Contents
1. What is the D-7 Visa?
The D-7 visa (주재 체류자격) is Korea's corporate dispatch / intra-company transfer visa. It is issued to employees of foreign companies who are assigned (주재) to work at their company's Korean branch, subsidiary, or affiliate office.
The D-7 is designed for managers, executives, and specialist employees — not general workers. The foreign company remains the primary employer, and the employee is temporarily stationed in Korea while maintaining their employment relationship with the overseas entity.
D-7 Key Facts
- Stay period: Up to 2 years (extendable, max 5 years total per dispatch)
- Work permitted at: Only the designated Korean office (branch/subsidiary)
- Employer: Foreign parent company (dispatching entity)
- Family: F-3 dependent visa available for spouse and children
2. D-7-1 vs D-7-2: Sub-types Explained
| Sub-type | Who It's For | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|
| D-7-1 | Executives, managers, or specialists dispatched from a foreign head office to a Korean branch, subsidiary, or affiliate | The Korean entity must be a legally registered branch, subsidiary, or affiliated company of the foreign employer |
| D-7-2 | Employees of a foreign trade company dispatched to Korea to manage trade operations | The foreign company must be a trade company; the employee must be managing trade-related activities in Korea |
Which Sub-type Do I Need?
- D-7-1: Most corporate dispatches — multinational companies sending employees to manage a Korean branch or subsidiary
- D-7-2: Foreign trade companies sending representatives to Korea primarily for import/export management
3. Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Employment relationship | Must be an employee of the foreign (overseas) company dispatching them to Korea |
| Minimum tenure | Must have worked continuously at the overseas company for at least 1 year prior to dispatch (executives: may be 6 months) |
| Position level | Executive, manager, or specialist (전문직). General labor or non-specialist roles do not qualify |
| Korean entity | The Korean office must be a registered branch (지점), subsidiary (자회사), or related company (관계회사) of the foreign employer |
| No criminal record | Standard immigration clean-record requirement |
Korean Branch Must Be Registered
The Korean entity you are being dispatched to must be properly registered with Korean authorities (a foreign branch office 외국법인국내지점 or incorporated subsidiary 자회사). You cannot get a D-7 to work at an unregistered representative office or a newly forming company. If the Korean entity does not yet exist, consider the D-8 or D-9 visa route instead.
4. Required Documents
From the Applicant
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | At least 6 months validity |
| Visa application form | Korean immigration standard form |
| Passport-size photo | Recent, white background |
| Dispatch letter | Official letter from overseas company stating the dispatch assignment, position, duration, and salary |
| Employment contract | Contract with overseas company showing 1+ year employment history |
| Educational certificates | Degree and relevant professional qualifications |
| Proof of past salary | Pay stubs or tax documents from overseas company (last 6–12 months) |
From the Korean Receiving Entity
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Business registration certificate (사업자등록증) | Korean entity's registration |
| Branch/subsidiary registration certificate | Proof of relationship with foreign parent company |
| Financial statements | Most recent audited financial statements of the Korean entity |
| Invitation / acceptance letter | Korean entity's official letter confirming they will receive the dispatched employee |
| Staffing plan (인력수급계획서) | Explanation of why the foreign dispatch is needed |
| Corporate organization chart | Showing the relationship between foreign parent and Korean entity |
From the Overseas (Sending) Company
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Business registration / incorporation documents | Proof the foreign company is legally incorporated; apostille required |
| Financial statements | Recent audited financials of the overseas company |
| Relationship proof | Documents proving the overseas company is the parent/affiliate of the Korean entity |
5. Application Process
- Confirm the Korean entity is properly registered — Ensure the branch or subsidiary is registered in Korea and has all necessary licenses.
- Issue the formal dispatch letter — The overseas company writes an official dispatch letter stating the position, duration, and salary in Korea.
- Gather all documents — Collect both the applicant's and company's documents. Overseas documents need apostille and certified Korean translation.
- Apply at the Korean embassy — Submit at the Korean embassy or consulate in the country where the applicant currently resides.
- Wait for processing — Typically 3–10 business days. Complex or large-company cases may take longer.
- Enter Korea — Arrive and begin work at the designated Korean entity.
- Register ARC — Apply for Alien Registration Card within 90 days of arrival.
6. D-7 vs D-8: Key Differences
| D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) | D-8 (Corporate Investor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | Employee dispatched by foreign company | Foreign national investing capital in a new/existing Korean company |
| Capital requirement | None (employment-based) | Minimum KRW 100M investment required |
| Korean entity | Must already exist (branch/subsidiary of foreign parent) | Can be newly established by the investor |
| Employer | Foreign parent company | Applicant is investor/owner of Korean company |
| Work scope | Limited to dispatch assignment role | Investor/executive role at invested company |
| Best for | MNC employees, corporate managers, regional representatives | Entrepreneurs, investors starting a Korean business |
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the D-7 visa in Korea?
The D-7 visa (주재 체류자격) is Korea's intra-company transfer visa for employees of foreign companies who are dispatched to work at a Korean branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. It covers executives, managers, and specialists.
Q. What is the difference between D-7-1 and D-7-2?
D-7-1 is for employees dispatched from a foreign head office or related company to work at a Korean branch or subsidiary. D-7-2 is for employees of a foreign company engaged in international trade who are dispatched to manage trade business in Korea.
Q. How long must I have worked at the overseas company before applying for D-7?
Generally, applicants must have worked continuously at the overseas company for at least 1 year before being dispatched to Korea. Some cases allow 6 months for high-level executives.
Q. Can my family join me on a D-7 visa?
Yes. Immediate family members (spouse and minor children) can join you on an F-3 (dependent) visa. They can live in Korea but may not work unless they obtain their own work visa.
Q. What is the difference between D-7 and D-8 visa?
The D-7 is for employees dispatched by a foreign company to a pre-existing Korean branch/subsidiary (intra-company transfer). The D-8 is for foreign nationals who personally invest in and establish a new Korean company (corporate investor visa). D-7 requires employment with the foreign company; D-8 requires capital investment.
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