Korea D-7 Corporate Transferee Visa: Complete Guide 2026 — Eligibility, Documents, Spouse & E-7 Transition
The D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa is used when a foreign company sends its employees to a Korean branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. Also known as the corporate transferee visa, it is issued to foreign nationals working in Korea on behalf of a foreign parent organization.
Unlike the E-7, which applies to individuals hired directly by Korean companies, D-7 recognizes the transfer of employees already employed by a foreign headquarters to a Korean entity.
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is the D-7 Visa?
- 2. Eligibility Requirements
- 3. Eligible Industries and Positions
- 4. Required Documents
- 5. Application Process
- 6. Stay Period and Extension
- 7. Spouse and Family Accompanying
- 8. Transitioning from D-7 to E-7 or Long-Term Status
- 9. D-7 vs E-7 Comparison
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions
- 11. Consultation
1. What Is the D-7 Visa? {#section-1}
D-7 is the "Intra-Company Transfer" status under Korea's Immigration Act. It is issued to employees of foreign companies who are transferred or seconded to a Korean branch, subsidiary, joint venture, or affiliate to work there.
Key features:
- Requires prior employment at the foreign headquarters (generally 1+ year)
- Initiated by the Korean entity (inviting company) rather than the individual applicant
- Spouse may receive F-3 (accompanying person) status
- Holder may only work at the specified Korean entity
2. Eligibility Requirements {#section-2}
The following requirements must be met for a D-7 visa:
Applicant Requirements
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Headquarters employment | At least 1 year of employment at the foreign headquarters or affiliated entity immediately before transfer (exceptions exist) |
| Position | Executive, manager, or professional (unskilled positions excluded) |
| Employment relationship | Ongoing relationship with foreign headquarters, or contract with Korean entity |
| Nationality | No restrictions |
Sending Company Requirements
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Relationship to Korean entity | Branch, subsidiary, joint venture, or affiliate with an ownership or control relationship |
| Korean entity registration | Korean legal entity established or branch registered |
| Business activity | Active and genuine business operations |
3. Eligible Industries and Positions {#section-3}
D-7 applies across many industries, but the position and role of the transferee are central to the review.
| Position/Role | D-7 Suitability |
|---|---|
| Executives (CEO, CFO, CTO, etc.) | Suitable |
| Managers (department head, team lead) | Suitable |
| IT professionals (developers, engineers) | Suitable |
| Finance, legal, marketing professionals | Suitable |
| General office staff, sales staff | Not suitable — consider E-7 or other visa |
| On-site manual labor, technical labor | Not suitable |
4. Required Documents {#section-4}
Applicant Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | Korean embassy/consulate or MOJ format |
| Original passport | At least 6 months validity |
| Photo | 3.5×4.5cm |
| Resume/CV | Including headquarters employment history |
| Employment certificate (foreign HQ) | Proving 1+ year of employment |
| Transfer/secondment order | Issued by foreign headquarters (transfer to Korean entity) |
| Employment contract or secondment agreement | Including terms of work at Korean entity |
Sending Company (Korean Entity) Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Invitation letter | Signed/stamped by Korean entity representative |
| Korean business registration copy | Proving Korean legal entity registration |
| Evidence of relationship between foreign HQ and Korean entity | Shareholder register, corporate registry, organizational chart, etc. |
| Recent financial statements or tax payment certificate | Proving active business operations |
5. Application Process {#section-5}
- Korean entity prepares invitation letter and supporting documents
- Apply for D-7 visa at Korean embassy/consulate (if currently abroad) or Apply for status change at immigration office (if already in Korea)
- Document review (typically 5–15 business days)
- Visa issuance or status change approval
- Entry or alien registration (within 90 days of entry)
6. Stay Period and Extension {#section-6}
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial stay period | 1–3 years (based on secondment period) |
| Extension | Renewable when secondment period is extended |
| Extension limit | No fixed limit as long as the secondment basis continues |
D-7 holders must depart or change to another status when the secondment ends.
7. Spouse and Family Accompanying {#section-7}
The spouse and minor children of D-7 holders may accompany them to Korea on F-3 (accompanying person) status.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Spouse visa | F-3 (Accompanying Person) |
| Children's visa | F-3 (minor) or D-4/D-2 (for study) |
| F-3 work authorization | F-3 does not permit employment — separate work permit required |
| F-3 eligibility | Legal marriage and accompanying the D-7 holder |
Spouses who wish to work in Korea must obtain separate work authorization, as F-3 alone does not allow employment.
8. Transitioning from D-7 to E-7 or Long-Term Status {#section-8}
Options exist for those who wish to continue living and working in Korea after the secondment ends.
| Situation | Transition Path |
|---|---|
| Directly hired by Korean entity | Change to E-7 (Specific Activities) |
| Marriage to Korean national | F-6 Marriage Immigration |
| Meets F-2-7 points threshold | Apply for F-2-7 residency |
| Meets permanent residency requirements | F-5 Permanent Residency |
Transitioning from D-7 to E-7 requires a direct employment contract with the Korean entity and an assessment of occupational eligibility.
9. D-7 vs E-7 Comparison {#section-9}
| D-7 Intra-Company Transfer | E-7 Specific Activities | |
|---|---|---|
| Employment structure | Seconded from foreign headquarters | Directly hired by Korean company |
| Required condition | 1+ year at foreign HQ | Qualifications/experience in relevant field |
| Initiating party | Korean entity invites the transferee | Korean employer hires the individual |
| Spouse visa | F-3 | F-3 |
| Stay period | Based on secondment period | Up to 3 years (renewable) |
| Long-term transition | E-7, F-2, F-5, etc. | F-2, F-5, etc. |
D-7 is appropriate while the secondment relationship with the foreign headquarters is maintained. Once directly employed by the Korean entity, transitioning to E-7 is standard.
10. Frequently Asked Questions {#section-10}
Q. I worked at the foreign headquarters for only 6 months before transferring to Korea. Can I get D-7? A. The standard requirement is 1 year. A 6-month history may be considered by examiners in exceptional circumstances, but denial is likely. If possible, complete 1 year at the headquarters, or explore alternative visa categories such as E-7.
Q. I'm on D-7 and want to move to a different Korean entity within the same corporate group. Is that possible? A. Yes, but a status change or renewal application is required. If the sending entity changes, prepare new invitation documents and an employment agreement and submit them with your application.
Q. My spouse on F-3 wants to work in Korea. What are the options? A. F-3 does not permit employment by default. Your spouse can apply for separate work authorization or consider changing to a status that allows employment, such as F-2.
Q. My secondment is ending, but the Korean company wants to hire me directly. What should I do? A. Apply to change from D-7 to E-7 (Specific Activities). E-7 requires a direct employment contract with the Korean company, and you must meet the qualification and experience requirements for the relevant occupation.
Q. Can I do freelance work or side projects while on D-7? A. No. D-7 permits work only at the specified Korean entity. Any other employment or commercial activity falls outside your authorized status and constitutes a visa violation.
11. Consultation {#section-11}
D-7 visa applications require careful preparation of documents proving the relationship between the foreign headquarters and the Korean entity, the structure of the secondment, and the nature of the work. Expert guidance is especially important for those planning to extend their Korea stay or transition to E-7 after their secondment ends.
Vision Administrative Office provides support for D-7 visa applications and renewals, E-7 transitions, F-2-7 residency, and F-5 permanent residency.
Free consultation: 02-363-2251
Related guides: