D-7 Intra-Company Transfer Visa Korea: Complete Guide 2026
The D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa is issued to employees of a foreign corporation who are transferred to a related Korean entity — typically a subsidiary, branch, or affiliated company — to work there temporarily.
Multinational corporations sending key personnel to Korean operations rely on D-7. Its defining feature: the employment relationship with the originating overseas company continues throughout the assignment. D-7 is not for new hires, independent contractors, or foreign nationals starting fresh in Korea.
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is D-7? — The Legal Basis of Intra-Company Transfer
- 2. Corporate Relationship Requirements — 50% Shareholding
- 3. Eligible Positions and Roles
- 4. Pre-Assignment Employment Requirement
- 5. Required Documents
- 6. Application Procedure
- 7. Stay Period and Extension
- 8. D-7 vs D-8 — Key Differences
- 9. D-7 to Permanent Residency
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions
- 11. Consultation
1. What Is D-7? — The Legal Basis of Intra-Company Transfer {#section-1}
D-7 is the "Intra-Company Transfer" status under Korea's Immigration Act. It legally recognizes personnel moves within corporate groups that span national borders.
Who it applies to:
- Employees of a foreign corporation (headquarters, holding company, or affiliate) being assigned to a Korean related entity
- The Korean entity is a subsidiary, branch, joint venture, or liaison office of the sending company
The essential condition: the employee remains employed within the same corporate group before and after the transfer. Signing a new employment contract with a separate Korean company, or starting an independent business in Korea, falls outside D-7's scope.
2. Corporate Relationship Requirements — 50% Shareholding {#section-2}
D-7's gateway condition is that a substantial capital relationship must exist between the overseas company and the Korean company.
Recognized Relationship Forms
| Relationship Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Overseas HQ → Korean subsidiary | Overseas entity holds 50%+ of Korean entity |
| Affiliates under a common parent | Shared holding company controls both entities at 50%+ |
| Overseas company → Korean branch/liaison office | Branch and head office are the same legal entity |
Pure commercial relationships — supplier/buyer contracts, franchise agreements, partnership memoranda — do not satisfy the capital relationship requirement for D-7.
3. Eligible Positions and Roles {#section-3}
D-7 does not cover all job functions. The transferred employee must hold a qualifying role.
Recognized Position Categories
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Manager | Leads a team or department; has supervisory responsibility |
| Specialist | Possesses company-specific knowledge, technology, or expertise |
| Executive | Director, officer, general manager — regardless of whether registered |
Routine clerical, production, or service roles that could be filled through local hiring generally do not qualify. Immigration authorities evaluate whether the transfer involves genuine management authority or specialized expertise that cannot easily be sourced locally.
4. Pre-Assignment Employment Requirement {#section-4}
Before being transferred to Korea, the applicant must have been continuously employed by the sending overseas company for a minimum period.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum continuous employment | 1 year with the overseas entity immediately prior to transfer |
| Employment type | Full-time (regular or contract) |
| Evidence | Employment certificate, pay stubs, employment contract |
Short-term contractors, freelancers, and individuals hired expressly for the Korea assignment just before the D-7 application typically do not meet this requirement.
5. Required Documents {#section-5}
Core Applicant Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | From overseas consulate or Hi Korea |
| Passport | Valid 6+ months |
| Passport-size photo | 3.5×4.5 cm, taken within 6 months |
Assignment and Corporate Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Assignment order | Issued by overseas entity; must state position, duration, purpose |
| Employment certificate | From overseas entity, confirming 1+ year tenure |
| Pay stubs or withholding tax statements | Last 6–12 months |
| Employment contract | |
| Korean entity's business registration certificate | |
| Korean entity's corporate registration extract | |
| Proof of corporate relationship | Shareholder register, ownership chart, group org chart |
| Invitation letter from Korean entity | States role, assignment period, and purpose |
6. Application Procedure {#section-6}
From Overseas
- Korean entity prepares invitation letter and corporate relationship documents
- Submit all documents to Korean embassy or consulate in home country
- Processing: typically 5–15 business days
- Enter Korea after visa issuance
- Register as foreign resident within 90 days at local immigration office
In-Korea Status Change
If already in Korea on another visa:
- Prepare assignment documents
- Apply for D-7 status change via Hi Korea (hikorea.go.kr) or local immigration office
- Processing: typically 2–4 weeks
7. Stay Period and Extension {#section-7}
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial stay | Typically 1–2 years (varies by case) |
| Extension | Available while the assignment relationship remains valid |
| Number of extensions | No fixed limit — must continue to show active assignment |
At each extension, you must demonstrate the corporate relationship is still active. Immigration officers assess whether the actual work in Korea still reflects a genuine transfer, who is paying the salary, and whether the overseas employment relationship continues.
8. D-7 vs D-8 — Key Differences {#section-8}
| D-7 Intra-Company Transfer | D-8 Corporate Investment | |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Personnel move within corporate group | Personal direct investment |
| Overseas affiliate required? | Yes (50%+ shareholding) | No |
| Minimum investment | Not required | ₩100 million |
| Position restrictions | Manager or specialist only | None (company executive) |
| Can start a new business? | No (must maintain transfer purpose) | Yes (investment purpose) |
| PR pathway | F-2-7 → F-5-16 | D-8 5 yrs → F-5-5 |
The most common overlap case: An overseas HQ sends a C-suite executive to serve as CEO of its Korean subsidiary.
- HQ holds 50%+ of the Korean entity + it's a transfer arrangement → D-7
- The same executive also makes a personal capital contribution of ₩100M+ to the Korean entity → D-8 is also viable
- Apply via whichever path has stronger documentation.
9. D-7 to Permanent Residency {#section-9}
D-7 has no dedicated permanent residency category, but two routes are available:
| Route | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| F-2-7 → F-5-16 Points Route | Score 80+ on F-2-7 table while on D-7 → switch to F-2-7 → maintain 3+ years → apply for F-5-16 |
| F-5-1 General Long-Term PR | 5+ years of lawful total stay (D-7 counts) + self-sufficiency + clean record |
Time spent on D-7 counts toward the 5-year lawful stay requirement for F-5-1. The most common path: accumulate enough points for F-2-7 while on D-7, switch status, and then apply for F-5-16 after 3 years on F-2-7.
10. Frequently Asked Questions {#section-10}
Q. Our overseas company owns 49% of the Korean entity. Can I still apply for D-7? A. The standard requirement is 50%+. However, if the actual control structure shows effective management authority, the outcome may differ. Consult a specialist before applying.
Q. Can the Korean company pay my salary directly while I'm on D-7? A. Yes, receiving a Korean payroll is permissible. However, if the salary arrangement changes significantly (e.g., the overseas company stops paying), this can affect the validity of the transfer relationship. Keep contracts clear and consistent.
Q. My assignment ends in 6 months. How can I stay in Korea long-term? A. Once the assignment relationship ends, D-7's purpose is gone and renewal becomes difficult. Plan ahead — assess F-2-7 points now to see if a status change is viable before the assignment ends.
Q. Can my spouse and children join me in Korea? A. Yes. Your spouse and minor children can accompany you on F-3 (accompanying family) visas and reside in Korea for the duration of your D-7 status.
Q. I'm moving from one Korean group affiliate to another. Do I need to reapply? A. Changing the Korean host entity is a change in the transfer arrangement. You will generally need to update your status — a new invitation letter and corporate relationship documents for the new entity are required.
11. Consultation {#section-11}
The most challenging part of D-7 applications is demonstrating the corporate relationship clearly — especially for complex group structures, joint ventures, or cases where shareholding sits just below the 50% threshold.
Vision Administrative Office provides D-7 visa strategy, document preparation, and full application support.
Free consultation: 02-363-2251