D8 Visa Application Instructions
What is a D8 visa?
This visa is intended for foreign individuals or corporations who establish a foreign-invested company in Korea for the purpose of conducting business.
Types of D8 visas
D-8-1 (Investment in a corporation) | The D8 visa is a business investment visa, commonly referred to as the D8 visa. Individuals or foreign companies can apply for a D8 visa after establishing a foreign investment corporation in Korea with a capital investment of KRW 100 million or more. |
D-8-2 (Venture) | This visa is available to the representative of a company that has obtained a Venture Business Certification from the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC), the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), or the Korea Venture Capital Association (KVCA). |
D-8-3 (Invest in a Korean company) | This Visa is available to those who invest in a company operated by a Korean national. The investor must contribute at least KRW 100 million in capital and be registered as a co-representative of the company. |
D-8-4 (Tech Startup) | This visa is available to individuals who possess intellectual property rights recognized under Korean law (such as patents, utility models, design rights, trademarks, or copyrights), have established a corporation in Korea, and have completed business registration. |
This post covers the D-8-1 visa, which is commonly referred to as the D-8 visa.
D8 Visa Application Requirements
- The investor can be a foreign individual or a foreign corporation.
- The investment funds must be remitted from abroad. A foreign currency amount equivalent to at least KRW 100 million must be transferred from an overseas bank to a designated foreign exchange bank in Korea.
- When bringing investment funds in cash, declare them as “INVEST FUND” at customs and obtain a declaration certificate.
- The investor must establish a foreign-invested company and acquire at least 10% of the voting shares.
- Maintain an independent office space in Korea (shared offices are not permitted).
Key Considerations in D-8 Visa Evaluation
Since the D-8 visa screening process is very strict, you must pay close attention to the following points.
sender’s name
- Many countries have remittance limits, which can make it difficult to proceed with an investment even if you are willing to invest. You should first check whether it is possible to remit funds from your country to Korea.
- The remitter must be the investor, the investor’s spouse, or a minor child. However, if the investment amount exceeds KRW 300 million, remittances can also be made in the name of the investor’s or spouse’s parents.
- In the case of a corporate investor, the remittance must be made under the name of the corporation.
Proof of source of funds
This is one of the most critical parts of the D-8 visa evaluation. The investment funds must be legitimate and personally generated by the investor. The following documents are generally required to prove the source of funds, but additional supporting documents may be requested.
- Business income – Business Registration Certificate, Sales Records or Revenue Statements, Financial Statements or Accounting Reports, Bank Account Transaction History
- Earned income – Business Registration Certificate (of employer), Certificate of Employment, Bank Account Transaction History, Savings Account Records (e.g. fixed deposits, installment savings, etc.)
- Gift from Parents or Family Members – gift agreements, Proof of Donor’s Income
- Real Estate Sales – Purchase and Sale Agreement, Bank Statement Showing Deposit of Sale Proceeds
- Even if the investment funds are brought in as cash, the source of funds will still be subject to verification.
Genuine business purpose
Because some applicants apply for the D-8 visa solely for immigration purposes, the authenticity of the business is carefully reviewed. Applicants are required to submit a business plan that outlines their entrepreneurial background and detailed plans for doing business in Korea.
The D-8 visa is subject to a much stricter review process than most applicants anticipate
If you establish a company but fail to obtain the visa, your plans may be disrupted and you could suffer significant losses. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you carefully review the above requirements in advance and consult with a professional before proceeding.
Procedure and Timeline for D-8 Visa Application
A large number of documents and procedures must be completed without any issues in order to successfully apply for the D-8 visa.
Application Process and Required Documents | Attorney | Timeframe |
Required Documents for Apostille Certification
| Administrator | |
Investment Registration and Investment Account Opening
| 1 day | |
Remittance of Investment Funds
| 2 days | |
Corporate Registration
| Judicial Scrivener (Korea) | 4 days |
Business License and Permits (if applicable) | Administrator | By industry |
Issuance of Business Registration Certificate
| 2 days | |
Issuance of Certificate of Foreign-Invested Company Registration
| 1 day | |
D-8 Visa Application and Approval
| At least one month | |
Issuance of alien registration card
| 1 to 2 weeks | |
Designation of a Tax Agent | Tax accountant |
외국인투자법인 설립 자세히 보기
Dispatching Employees or Executives under a D-8 Visa
If the investor is a foreign corporation, it is possible to dispatch executives or employees to Korea under a D-8 visa.
Permissible Forms of Dispatch
In the case where a German parent company (Company A) invests in and establishes a Singaporean subsidiary (Company B), which in turn sets up a foreign-invested company (Company C) in Korea.
- Dispatch from A to C is possible.
- Dispatch from B to C is possible
How many people can be dispatched?
While it is generally estimated that one dispatched employee may be allowed per KRW 100 million of investment, this is not a fixed rule. The need for dispatch must be clearly justified, and the immigration authorities will consider several factors, including the side of the parent company, the role and necessity of the individual being dispatched, and the number of local employees, when determining whether to grant approval.
D8비자 파견 자세히 보기
D-8 Visa perod of Stay and Extension
The duration of stay under the D-8 Visa varies depending on the amount of investment. initially, a stay of one year may be granted, and based on business performance and income, it can be extended for up to five years.
The primary requirement for extending a D-8 visa is business performance. If there is no tangible business performance, it may be difficult to obtain an extension.
D8비자 연장 자세히 보기
Inquiry about D-8 Visa Application Services
- 법무부에 등록된 출입국 민원대행 기관
- 외국인 이민 / 비자 / 정착 서비스 전문기업으로서의 전문성
- 영어, 중국어, 일본어, 스페인어, 몽골어 등 외국어 상담 가능
- 은행 글로벌센터, 법무사, 세무사 협력체계 구축으로 신속하고 정확한 업무처리
- 아포스티유 서류 작성 제공으로 본사, 담당자 업무부담 해소
- 외국인투자법인설립, 비자신청, 사무실찾기, 법인등기, 세무대리인 설정까지 한번에 OK
- 법무부에 등록된 출입국 민원대행기관
- 무료상담
- 비자 불허시 100% 환불
- 정확한 상담
- 정확한 서류 준비
- 샘플 서류 제공
- 비자 접수 대행
- 외국인등록증 발급
이미코리아 리로케이션 relocationkorea.com
- 전문자격사 외국인 정착서비스
- 외국인 체류 계획 상담
- 투자법인 / 지사 / 연락사무소 설치
- 유학수속
- 부동산 찾기
- 정확한 서류 준비를 위한 샘플 제공
- 생활서비스
- 행정서비스