If you are an international student in Korea and want to run a company or engage in commercial activities as a sole proprietor in Korea, you can apply for a D9-5 visa with a small investment.
D9-5 Visa Eligibility
Eligible applicants are those who have earned a master’s degree or higherfrom a domestic university (including prospectivestudents) and are studying abroad (D2 visa) or looking for a job (D10 visa), and who have invested at least KRW 100 million and have registered as a business and are planning to manage a company or conduct a for-profit business in Korea.
Bachelor’s degree holders (including prospective students) from domestic universities can apply if they have earned a total of 40 or more points in OASIS 1-8 of the “Entrepreneurship Immigration System”.
source of funds
Up to KRW 50 million of the KRW 100 million investment is allowed to be raised domestically. The remainder must be remitted from overseas.
The process for obtaining a D9-5 visa is almost identical to the process for obtaining a D8 visa. However, since you are a sole proprietor, you will not need to establish a corporation.
| Foreign investment declaration and bank account opening (foreign exchange banks) |
| => Transfer of investment funds (foreign exchange bank) |
| => Business registration (tax office) *Permit for separate business license |
| => Foreign Investment Company Registration (Bank) |
| => D9 visa application (immigration office) |
| => D9 Visa Approval (Immigration Office) |
| => Issuance of Alien Registration Card (Immigration Office) |
- Integrated application
- passport, photo
- Diploma
- OASIS certificate (if required)
- Business License, Business License (Applicant), Foreign Company Registration (Holder)
- Proof of business fund introduction – remittance confirmation, foreign repatriation certificate, customs declaration
- Proof of investment – receipts for purchases, bank statements, etc.
- Documents proving the place of stay
- Documents proving the existence of the business