Startup Korea Special Visa (OASIS-9) 2026

Quick answer

The Startup Korea Special Visa, D-8-4(S), and OASIS-9 are two different things. The special visa, launched by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Justice in November 2024, lets a private evaluation committee assess a foreign founder’s business so that a recommendation can replace the degree and OASIS-point requirements of the regular D-8-4. OASIS-9 is the commercialization support course of the OASIS program, worth 30 points toward the regular, points-based D-8-4.

Table of Contents

Route 1: The Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4(S))

What it is

The Startup Korea Special Visa (스타트업 코리아 특별비자, coded D-8-4(S)) was created by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Ministry of Justice. The first recruitment ran from November 7 to November 20, 2024 (Ministry of Justice; Unicorn Factory).

The regular technology startup visa (D-8-4) requires a qualifying degree, intellectual property and a minimum OASIS score. The special visa minimizes those quantitative requirements. Instead:

1. A private evaluation committee assesses the business’s feasibility and innovation, its potential to enter the Korean market and its contribution to the Korean economy.
2. MSS issues a special visa recommendation letter.
3. The Ministry of Justice reviews the application under the immigration rules and issues the visa.

Where to apply

Applications for the recommendation are made through the K-Startup portal (k-startup.go.kr) or the Global Startup Center website (startup-korea.com), according to the Ministry of Justice. The visa itself is then filed at an immigration office or, from abroad, at a Korean consulate.

Recommendation channels since September 2025

From September 2025, a private recommendation track allows local governments and private accelerators, not only MSS, to put candidates forward. According to Money Today (June 2026), 3 special visas were issued in 2024, 12 in 2025 and 9 by April 2026, and MSS had made 44 recommendations in total. The numbers are small, so treat the special visa as a selective route rather than a shortcut.

Who it suits

• Founders with a strong, investable business but without a qualifying degree or registered IP
• Founders who can show market traction or investor interest that a committee can evaluate
• Founders who want to avoid the time needed to collect OASIS points

Route 2: OASIS and the Regular D-8-4

What OASIS is

OASIS stands for Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System. It is run by Global Startup Immigration Centers that are jointly designated by the Ministry of Justice and MSS (Busan Metropolitan City). Completing its courses earns points toward the regular D-8-4.

The nine OASIS courses

Source: Busan Metropolitan City (2026). Course content, scheduling and eligibility are set by each center, so read the recruitment notice before enrolling.

OASIS-9 is a course, not a visa. It is one of the two highest-scoring courses, which makes it valuable for reaching the pass mark, but completing it does not by itself give you a visa or a grant.

The pass mark

In November 2024 the Ministry of Justice described the regular D-8-4 as requiring 80 or more OASIS points (Ministry of Justice). 2026 announcements by Busan Metropolitan City and Seoul Shinmun state that founders with 60 or more points can apply (Seoul Shinmun, July 2026). Confirm the current figure with a Global Startup Immigration Center before you plan around it.

Other D-8-4 requirements

Under item 11(c) of Annex 1-2 to the Immigration Act Enforcement Decree, the regular D-8-4 is for a corporate founder with intellectual property or equivalent technology who has:

• an associate degree or higher from Korea, or
• a bachelor’s degree or higher from abroad, or
• a recommendation from the head of a central government agency recognizing the founder’s technology.

The founder needs a Korean corporation. If you need time in Korea to prepare, the D-10-2 startup preparation visa covers founders preparing a D-8-4 corporation.

Comparing the Two Routes

Step-by-Step: Choosing and Applying

Step 1: Check your credentials

If you have a qualifying degree and can file or already hold a patent, utility model or design, the regular D-8-4 is usually the predictable route. If you do not, look at the special visa.

Step 2a: For the regular D-8-4

1. Enroll in OASIS courses through a Global Startup Immigration Center.
2. File IP (OASIS-3 can help with applications and prototypes).
3. Add up your points, including high-value courses such as OASIS-6 and OASIS-9.
4. Incorporate your Korean company (company registration).
5. Apply for the D-8-4 at the immigration office or a Korean consulate.

Step 2b: For the special visa

1. Watch the K-Startup portal and the Global Startup Center for recruitment notices, and ask accelerators or local governments in the private track whether they are recommending founders.
2. Prepare a business plan focused on innovation, the Korean market and your contribution to the Korean economy.
3. After receiving the recommendation letter, apply for the visa.

Step 3: Prepare for business substance checks

Either way, the immigration office looks at whether the company really operates: an office, a bank account, activity and, over time, revenue and hiring. Our guide to virtual office substance requirements explains what tends to pass. Protect your IP early as well; see our trademark and IP guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Treating OASIS-9 as a visa

OASIS-9 is a 30-point course. It helps you reach the regular D-8-4 pass mark; it does not issue a visa.

❌ Assuming the special visa is a shortcut

The special visa removes formal credentials but adds a competitive business evaluation, and issuance numbers are small.

❌ Applying for the D-8-4 before incorporating

The D-8-4 is a corporate founder visa. Incorporate first, or use the D-10-2 to prepare.

❌ Relying on old point thresholds

Published pass marks have changed (80 points in 2024 Ministry of Justice material, 60 points in 2026 announcements). Confirm the current figure.

❌ Underestimating living costs in Seoul

Neither route includes living support. Budget for several months of personal expenses before your company generates income.

After the Visa: Long-Term Residence

Under Annex 1-3 to the Immigration Act Enforcement Decree, a founder who has stayed continuously for 3+ years on the D-8-4, has attracted at least KRW 300 million from investors and employs at least two Korean nationals can apply for F-5 permanent residence, subject to other requirements set by the Minister of Justice. The general F-5 route opens after 5+ years in qualifying status.

How We Help Foreign Entrepreneurs

SMA Lawfirm helps foreign founders choose between the special visa and the regular D-8-4 and handles the steps around them:

✅ Route assessment (credentials, IP, points, business case) ✅ Company registration (incorporation, apostille handling) ✅ D-8-4 / D-10-2 visa filing (document preparation, immigration liaison) ✅ IP strategy (patent, utility model and design filings) ✅ Ongoing compliance (tax filing, visa extensions, F-5 planning)

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

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. Program details change; confirm current requirements with the Global Startup Center, a Global Startup Immigration Center or the immigration office before applying.

Official Sources

For authoritative reference, consult the following Korean government portals:

• HiKorea — Korea Immigration Portal
• Korea Immigration Service (MOJ)
• K-Startup (Ministry of SMEs and Startups)
• Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS)