What Is the D-8 Corporate Investment Visa?
The D-8 (기업투자) visa allows foreign nationals who have made a direct investment in Korea to reside in Korea and manage their Korean business. It is the primary investor visa route for foreign individuals and companies seeking to establish or operate a Korean legal entity through foreign direct investment (FDI).
The D-8 category has four main sub-types, each designed for a different investor profile:
| Sub-type | Target Investor | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|
| D-8-1 | Standard FDI corporate investor | Foreign company or individual establishes Korean corporation with minimum KRW 100M investment; most common route |
| D-8-2 | Venture company founder | Foreigner who has established or invested in a government-certified 벤처기업 (venture company) |
| D-8-3 | Technology holder | Foreign national with specific proprietary technology contributing it as investment capital in lieu of cash |
| D-8-4 | Startup incubator participant | Foreign startup founder accepted into a KISED-designated startup incubator or accelerator program |
D-8-1 Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the D-8-1 visa, you must satisfy all of the following conditions at the time of application:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Foreign nationality | Applicant must hold a foreign (non-Korean) passport; Korean nationals are not eligible for D-8 |
| Minimum KRW 100M investment | Must have invested or commit to invest at least KRW 100,000,000 (approximately USD 75,000 as of 2026) in a Korean corporation; each investor is assessed individually |
| Overseas remittance | Investment capital must originate from outside Korea and be documented with a foreign wire transfer certificate (외국환매입증명서) issued by the receiving Korean bank |
| Managerial or representative position | Must hold a management role — representative director (대표이사), director, or equivalent executive position in the invested company |
| Registered Korean company | The company must be incorporated and operationally registered in Korea (법인등기 + 사업자등록 complete) |
| KOTRA FDI registration | Must obtain 외국인투자기업등록증 (FDI enterprise registration certificate) from KOTRA or authorized bank |
| No criminal record | Clean criminal background; serious criminal convictions may result in visa denial or inadmissibility |
| Valid passport | Passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity at time of application |
| Korean language | No Korean language requirement for D-8-1; language is not assessed in the visa process |
Korean Corporation Types for D-8-1
Foreign investors establishing a Korean legal entity for D-8-1 typically choose from three corporation types. Each has different governance, compliance, and tax characteristics.
| Type | 주식회사 (JSC) | 유한회사 (LLC-type) | 유한책임회사 (LLP-type) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | Joint-stock corporation; most common corporate form in Korea | Limited liability company; simpler governance than JSC | Newest type (introduced 2012); most flexible structure |
| Share structure | Shares (주식); freely transferable unless restricted by articles | Equity interests (지분); transfer requires member consent | Equity interests (지분); more flexible transfer rules |
| Listing potential | Can be listed on Korean stock exchange (KRX); required for IPO | Cannot be publicly listed | Cannot be publicly listed |
| Audit requirement | Full external audit required for companies with KRW 10B+ revenue or assets above threshold | No mandatory external audit unless above statutory thresholds | Generally no mandatory external audit requirement |
| Minimum directors | 1 director minimum; board recommended for larger companies | 1 managing member (이사) minimum | 1 business executive (업무집행자) minimum |
| Taxation | Corporate income tax on entity; dividends taxed at shareholder level | Corporate income tax on entity; similar to JSC | Pass-through taxation option available under tax treaties in some cases; consult tax advisor |
| Best for | Companies planning future investment rounds, partnerships with Korean conglomerates, or industries requiring JSC form | Small-to-mid foreign SMEs seeking simpler governance without audit complexity | US-Korean joint ventures; investors seeking maximum flexibility in profit distribution and governance |
Core Document Checklist for D-8-1 Visa Application
The following documents are required when applying for the D-8-1 visa at a Korean consulate abroad (or in-country status change at a Korea Immigration Service office). All Korean-language documents must be current and, if required by the consulate, accompanied by certified translations.
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visa application form (비자신청서) | Standard Korean consulate visa application form; complete in English or Korean |
| 2 | Valid passport | Original + copy; minimum 6 months remaining validity at application date |
| 3 | Corporate registration certificate (법인등기부등본) | Issued by the relevant district court registry; must be dated within 3 months of application |
| 4 | Business registration certificate (사업자등록증명원) | Issued by the National Tax Service (국세청); confirms operational tax registration of the company |
| 5 | Foreign currency exchange certificate (외국환매입증명서) | Issued by the Korean receiving bank; proves KRW 100M+ was remitted from overseas; one certificate per wire transfer — accumulate if multiple tranches |
| 6 | KOTRA foreign investment notification (외국인투자신고서) | Filed with KOTRA overseas office or an authorized Korean bank; confirms pre-remittance notification |
| 7 | FDI enterprise registration certificate (외국인투자기업등록증) | Issued by KOTRA after investment is completed and company registered; most critical document for D-8-1 |
| 8 | Certificate of incorporation of investing entity (apostilled) | For corporate investors: certified articles of incorporation or equivalent corporate registration document of the parent company, apostilled in the country of origin |
| 9 | Proof of applicant's position and shareholding | Shareholding register (주주명부) showing applicant's share percentage + shareholder resolution or appointment document confirming representative/director role |
| 10 | Passport-sized photos | Recent photos meeting consulate specification (typically 3.5×4.5cm, white background) |
| 11 | Visa application fee | Varies by nationality and consulate; verify current fee schedule directly with your consulate |
KOTRA FDI Notification Process
Filing the foreign investment notification (외국인투자신고) with KOTRA before remitting capital is a mandatory requirement under Korea's Foreign Investment Promotion Act (외국인투자촉진법). Here is the complete sequence:
-
File FDI notification with KOTRA overseas office or authorized Korean bank
Submit the foreign investment notification form (외국인투자신고서) either at a KOTRA overseas investment office (Invest Korea) or at a Korean bank branch authorized to process FDI notifications. Provide: investor details, Korean company details, investment amount, investment type (equity), and planned remittance date. -
Receive KISC notification confirmation number
KOTRA or the bank issues a KISC (Korea Invest in Service Center) notification number and a stamped copy of the notification form. Retain this document — it is required for subsequent steps. -
Remit investment capital from overseas bank account to Korean corporate bank account
Wire the investment amount (minimum KRW 100M equivalent in foreign currency) from a bank account outside Korea to the Korean company's designated bank account. The transfer must reference the KISC notification number where possible. -
Obtain foreign wire transfer certificate (외국환매입증명서) from Korean receiving bank
The Korean bank issues the 외국환매입증명서 confirming receipt of foreign currency funds and conversion to KRW. This is your primary proof of qualifying FDI capital. -
Proceed with Korean company registration at district court
Using the paid-in capital certificate (자본금납입증명서) from the bank, complete the company incorporation at the relevant district court registry (법원등기소). Obtain the 법인등기부등본. -
Register company at National Tax Service for 사업자등록증
After court registration, register with the NTS to obtain the business registration certificate (사업자등록증 / 사업자등록증명원). -
Apply for FDI enterprise registration certificate (외국인투자기업등록증) at KOTRA
Submit completed incorporation documents to KOTRA to obtain the 외국인투자기업등록증. This final KOTRA certificate is the key document for the D-8-1 visa application.
Investment Capital and Remittance Rules
Understanding what qualifies as D-8-1 investment capital and what does not is essential before structuring your investment.
What Qualifies as FDI Capital
- Funds remitted from a bank account outside Korea via international wire transfer, converted to KRW upon arrival at the Korean bank
- Foreign currency deposits into the Korean company's corporate bank account from an overseas source
- Multiple tranches remitted on different dates — accumulate all 외국환매입증명서 certificates to reach the KRW 100M total
- Investment must be recorded as paid-in equity capital (출자금 / 자본금) in the company's corporate register
What Does NOT Qualify
- Domestic Korean funds: Money already held in a Korean bank account — even if originally from overseas — does not qualify as FDI if not remitted through an active foreign wire transfer
- Korean wages or income: Funds earned while working in Korea on any other visa status
- Loans: Investment capital funded by Korean bank loans or domestic borrowing does not count toward the FDI threshold
- Retained earnings capitalization: Converting accumulated company profits into capital does not constitute new FDI
- Accounts payable capitalization: Converting outstanding payables owed by the company to the investor into equity does not qualify as FDI remittance
D-8-1 Visa Duration and Renewal
Initial Visa Validity
The initial D-8-1 visa is typically granted for 1 to 3 years, depending on the issuing Korean consulate, the business plan, and individual circumstances. A 1-year initial period with renewal is common for newly incorporated companies. Established companies with demonstrable operations may receive longer initial grants.
Renewal Requirements
D-8-1 status renewal is processed at a Korea Immigration Service (출입국관리사무소) office before the current permit expires. Required at renewal:
- Current corporate registration certificate (법인등기부등본) and business registration certificate
- KOTRA FDI registration — update required if investment capital changed since initial registration
- National Health Insurance enrollment confirmation (건강보험 가입증명)
- Income tax compliance — corporate tax filing current with NTS
- Financial statements or evidence of business activity (depending on officer's discretion)
No Fixed Maximum Stay
There is no absolute cap on how long you can hold D-8-1 status. As long as the company remains active and registered, the investment is maintained, and renewal conditions are met, D-8-1 can be renewed indefinitely.
Family Members
Spouse and dependent children under age 19 may apply for the F-3 (동반) dependent visa, which allows residence in Korea for the duration of the primary D-8-1 holder's permit.
Path to Permanent Residency (F-5-5)
D-8-1 holders who maintain a qualifying investment can apply for F-5-5 permanent residency under one of two tracks:
- High-investment track: Maintain KRW 500M or more in FDI for the qualifying period
- Investment + employment track: Maintain KRW 300M or more in FDI AND employ 5 or more Korean national employees for the qualifying period
The qualifying residency period requirement for F-5-5 should be confirmed with an immigration attorney as it may vary based on specific circumstances.
D-8-1 vs D-7-1 vs D-8-4: Choosing the Right Business Visa
Foreign nationals setting up business in Korea often compare three main routes. Here is a direct comparison:
| Factor | D-8-1 (FDI Corporate) | D-7-1 (Branch Dispatch) | D-8-4 (Startup Incubator) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Foreign investor establishing an independent Korean legal entity with own capital | Employee dispatched by a foreign parent company to manage its Korean branch or liaison office | Foreign startup founder accepted into a KISED-designated startup incubator or accelerator |
| Minimum investment | KRW 100M from overseas | No fixed investment requirement — parent company's existing capital qualifies | No fixed minimum — incubator acceptance is the primary qualifier |
| Employer / sponsor type | New Korean corporation owned by the investor | Existing foreign company with a Korean branch or office | Korean startup incubator or accelerator program |
| Korean legal entity | Full independent Korean corporation required (주식회사, 유한회사, etc.) | Branch office (지점) or liaison office (연락사무소) — not a full independent corporation | Korean startup entity (incorporated with incubator support) |
| PR pathway | F-5-5 (investment track) after qualifying period and investment level | F-5-1 or points-based F-5-11 after years of residency; no dedicated investment-based PR route | Standard residency-based PR routes after business development |
| Work scope | Management of own investment company only | Activities assigned by parent company; limited to branch operations | Activities within the incubator program scope |
| Family visa | F-3 dependent visa for spouse + children | F-3 dependent visa for spouse + children | F-3 dependent visa for spouse + children |
| Best for | Foreign entrepreneurs and companies making a serious long-term business commitment to Korea with their own equity investment | MNCs sending existing employees to manage Korean operations without creating a new independent subsidiary | Early-stage foreign founders with a viable startup concept seeking structured Korean market entry support |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for D-8-1 if the KRW 100M investment is split across multiple investors?
The KRW 100M FDI threshold applies per investor. If the total company investment meets KRW 100M but each individual investor contributed less than KRW 100M, each investor's D-8-1 eligibility is assessed on their individual contribution. For example, two investors each contributing KRW 50M would each fall below the per-person threshold and would not individually qualify for D-8-1.
Does the D-8-1 visa allow me to work for other Korean companies?
D-8-1 status specifically authorizes management of the investment company. Working for another unrelated Korean employer is not permitted under D-8-1. If you wish to work for a different Korean company, you would need to apply for the appropriate work visa (E-7 or similar) through that employer.
What happens to D-8-1 status if the company ceases operations?
If the invested company closes or becomes dormant, the basis for D-8-1 status disappears. You should notify immigration and depart Korea or transition to another appropriate visa status. Maintaining an inactive company solely to preserve visa status is a common concern — immigration officers may check company activity at renewal.
Can a D-8-1 holder hire Korean employees?
Yes. A D-8-1 investor-manager can hire Korean national employees as part of normal business operations. If you employ 5 or more Korean national employees with KRW 300M or more in investment, you may eventually qualify for F-5-5 permanent residency under the investment-plus-employment track.
How long does the full D-8-1 setup process take from investment notification to visa issuance?
The full process — from KOTRA FDI notification to visa issuance at a Korean consulate — typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. Key milestones: KOTRA notification + remittance (1–2 weeks), court registration (2–3 weeks), KOTRA FDI registration certificate (1–2 weeks), visa application processing (2–4 weeks depending on consulate). Using a Korean 법무사 (judicial scrivener) and immigration attorney shortens the process significantly.
Is there a minimum revenue requirement for D-8-1 visa renewal?
There is no fixed minimum revenue threshold for D-8-1 renewal. The key requirements are: the company is still registered and active, the investment capital remains intact, KOTRA registration is current, and the applicant maintains a management position. However, a company with zero activity over many years may face scrutiny at renewal. Maintaining some business activity — even modest revenue or documented operational costs — is strongly advisable.
