korea
3. Convert your tourist status to D-10-2 within 60 days

Option 2: Other visa → D-10-2

If you’re already in Korea on:

• Student visa (D-2)
• Work visa (E-series)
• Working holiday visa (H-1)

You can transition directly to D-10-2 by submitting your OASIS application.

Note: You cannot apply from abroad. OASIS requires in-person attendance at courses and interviews.

Application Process: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Submit OASIS Application

Where: www.oasisvisa.com or www.startup-korea.com

Required documents:

• Passport (valid 6+ months)
• University degree (apostilled) or work experience proof
• Business plan (5-10 pages, English or Korean)
• Resume/CV
• Proof of financial means (KRW 10 million+ in bank, ~USD 7,500)

Processing time: 2-4 weeks for initial review

Step 2: Attend OASIS Courses

Once accepted, you’ll attend:

• Entrepreneurship courses (business model design, lean startup)
• Korea business culture (negotiation, networking etiquette)
• Legal/tax basics (company registration, visa compliance)

Format: Hybrid (online + in-person)

Time commitment: 100 hours over 3-6 months

Location: Seoul (main hub), Busan, Daejeon (regional centers)

Step 3: Secure Recommendation Letter

After completing courses, OASIS evaluators review your:

• Business plan
• Market research
• Team composition
• Financial projections

If approved, you receive an OASIS recommendation letter—essential for visa applications.

Success rate: ~70% for applicants who complete courses seriously

Common rejection reasons:

• Vague business plan (no clear value proposition)
• Non-tech business idea (e.g., traditional services)
• Insufficient financial backing

Step 4: Apply for D-10-2 Visa

Where: Korean Immigration Office (nearest to your location in Korea)

Documents:

• OASIS recommendation letter
• Completed visa application form
• Passport photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
• Health insurance proof
• Residence agreement (lease or hotel booking)

Fee: KRW 60,000 (~USD 45)

Processing time: 1-2 weeks

Step 5: Register Your Company

While on D-10-2, prepare for company registration:

• Choose business structure (LLC vs. Corporation—see our complete guide)
• Register with Korean tax office
• Open corporate bank account
• File FDI notification (if foreign-funded)

Timeline: 4-8 weeks (if you do it yourself), 2-3 weeks (with legal assistance)

Step 6: Apply for D-8-4 Visa

Once your company is registered:

Documents:

• Company registration certificate
• Business license
• Lease agreement (office/virtual office)
• Financial statements (initial capital proof)
• Updated business plan

Processing time: 2-3 weeks

Fee: KRW 100,000 (~USD 75)

D-8-4 Visa: Renewal and Long-Term Strategy

Renewal Requirements

To renew your D-8-4 annually, you must prove:

• Business activity: Revenue, contracts, or active development
• Financial stability: Bank statements showing operational funds
• Compliance: Tax filings, social insurance payments

2026 standards (stricter than before):

• Year 1: Proof of concept (prototype, beta users)
• Year 2: Revenue or external funding (VC, government grant)
• Year 3+: Profitability or clear path to profitability

Immigration officers now scrutinize substance:

• Do you have real office space? (Virtual offices are acceptable in Year 1 only)
• Do you have employees? (At least 1-2 by Year 2)
• Are you paying yourself a salary? (Recommended: KRW 2-3 million/month minimum)

Insider tip: Keep meticulous records—bank statements, contracts, invoices. Immigration loves documentation.

Path to Permanent Residency

D-8-4 → F-2-7 (Points-Based Residency)

After 3+ years on D-8, you can apply for F-2-7 if you meet:

• Age, education, income, and Korean language points (80+ total)
• Detailed guide: F-2-7 Points-Based Visa 2026

D-8-4 → F-5 (Permanent Residency)

After 5 years on D-8 or 3 years on F-2, you can apply for F-5 if:

• Business generates consistent revenue
• You’ve paid taxes and social insurance
• No immigration violations

OASIS Success Stories (2026)

Case 1: AI-Powered Translation Startup

Founder: Maria, Brazil (30 years old)

Journey:

• Entered Korea on tourist visa (2025)
• Applied for D-10-2 via OASIS
• Completed courses in 4 months
• Registered LLC (KRW 50 million capital)
• Secured D-8-4 (2026)
• Raised KRW 300 million seed round from Korean VC

Key to success: Strong demo product (working AI model) before applying for D-8-4.

Case 2: Biotech Diagnostics

Founders: Alex & Sam, USA (35, 38 years old)

Journey:

• Both had PhDs in biology
• Applied for D-10-2 individually
• Partnered during OASIS courses
• Co-founded Korean Corporation (KRW 100 million capital)
• Hired 2 Korean researchers
• Won government grant (KRW 200 million)

Key to success: Leveraging academic credentials + Korean co-founder network from OASIS.

Case 3: Climate Tech (Failed, Then Succeeded)

Founder: Jean, France (42 years old)

Journey:

• Applied for D-8-4 directly (without OASIS) → Denied (no recommendation letter)
• Re-applied via D-10-2 → Accepted
• Refined business plan during OASIS courses
• Registered LLC (KRW 30 million capital)
• Secured D-8-4 on second attempt

Lesson: OASIS dramatically improves approval odds. Don’t skip it.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Underfunded Business Plans

Mistake: “I’ll raise money after I get the visa.”

Reality: Immigration wants proof you can survive 12+ months. Show:

• Personal savings (KRW 20-30 million minimum)
• Pre-seed funding (friends & family, angel investors)
• Revenue potential (letters of intent from customers)

2. Ignoring Substance Requirements

Mistake: Virtual office + no employees + no revenue = renewal denied.

Solution: By Year 2, have:

• Real office or co-working space
• At least 1 employee (even part-time)
• Signed contracts or paying customers

3. Poor Korean Language Skills

Mistake: “Everyone speaks English in Korea.”

Reality: Immigration interviews, tax office visits, and bank interactions often require Korean.

Solution: Learn basic business Korean (Level 2-3 TOPIK). OASIS offers Korean classes—take them seriously.

4. Late Tax/Insurance Filings

Mistake: “I’ll file taxes next year.”

Reality: Immigration checks tax compliance annually. Even if your revenue is zero, file on time.

Solution: Hire a Korean tax agent (KRW 500,000-1,000,000/year) from Day 1.

FAQ: Your OASIS Questions Answered

Q1: Can I apply if I’m over 50?

Yes. No age limit. However, older applicants should emphasize proven track record (previous successful startups, industry expertise).

Q2: Do I need to know Korean?

Not initially. OASIS courses are in English. But for long-term success, learning Korean is highly recommended.

Q3: Can I bring my family?

Spouse & children: Yes, on F-3 dependent visas (after you secure D-8-4).

Parents: No (unless you transition to F-2/F-5 later).

Q4: How much does OASIS cost?

• OASIS courses: Free
• Visa fees: ~KRW 160,000 total (D-10-2 + D-8-4)
• Company registration: KRW 500,000-1,500,000 (DIY or with lawyer)
• Living expenses: KRW 1,500,000-3,000,000/month (Seoul)

Total first-year budget: KRW 30-50 million (~USD 22,500-37,500) including capital.

Q5: What if my startup fails?

If your business closes:

• You have 3 months to find another visa path (e.g., employment visa, new startup)
• You cannot stay on D-8-4 indefinitely without business activity
• Consider pivoting to a new startup idea while on D-8-4 (instead of closing)

Q6: Can I work part-time while on D-10-2?

No. D-10-2 doesn’t allow employment. You must rely on savings or external funding.

Exception: Teaching English or freelancing is not allowed without separate work permit.

2026 Updates: What’s New?

Expanded Eligibility

• Climate tech and social impact startups now qualify
• Non-degree holders with 5+ years experience (previously 3 years minimum)

Faster Processing

• D-10-2 approval: 2 weeks (down from 4 weeks in 2025)
• D-8-4 approval: 2 weeks (down from 3 weeks)

Dedicated Support

• English-speaking case managers assigned to each OASIS cohort
• Monthly investor networking events
• Global Venture Forum (annual event connecting foreign founders with Korean VCs)

Stricter Renewal Standards

• Year 2+ renewals now require revenue proof or external funding (seed/angel)
• Virtual offices acceptable only in Year 1

How SMA Lawfirm Can Help

Navigating OASIS and Korean immigration law can be overwhelming—especially while building your startup. SMA Lawfirm offers:

• OASIS application consulting (business plan review, document prep)
• Company registration (LLC/Corporation setup, FDI notification)
• Visa application support (D-10-2, D-8-4, renewals)
• Ongoing compliance (tax filings, employment contracts, immigration monitoring)

We’ve helped 200+ foreign entrepreneurs secure Korean visas and launch successful startups.

📩 Contact us today: sma@saemunan.com

Let’s turn your startup dream into Korean reality.

Conclusion: Your Korea Startup Journey Starts Now

Korea’s OASIS program is one of the most founder-friendly immigration pathways in Asia. With structured support, clear timelines, and access to a thriving startup ecosystem, it’s never been easier for foreign entrepreneurs to build in Seoul.

Key steps to remember:

1. Enter Korea (tourist or existing visa)
2. Apply for OASIS → Complete courses
3. Secure D-10-2 visa
4. Register your company
5. Transition to D-8-4 visa
6. Build, iterate, scale

The journey takes 6-12 months from start to D-8-4, but the payoff—a stable visa, government support, and access to Korean markets—is immense.

Ready to start? Begin your OASIS application today, or consult with SMA Lawfirm to accelerate your path to Korean entrepreneurship.

Welcome to Korea’s startup revolution. 🚀