Korea's Startup, Investor, and Trade Visas: D-8, D-9, and the OASIS Track

You want to start a business or invest in Korea as a foreign national. The Korea Immigration Service issues three main visa types for that purpose, and they work very differently from each other.

This guide covers D-8 (기업투자 비자, corporate investment), D-9 (무역경영 비자, trade management), the D-8-4 technology startup track via OASIS (창업이민종합지원시스템), and the D-10-2 startup preparation on-ramp. It also covers how each visa converts toward long-term residency and eventual permanent residency.

Use the quick-match table below to find your starting point, then read the section that fits.

Which visa fits your situation?

---

D-8: Corporate Investment Visa (기업투자 비자)

The D-8 visa is for foreign nationals who invest in a Korean corporation and actively operate the business. "Actively operate" means you must serve as CEO, director, or in another management or production role at the company. Passive investment does not qualify.

The ₩100 million threshold

The minimum investment is ₩100 million (1억 원) per foreign investor (as of 2026 — verify at the Foreign Investment Promotion Act Enforcement Decree on law.go.kr and the InvestKorea KOTRA Visa Guide KOTRA자료 25-012 at investkorea.org).

Three rules around that threshold matter in practice.

First, the money must come from abroad. You must wire the funds from an overseas personal bank account to a Korean foreign exchange bank. Funds already in Korea, funds from a Korean account, third-party remittances, or hand-carried cash do not count as qualifying foreign investment.

Second, each co-founder counts separately. If two foreign nationals are co-founding the company together, each one must contribute ₩100 million. A combined ₩100 million split between two passports does not meet the threshold. Verify this rule at a primary source before making capital arrangements for a founding team.

Third, the investment goes into equity of a registered Korean corporation, not a sole proprietorship (for D-8-1). The company must be incorporated under Korean law before the D-8-1 visa can be issued.

The initial stay period is typically 1 year, and extensions are available based on investment size and business activity (as of 2026 — verify at hikorea.go.kr).

D-8 sub-types

D-8-1: Standard corporate investment. The most common sub-type. You invest ₩100 million or more in a Korean corporation under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act (외국인투자촉진법) and hold at least 10% of total voting shares. You serve as CEO or director.

D-8-2: Certified venture company investment. Investment in a company certified as a venture business (벤처기업). Specific eligibility conditions and capital thresholds for this sub-type should be verified directly at investkorea.org or hikorea.go.kr before applying, as the research base for this sub-type is limited.

D-8-3: Unincorporated enterprise investment. Covers investment in sole proprietorships rather than corporations. The capital threshold for D-8-3 is not settled across sources — some cite ₩100 million, others ₩300 million for this sub-type. Do not rely on either figure without verifying at law.go.kr or the InvestKorea KOTRA Visa Guide.

D-8-4: Technology startup. This sub-type uses the OASIS points system instead of the standard capital requirement. It is covered in detail in the OASIS section below.

What you can and cannot do on D-8

You may manage, administer, and run your foreign-invested enterprise. You must be actively involved in operating the business, not just holding equity.

You may not work for a separate Korean employer. Your permitted activities are tied to the specific corporation that received your qualifying investment.

---

D-9: Trade Management Visa (무역경영 비자)

The D-9 visa covers foreign nationals who run trade operations or manage businesses in Korea. Unlike D-8, D-9 does not require you to incorporate a Korean corporation. It is the natural fit for importers, exporters, e-commerce operators, and business managers who do not want to create a new entity.

D-9-1: Points-based trade visa

D-9-1 is designed for registered trade dealers with a unique trade number (무역업고유번호) from the Korea International Trade Association (한국무역협회, KITA).

Two requirements are mandatory before points are considered.

First, you must have TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Level 3 or higher.

Second, you must score at least 60 points out of a total 160-point system, with a minimum of 10 mandatory points from prerequisite categories.

The point categories break down as follows (as of 2026 — confirm the current table at oasisvisa.com/about-D9.html or immigration.go.kr):

Mandatory items (up to 65 points):

• Trade performance: exports or imports over the past 2 years, up to 30 points
• Trade expertise: relevant work experience or degree, up to 35 points

Elective items (up to 95 points):

• Korea stay duration: up to 20 points
• Education level: up to 20 points
• Capital investment of ₩100 million or more: 15 points
• TOPIK level above the minimum
• Korean educational background

Extension periods depend on your points above the minimum: 5 to 10 extra points above the threshold earns a 6-month extension, 11 to 20 points earns 1 year, and 21 or more points earns 2 years.

D-9-4: Business management (high capital)

D-9-4 covers foreign nationals running profit-making businesses or company management operations. The capital requirement is ₩300 million (3억 원) introduced as foreign currency from abroad (reported figure: confirm the current threshold at investkorea.org / hikorea.go.kr / immigration.go.kr), and you must be registered as a business operator under the Value-Added Tax Act.

D-9-5: Former international students

D-9-5 is available to foreign nationals who studied in Korea and want to start a business here. The capital requirement is ₩100 million, with up to ₩50 million permitted to come from domestic Korean sources (the remainder must be foreign currency). You must hold a Master's degree or higher from a domestic Korean university, or a Bachelor's degree plus at least 40 points on the OASIS points system (as of 2026 — verify at immigration.go.kr).

Other D-9 sub-types

D-9-2 covers installation, operation, and maintenance of exported machinery and facilities. D-9-3 covers supervision of shipbuilding and equipment manufacturing. These sub-types apply to narrow engineering and manufacturing contexts rather than general business operation.

---

D-8-4 and the OASIS Startup Track

The D-8-4 technology startup visa (기술창업 비자) is the accessible route for founders who have intellectual property but not ₩100 million in capital ready to deploy.

Instead of meeting a capital threshold, you accumulate points through the OASIS system (창업이민종합지원시스템, Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System). OASIS is operated by the Global Startup Immigration Center, designated by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of SMEs and Startups.

Contact OASIS: oasis@kpc.or.kr or 070-7726-1352.

The OASIS point system

To qualify for D-8-4, you accumulate points toward a minimum threshold AND must hold at least one qualifying prerequisite item from the list below. The point values shown are indicative figures from the OASIS operator site; confirm the current per-item point values at the OASIS center before relying on any single item, since published tables disagree.

Prerequisite items (you must hold at least one):

Elective items (OASIS courses and qualifications):

A pending patent application alone earns 10 points. Filing it before you apply for D-10-2 is the cheapest way to get on the board. A registered patent is the highest-value prerequisite item, but do not assume any single item like a patent clears the threshold on its own: the passing score and the per-item point values are both contested across sources, so confirm them before planning around one qualifying item.

The passing threshold is reported as 60 points by the OASIS program operator (oasisvisa.com). However, the official 2025 OASIS recruitment notice and a Korean labor-law firm indicate a higher bar, around 80 points out of a 368-point total. These figures conflict and no Tier-1 primary source settled it here, so you must confirm the current points minimum AND the per-item point values directly with the OASIS center (oasis@kpc.or.kr) or immigration.go.kr before relying on any single qualifying item.

D-10-2: The OASIS on-ramp (창업준비 비자)

Before you can apply for D-8-4, you typically need to be inside Korea and enrolled in OASIS. D-10-2 (창업준비 비자, startup preparation visa) is how you get here first.

D-10-2 is issued for 6 months and can be extended to a maximum total stay of 2 years. It is only available to OASIS program participants.

While on D-10-2, you may develop your business model, take OASIS courses to accumulate points, file a patent application, and prepare for Korean corporation registration. You may not conduct profit-generating business activities.

To apply for D-10-2 from outside Korea, you typically need:

• An OASIS enrollment certificate
• Degree certificate (apostilled) or a recommendation letter
• Business plan
• Korean personal bank statement

After entry on D-10-2, you accumulate OASIS points, file or register IP, and establish a Korean corporation. Once you reach the OASIS passing threshold and have a registered company, you apply for a status change to D-8-4.

Converting D-10-2 to D-8-4

The conversion requires three things at the time of application:

1. At least the OASIS passing score (reported as 60 points by the operator, but possibly higher per official notices, so confirm with the OASIS center) including at least one prerequisite item
2. A registered Korean corporation (법인)
3. A patent or utility model application on file (pending registration counts)

For D-8-4 extensions beyond the initial period, you must demonstrate registered IP ownership, active business operations, and a documented connection between your business activity and the patent or IP.

K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC)

The K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC), run by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups via k-startup.go.kr, is a separate competitive accelerator program that also leads to D-8-4. Phase 2 participants receive support for D-10-2 and Phase 3 participants receive support for D-8-4.

KSGC operates separately from the OASIS program, but uses the same destination visa. Whether KSGC participants bypass standard OASIS point requirements or go through a different administrative route is not confirmed at primary sources as of June 2026. Check k-startup.go.kr for the current 2026 program rules.

---

Conversion paths: where D-8 and D-9 can lead

From other visa types to D-8

D-2 (student) to D-10-2: Holders of student visas can apply to join the OASIS program and obtain D-10-2 if they meet OASIS eligibility criteria, including at least a bachelor's degree or an OASIS recommendation letter.

D-10 to D-8: D-10 job-seeker visa holders can change status to D-8 once the corporate registration and investment requirements are satisfied. D-10-2 is the specific sub-category created for OASIS participants moving toward D-8-4.

E-7 to D-8: E-7 skilled employment visa holders can in principle apply for D-8 if they meet the investment and corporate registration requirements. No specific streamlined conversion track from E-7 to D-8 was confirmed at primary sources as of June 2026. Verify the current process at hikorea.go.kr before planning a transition.

From D-8 toward long-term residency and permanent residency

D-8-1 to F-2-5 (long-term investor residency): After 3 years of continuous D-8 residence in Korea and a minimum investment of USD 500,000 under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, you can apply for F-2-5 status. An alternative path allows USD 300,000 investment if you employ a minimum of 2 Korean nationals. Verify both thresholds at hikorea.go.kr or immigration.go.kr, as these are reported by Tier-2 sources and should be confirmed against primary MOJ documentation.

F-2-5 to F-5-5 (investor permanent residency): To qualify for F-5-5 permanent residency, you must maintain the USD 500,000 investment and directly employ at least 5 Korean nationals in full-time permanent positions for at least 6 months before applying. Only the actual investor qualifies — dispatched executives or employees of a parent company are not eligible. Verify at law.go.kr or immigration.go.kr before planning for this track.

Note: the USD-denominated thresholds for F-2-5 and F-5-5 translate to different KRW amounts as exchange rates change. At mid-2026 rates (approximately 1,380 KRW per USD), USD 500,000 is roughly ₩690 million.

---

The 2026 visa overhaul and what it did not change

Korea's 2026 immigration overhaul expanded the Top-Tier Visa for elite global talent (the track that covers STEM researchers), introduced the K-CORE (E-7-M) track for graduates of domestic technical colleges (전문대) in manufacturing, and adjusted regional labor programs. Neither the D-8 capital threshold nor the D-9 points system changed under this reform.

Foreign founders reading about Korea's "2026 visa changes" can proceed on the basis that the startup and investor visa rules described in this guide remain in force. Check investkorea.org or immigration.go.kr for any updates after June 2026.

---

Practical checklist before you start

Before committing capital or filing applications, verify the following at primary sources:

• D-8-1 capital threshold: ₩100 million per investor — confirm at law.go.kr Enforcement Decree or the InvestKorea KOTRA Visa Guide
• Co-investor rule: Each co-founder's separate ₩100 million requirement — confirm at a primary MOJ or InvestKorea source
• D-8-4 point threshold: reported as 60 points by the OASIS operator, but official 2025 notices indicate a higher bar (around 80 of 368). Confirm the current minimum AND per-item point values directly with the OASIS center (oasis@kpc.or.kr) or immigration.go.kr before relying on any single item
• D-9-4 capital threshold: ₩300 million — confirm at immigration.go.kr
• F-2-5 investment threshold: USD 500,000 — confirm at hikorea.go.kr or law.go.kr
• Current OASIS program schedule and open enrollment: confirm at oasisvisa.com

Capital transfer rules and point thresholds in this guide are sourced from InvestKorea (KOTRA), law.go.kr, and the OASIS program operator site. Where figures come from secondary sources only, this guide says so.

---

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum investment amount for a D-8 visa in Korea?

The minimum is ₩100 million (1억 원) per foreign investor, remitted from an overseas bank account into a registered Korean corporation. Verify the current figure at the Foreign Investment Promotion Act Enforcement Decree on law.go.kr or the InvestKorea KOTRA Visa Guide (KOTRA자료 25-012) at investkorea.org.

If two foreign co-founders want D-8 visas, do they each need ₩100 million?

Yes. Each foreign national must contribute ₩100 million separately. A combined ₩100 million split between two passports does not meet the threshold. This figure is consistent across secondary sources but verify it directly at law.go.kr or with InvestKorea before making capital arrangements.

What is the difference between D-8 and D-9?

D-8 (기업투자 비자) requires you to incorporate a Korean company and invest ₩100 million or more. D-9 (무역경영 비자) does not require corporate registration and is designed for trade dealers and business managers. D-9-1 uses a points system rather than a fixed capital threshold, but requires TOPIK Level 3 or above.

What is the D-8-4 OASIS visa and who should consider it?

D-8-4 (기술창업 비자) is for founders who hold intellectual property such as a patent or utility model. Instead of investing ₩100 million upfront, you earn a minimum of 60 points through the OASIS program by combining prerequisite IP items with elective courses and qualifications. It is the main route for early-stage tech founders who do not yet have significant capital.

How does the D-10-2 startup preparation visa work?

D-10-2 (창업준비 비자) is an OASIS-only visa issued for 6 months and extendable to a maximum total stay of 2 years. It lets you enter Korea to develop your business plan, take OASIS courses, and file a patent application before you have a registered company or enough OASIS points to convert. You cannot conduct profit-generating activities while on D-10-2.

Can I convert my D-2 student or E-7 work visa to a D-8 business visa?

D-2 holders can enter the OASIS program and apply for D-10-2 if they meet OASIS eligibility, then convert to D-8-4 once they reach 60 points and register a company. E-7 holders can in principle change status to D-8-1 once the investment and corporate registration requirements are met, but there is no confirmed streamlined conversion track from E-7 at primary sources. Confirm the current process at hikorea.go.kr.

What does the path from D-8 to permanent residency look like?

After holding D-8 for 3 consecutive years and maintaining at least USD 500,000 in investment, you can apply for F-2-5 long-term residency. From F-2-5, maintaining that investment level and directly employing at least 5 full-time Korean nationals for 6 months before application qualifies you for F-5-5 permanent residency. Verify both thresholds at hikorea.go.kr, as USD-denominated amounts change in KRW terms with exchange rates.

Did Korea's 2026 visa overhaul change the D-8 or D-9 capital thresholds?

No confirmed changes to D-8 or D-9 capital thresholds were found as of June 2026. The 2026 immigration overhaul focused on the Top-Tier Visa expansion (which covers STEM researchers), the new K-CORE (E-7-M) track for graduates of domestic technical colleges in manufacturing, and regional labor programs. The ₩100 million D-8 threshold and the D-9 points system appear unchanged. Check investkorea.org or immigration.go.kr for any updates after June 2026.

@misc{seoulstart-startup-investor-visa-guide,
  author = {{Seoulstart Editorial Team}},
  title = {{Korea's Startup, Investor, and Trade Visas: D-8, D-9, and the OASIS Track (2026)}},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Seoulstart},
  url = {https://seoulstart.com/guides/startup-investor-visa-guide},
  note = {Last updated June 13, 2026}
}