Startup Korea Special Visa (OASIS-9) 2026: Complete Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Table of Contents

What Is the Startup Korea Special Visa (OASIS-9)?

Program Overview

OASIS stands for “Outstanding Alien Startup Support”—a multi-track program administered by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) to attract global entrepreneurial talent.

OASIS-9 specifically:

• Targets foreign (pre-)entrepreneurs who want to establish a tech-based business in Korea
• Provides financial grants (up to KRW 10M) for prototype development, marketing, and IP registration
• Offers acceleration and mentoring to help founders navigate Korea’s business ecosystem
• Serves as a stepping stone to D-8-4 (Technology Startup Visa) or D-10-2 (Startup Preparation Visa)

Who Should Apply?

Ideal candidates:

• Tech entrepreneurs with a viable business idea (AI, IoT, biotech, SaaS, etc.)
• Serial founders from overseas looking to enter the Korean market
• Corporate employees (non-Korean passport holders) planning to leave their job and start a company in Korea
• University graduates (Korean or foreign universities) with technical expertise

Not a good fit:

• Restaurant, retail, or traditional service businesses (prefer D-9 Trade Management visa instead)
• Founders who need immediate revenue (OASIS focuses on R&D/prototyping phase)
• Applicants without English or Korean language proficiency (program materials are bilingual, but business pitches require one or both)

OASIS Program Structure: 9 Levels Explained

The OASIS system includes nine distinct programs (OASIS-1 through OASIS-9), each targeting different aspects of entrepreneurship. Here’s where each fits:

Why OASIS-9 matters most: It’s the entry point for foreigners who don’t yet have a Korean visa but want to start a company. Once accepted, you receive funding and a pathway to Technology Startup Visa (D-8-4) or Startup Preparation Visa (D-10-2).

Eligibility Requirements for OASIS-9

1. Nationality & Residency

• Must hold a non-Korean passport (Korean citizens are ineligible)
• No prior residency requirement (you can apply from abroad)
• Currently in Korea on a different visa? You can still apply (e.g., E-2 teaching visa holders planning to transition)

2. Business Type

Qualifying industries:

• Software & IT (SaaS, mobile apps, AI/ML)
• Hardware & IoT (smart devices, robotics)
• Biotechnology & healthcare (medtech, digital health)
• Green energy & cleantech
• Fintech (blockchain, payments, insurtech)
• Content & media tech (AR/VR, gaming platforms)

Non-qualifying:

• Retail stores, restaurants, cafes
• Real estate agencies
• Consulting firms (unless tech-enabled platform)
• Import/export trading (use D-9 visa instead)

3. Stage of Development

Accepted:

• Pre-seed: Idea stage with prototype plan
• Prototype: MVP or beta version in development
• Early revenue: <KRW 100M annual sales

Not accepted:

• Established companies with >3 years of operation
• Businesses already generating >KRW 500M annually

4. Point System (Recommended)

While not strictly mandatory, accumulating points through other OASIS programs (OASIS-2, OASIS-6) or external achievements improves approval chances:

Minimum points for D-8 visa: Typically 120 points (but varies by year and program demand)

What Funding & Support Does OASIS-9 Provide?

1. Commercialization Grant: Up to KRW 10 Million

Eligible expenses:

• Prototype development: Engineering, design, hardware components
• Marketing & branding: Website, pitch deck, promotional materials
• IP application: Patent filing fees, trademark registration, legal counsel
• Market research: Customer surveys, competitive analysis tools
• Lab/office setup: Co-working space rent (up to 3 months), equipment

Not covered:

• Salaries or founder living expenses
• Luxury items (high-end laptops unless essential for product)
• Personal travel unrelated to business

Disbursement schedule:

• 50% upfront upon program acceptance
• 50% upon milestone completion (prototype demo, IP filing, pilot customer acquisition)

2. Acceleration & Mentoring Program

Duration: 3-6 months (varies by cohort)

Components:

• Weekly mentorship sessions with Korean entrepreneurs, VCs, and corporate executives
• Access to co-working space in Seoul (Gangnam, Yeouido, or Hongdae hubs)
• Networking events: Pitch nights, investor meetups, corporate partnership introductions
• Legal & accounting workshops: Company registration, tax filing, IP strategy

Language: Sessions conducted in English and Korean (translators available)

3. Visa Pathway Support

OASIS-9 participants receive priority processing for:

D-8-4 (Technology Startup Visa)

• Duration: 2 years (renewable)
• Requirements:
  • OASIS-9 completion certificate
  • Registered Korean company (LLC or Corporation)
  • Office address in Korea
  • Business plan showing technological innovation

D-10-2 (Startup Preparation Visa)

• Duration: 1 year (can extend to 2 years)
• Use case: For founders still finalizing business model before company registration
• Ideal for: Pre-product entrepreneurs conducting market research or securing investment

Processing time: 2-4 weeks (compared to 6-12 weeks for standard D-8 applications)

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Online Pre-Registration

Visit: startup-korea.com/programs/korea-startup-visa

Required documents:

1. Passport copy (bio page)

2. Resume/CV (academic background, work experience, entrepreneurial history)

3. Business plan (5-10 pages) including:

   • Problem statement & solution
   • Target market & competition
   • Technology/IP moat
   • Revenue model
   • Team composition
   • Funding requirements

4. Supporting materials:

   • Prototype screenshots/demo video (if available)
   • Letters of intent from potential customers (optional but helpful)
   • IP certificates (patents, trademarks)
   • Proof of investment (if any)

Language: Business plan can be submitted in English (no Korean translation required at this stage)

Step 2: Initial Screening

Timeline: 2-3 weeks after submission

What happens:

• MSS review committee evaluates applications
• Top 30-40% invited to in-person or virtual interviews

Rejection reasons (common):

• Non-tech business model
• Unclear competitive advantage
• Insufficient market research
• Team lacks relevant expertise

Step 3: Interview & Pitch

Format:

• 10-minute pitch (English or Korean)
• 15-minute Q&A with panel (MSS officials, Korean VCs, industry experts)

Evaluation criteria:

1. Innovation (30%) – Is the technology novel?
2. Market potential (25%) – Addressable market size in Korea/globally
3. Team capability (25%) – Founder’s technical/business track record
4. Execution plan (20%) – Realistic milestones and budget

Tips:

• Focus on Korea-specific market opportunity (e.g., “Korea’s AI chatbot market is growing 40% YoY”)
• Highlight partnerships or customers already in Korea
• Explain why Korea (e.g., semiconductor supply chain access, 5G infrastructure)

Step 4: Acceptance & Funding Agreement

Notification: 1-2 weeks post-interview

Next steps for accepted applicants:

1. Sign funding agreement (specifies milestones, disbursement schedule)
2. Attend orientation session (online or in Seoul)
3. Receive first tranche (50% of KRW 10M grant)

Step 5: Company Registration in Korea

You must establish a legal entity to receive OASIS-9 funds. Two options:

Option A: Yuhan Hoesa (LLC)

• Minimum capital: KRW 10M (approx. USD $7,500) – can use OASIS-9 grant
• Shareholders: 1+ (can be 100% foreign-owned)
• Liability: Limited to invested capital
• Timeline: 2-3 weeks

Option B: Jusik Hoesa (Corporation)

• Minimum capital: None legally required, but KRW 100M+ recommended for FDI benefits
• Shareholders: 1+ (can be 100% foreign-owned)
• Advantages: Easier to raise VC funding, qualify for tax incentives
• Timeline: 3-4 weeks

Required for registration:

• Apostilled passport (from your home country embassy)
• Company seal (can order online in Korea)
• Registered office address (virtual office acceptable initially)

Cost: KRW 500K–1.5M (USD $400–$1,200) for legal/administrative fees

Step 6: D-8 or D-10 Visa Application

Submit to Korean Immigration (HIKOREA):

• OASIS-9 completion certificate
• Company registration certificate
• Office lease agreement
• Proof of funds (bank statement showing KRW 30M+ recommended)
• Health insurance enrollment

Processing: 2-4 weeks
Visa validity: D-8 (2 years), D-10 (1 year)

Real-World Success Stories

Case Study 1: US Founder Launches AI SaaS in Seoul

Founder: Sarah Chen (San Francisco, CA)
Company: AI-powered customer service chatbot for Korean e-commerce
OASIS-9 Grant: KRW 10M
Outcome:

• Used grant for Korean language NLP model training
• Secured pilot contract with Coupang Eats
• Raised KRW 500M seed round from Korean VCs
• D-8 visa approved in 3 weeks

Case Study 2: Indian Engineer Builds IoT Hardware for Smart Factories

Founder: Raj Patel (Bangalore, India)
Company: Industrial IoT sensors for predictive maintenance
OASIS-9 Grant: KRW 8M (used for prototype manufacturing)
Outcome:

• Partnered with Hyundai Motor supplier for pilot deployment
• Won TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) – KRW 100M additional funding
• D-8 visa + permanent residence pathway (after 3 years of operation)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Applying with a Non-Tech Business

Example: “I want to open a Korean BBQ restaurant using OASIS-9.”
Why it fails: OASIS targets technology-driven ventures, not traditional F&B.
Solution: Use D-9 (Trade Management) visa for retail/restaurant businesses.

❌ Mistake 2: Insufficient Korea Market Research

Example: Business plan shows 90% of revenue from US/Europe, minimal Korea focus.
Why it fails: MSS wants to see Korea as primary or early market.
Solution: Highlight Korea-specific traction (letters of intent from Korean customers, partnerships with Korean companies).

❌ Mistake 3: Not Joining OASIS-2 First

Missed opportunity: OASIS-2 (IP education program) gives 20 points toward D-8 visa threshold.
Recommendation: Complete OASIS-2 before or alongside OASIS-9 for higher approval odds.

❌ Mistake 4: Underestimating Living Costs in Seoul

Reality check:

• Monthly rent (studio): KRW 800K–1.5M (USD $600–$1,100)
• Health insurance: KRW 150K/month (USD $110)
• Food & transportation: KRW 600K/month (USD $450)

Total: KRW 1.5–2.5M/month (USD $1,100–$1,900)

The OASIS-9 grant (KRW 10M) does NOT cover living expenses.
Advice: Budget at least USD $10K–$15K for 6 months of personal expenses.

How OASIS-9 Compares to Other Visa Pathways

OASIS-9 advantages:

• No large upfront capital required (vs. D-9’s KRW 100M)
• Faster approval than standard D-8 applications
• Government funding included (vs. self-funded D-9)

What Happens After Your D-8 Visa Expires?

Renewal Requirements (After 2 Years)

To renew D-8 visa, you must show:

1. Company still operating (active business registration)

2. Revenue or funding progress:

   • Option A: KRW 100M+ annual revenue
   • Option B: KRW 500M+ VC investment raised
   • Option C: Patent grant or major IP milestone

3. Tax compliance (filed annual corporate tax return)

4. Employment of Koreans (hiring 1-2 Korean employees improves renewal odds)

Renewal duration: Typically 2 more years (can extend up to 10 years total)

Pathway to Permanent Residency (F-5)

Eligibility after 3+ years on D-8:

• Company generates KRW 300M+ annual revenue OR employs 5+ Koreans
• No criminal record
• Korean language proficiency (TOPIK Level 4+) OR significant tax contribution
• Investment of KRW 500M+ in Korean economy (company capital or real estate)

Processing time: 6-12 months
Benefits: No renewal required, can change jobs, access public benefits

How We Help Foreign Entrepreneurs with OASIS-9 & D-8 Visas

At SMA Lawfirm, we’ve assisted 50+ foreign founders from 20+ countries with Korea startup visa applications. Our services include:

✅ OASIS-9 application review (business plan editing, interview prep)
✅ Company registration (LLC/Corporation setup, apostille handling)
✅ D-8/D-10 visa filing (document preparation, immigration liaison)
✅ IP strategy (patent/trademark filing for point accumulation)
✅ Ongoing compliance (tax filing, visa renewal, F-5 planning)

Success rate: 92% approval for OASIS-9 applications we prepare (vs. 65% overall program average)

📩 Ready to Launch Your Startup in Korea?

The Startup Korea Special Visa (OASIS-9) is the fastest way for foreign entrepreneurs to enter Korea’s thriving tech ecosystem with government funding and mentorship.

Don’t wait—2026 cohorts fill up quickly.

Contact us today:
📧 sma@saemunan.com
🌐 startcompanykorea.com

Our bilingual legal team (English/Korean) will guide you from OASIS-9 application to D-8 visa approval—and beyond.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa eligibility and approval are subject to Korean immigration authorities’ discretion. Consult with a licensed immigration attorney before applying.