Korea D-8 Foreign Investment Visa: Complete Guide 2026 — Minimum Investment, Eligibility & Permanent Residency
The D-8 (Corporate Investment) visa is issued to foreign investors who invest in Korea and operate a business, as well as to essential professional personnel dispatched to foreign-invested companies. It is governed by the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.
Both foreign individuals who directly establish a Korean company and those sent from abroad as key personnel of an already-established foreign-invested company may qualify for D-8.
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is the D-8 Visa?
- 2. D-8 Subtypes (D-8-1 through D-8-4)
- 3. Minimum Investment and Requirements
- 4. Foreign-Invested Company Registration Process
- 5. Required Documents
- 6. Stay Period and Extension
- 7. Spouse and Family Accompanying
- 8. Transitioning from D-8 to Long-Term Stay or Permanent Residency
- 9. D-8 vs D-9 vs D-7 Comparison
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions
- 11. Consultation
1. What Is the D-8 Visa? {#section-1}
D-8 is the "Corporate Investment" status under Korea's Immigration Act. It is issued to foreign investors who have invested in Korea under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, and to essential professional personnel working at registered foreign-invested companies.
Key features:
- Requires registration as a foreign-invested company under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act
- Minimum investment amount applies (KRW 100 million or above)
- Investment may be made through company establishment or acquisition of shares
- Long-term stay and path to permanent residency available
2. D-8 Subtypes {#section-2}
D-8 is subdivided based on investment structure and the applicant's role:
| Subtype | Target |
|---|---|
| D-8-1 | Executives, officers, and managers of foreign-invested companies |
| D-8-2 | Specialized technical personnel required by foreign-invested companies |
| D-8-3 | Individual investors (startup without a corporate parent) |
| D-8-4 | Foreign nationals participating in Korea's startup ecosystem (startup visa, accelerator program affiliates) |
D-8-3 and D-8-4 are primarily used as startup visa categories.
3. Minimum Investment and Requirements {#section-3}
General Investment (D-8-1, D-8-2)
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum investment amount | KRW 100,000,000 (approximately USD 75,000) or above |
| Investment form | Capital contribution to newly established company or acquisition of shares in existing company |
| Foreign ownership threshold | At least 10% of shares, or investment of KRW 100M or more |
| Governing law | Foreign Investment Promotion Act |
Individual Startup Investment (D-8-3)
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum investment | KRW 100M or more as registered capital of incorporated company |
| Notes | Must be listed as representative director or executive officer |
| Employment | Not mandatory but recommended to demonstrate genuine business activity |
Startup Visa (D-8-4)
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Registered or recommended by MOJ-designated startup support institution |
| Investment amount | Lower threshold possible depending on the program |
| Stay period | 1 year (renewable; may transition to D-8-3 if requirements met) |
4. Foreign-Invested Company Registration Process {#section-4}
Before applying for a D-8 visa, registration as a foreign-invested company is required.
- Establish a company — Set up a Korean legal entity (corporation, LLC, etc.) or acquire shares in an existing one
- File foreign investment declaration — Declare investment with the Korea Eximbank or KOTRA
- Remit and deposit investment funds — Transfer investment capital from abroad to the Korean company's bank account
- Obtain Foreign-Invested Company Registration Certificate — Complete registration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
- Apply for D-8 visa — Submit visa application with registration certificate and supporting documents
5. Required Documents {#section-5}
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 |
Investment and Company Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Foreign-Invested Company Registration Certificate | Issued by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy |
| Corporate registry extract | Within 3 months |
| Business registration copy | |
| Shareholder register | Confirming equity ownership |
| Investment remittance evidence | Foreign exchange transaction confirmation, etc. |
| Business plan | Required for D-8-3 and D-8-4 |
| Financial statements or tax certificate | For companies already in operation |
6. Stay Period and Extension {#section-6}
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial stay period | 1–3 years (based on investment scale and company status) |
| Extension | Renewable as long as investment and business continue |
| Extension limit | No fixed limit while investment is maintained |
D-8 status becomes difficult to maintain if the investment is withdrawn or the company is dissolved.
7. Spouse and Family Accompanying {#section-7}
The spouse and minor children of D-8 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 authorization or status change required |
8. Transitioning from D-8 to Long-Term Stay or Permanent Residency {#section-8}
D-8 offers pathways to long-term and permanent residency.
| Situation | Transition Path |
|---|---|
| Meets F-2-7 points threshold | Apply for F-2-7 points-based residency |
| Marriage to Korean national | F-6 Marriage Immigration |
| Meets F-5 requirements | F-5 Permanent Residency (including F-5-9: investor permanent residency) |
F-5-9 (Investor Immigration PR) requires investment of KRW 3 billion or more under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, plus maintaining employment of 5 or more Korean workers. Expert consultation is strongly recommended.
9. D-8 vs D-9 vs D-7 Comparison {#section-9}
| D-8 Corporate Investment | D-9 Trade/Business Management | D-7 Intra-Company Transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Investor/executive at foreign-invested company | Trade business operator/representative | Transferee from foreign headquarters |
| Investment requirement | KRW 100M+ | None (trade track record required) | None |
| Company required | Required (registered foreign-invested entity) | Required (Korean entity or business) | Required (Korean branch/subsidiary) |
| Foreign HQ relationship | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Permanent residency path | F-5-9 investor PR, F-2-7, F-5 | F-2-7, F-5 | F-2-7, F-5 |
10. Frequently Asked Questions {#section-10}
Q. If I establish a company in Korea, do I automatically qualify for D-8? A. No. After incorporating the company, you must complete registration as a foreign-invested company under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act and deposit at least KRW 100M in capital before applying for D-8.
Q. Can I operate any type of business on D-8? A. Most lawful businesses are permitted, but certain industries restricted to foreigners (broadcasting, finance, specific services) may require additional scrutiny. Verify industry-specific restrictions before starting operations.
Q. My investment is in place but the business is underperforming. Can I still renew D-8? A. Renewal may be possible if the company is still registered and the investment capital remains, but if there is no real business activity or the company is effectively dormant, renewal may be denied.
Q. What is the difference between D-8-4 and D-8-3? A. D-8-4 is a startup visa with relaxed investment requirements for foreigners enrolled in MOJ-designated startup support institutions (startup cafes, TIPS, accelerators). After completing the program and meeting requirements, transition to D-8-3 (general individual investment) is possible.
Q. Can I get permanent residency (F-5) through D-8? A. You would need to meet the F-5-9 investor immigration requirements: KRW 3 billion or more invested under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act and maintaining 5 or more Korean employees. Alternatively, the general F-2-7 route (points-based) leading to F-5 is also available.
11. Consultation {#section-11}
D-8 visa applications involve complex legal and financial procedures including foreign-invested company registration, company establishment, and investment capital documentation. Expert consultation is especially important for transitioning from D-8-4 to D-8-3, navigating F-5 investor PR requirements, and managing ongoing compliance.
Vision Administrative Office provides support for D-8 visa applications and renewals, foreign-invested company registration, F-2-7 residency planning, and F-5 permanent residency.
Free consultation: 02-363-2251
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