D-8 Corporate Investor Visa Korea: Full 2026 Guide
Last updated: 2026-05-09 | Source: 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (April 14, 2026)
- Minimum investment: KRW 100 million (approx. USD 75,000) remitted from abroad
- Investment must be registered as FDI (foreign direct investment) with KOTRA
- Company must be legally established in Korea; investor must hold a management role
- Initial visa: 1–2 years; renewable with evidence of active business
- Path to F-5 permanent residency after 5 years with sustained investment
What is the D-8 Visa?
The D-8 (Corporate Investor) visa is for foreign nationals who have made a qualifying foreign direct investment (FDI) in a Korean company and are residing in Korea to manage or operate that company. It is the primary visa for:
- Foreign entrepreneurs establishing a new company in Korea
- Foreign investors acquiring equity in an existing Korean company
- Startup founders in government-recognized accelerator programs
- Sole proprietors meeting FDI requirements
Unlike the D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa which requires an existing foreign parent company, D-8 allows any qualifying foreign national to establish and run a Korean business with their own investment capital.
D-8 Sub-Types Comparison
| Type | Who It's For | Min. Investment |
|---|---|---|
| D-8-1 | General corporate investor; executive of FDI company | KRW 100 million |
| D-8-2 | Sole proprietor foreign investor | KRW 100 million |
| D-8-3 | Technology-based venture startup (벤처기업) | Reduced (varies by sector) |
| D-8-4 | Startup founder in recognized accelerator (창업기획자) | Lower threshold |
Eligibility Requirements
- Investment of KRW 100 million or more remitted from abroad (D-8-1 / D-8-2)
- Investment registered as FDI with KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency)
- Company registered with the Korea court registry (법인 등기 or 사업자등록)
- Applicant holds a management position (representative director, executive, etc.) in the company
- No immigration violations or criminal record
- For D-8-1: company must be an incorporated entity (주식회사, 유한회사, etc.)
The D-8 visa covers the investor/operator role only. If your foreign company wants to send a manager to run the Korean branch without FDI, that is a D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa. If you are hiring foreign employees to work at your D-8 company, those employees would typically need E-7 or other work visas.
Required Documents
Investor (Applicant)
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | Completed and signed |
| Passport (original + copy) | Valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay |
| Passport photo (3.5×4.5 cm) | White background, within 6 months |
| No-criminal-record certificate | From home country; apostilled |
Company / Investment
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| FDI notification certificate (외국인투자신고서) | Issued by KOTRA after FDI registration |
| Foreign remittance confirmation | Bank receipt showing KRW 100M+ remitted from abroad |
| Corporate registry extract (등기부등본) | Within 3 months of issuance |
| Business registration certificate (사업자등록증) | Within 3 months of issuance |
| Articles of incorporation | Showing applicant's role and ownership percentage |
| Business plan (사업계획서) | For newly established companies; outlines intended business |
Application Process
- Establish the Korean company — register the corporation with the court registry (법인 설립 등기)
- Remit investment funds — transfer KRW 100M+ from a foreign bank account to the Korean company account
- Register FDI with KOTRA — submit foreign investment notification (외국인투자신고); receive FDI certificate
- Register business with tax office — obtain 사업자등록증
- Apply for D-8 visa — submit at Korean embassy/consulate in home country (initial issuance) or at immigration office in Korea (change of status from eligible visa)
- Receive visa & register ARC — once visa issued, register alien registration card (외국인등록) within 90 days of arrival
FDI Registration with KOTRA
FDI registration is a critical step. Without the KOTRA FDI notification certificate, D-8 visa cannot be issued.
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Notify KOTRA | Submit 외국인투자신고 form with investment amount and company details |
| 2. Open dedicated account | Open Korean bank account in company name designated for FDI funds |
| 3. Remit funds | Wire KRW 100M+ from abroad; bank issues remittance certificate |
| 4. Receive FDI certificate | KOTRA issues 외국인투자신고서 confirming registered FDI status |
D-8 Extension & Path to F-5
D-8 renewals require demonstrating that business is active:
- Tax returns showing business revenue
- Evidence of Korean employee payroll (강화된 갱신 기준)
- Maintenance of the original investment amount
- No outstanding tax obligations
After 5 years of continuous D-8 status with KRW 500M+ investment maintained and 5+ Korean employees, you may qualify for F-5-5 permanent residency. Alternatively, D-8 holders who meet the F-2-7 points threshold (80 points) can apply for the F-2-7 residency visa as a step toward permanent residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment for D-8?
The standard minimum is KRW 100 million (approx. USD 75,000) under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. The full amount must be remitted from abroad and registered as FDI with KOTRA. D-8-3 (tech venture) and D-8-4 (accelerator startup) may qualify at lower amounts — confirm current thresholds with KOTRA or VISION ARC.
Can I invest in installments?
Yes. The minimum KRW 100M may be invested in installments, but the full declared investment must be registered with KOTRA and the D-8 visa will be issued once the required minimum has been remitted. Partial remittance is possible — the visa is issued based on the amount actually transferred and registered.
Do I need to hire Korean employees?
Not for initial D-8 issuance. However, at renewal, immigration officers review business activity indicators including tax filings, revenue, and employment. Companies with no Korean employees and no revenue face closer scrutiny and higher rejection risk at renewal time.
What is the difference between D-7 and D-8?
D-7 is for employees of a foreign company being assigned to the Korean branch or affiliate — no personal investment required, the parent company relationship is the basis. D-8 is for investors who are investing their own capital to establish or acquire a Korean company. If you own and operate a Korean company with your investment, D-8 applies.
Can I bring my family to Korea?
Yes. D-8 holders can sponsor a spouse and minor children for F-3 dependent visas. F-3 holders may live in Korea and attend school but cannot work. There is no restriction on the nationalities of dependents.
How long does the D-8 visa allow me to stay?
Initial D-8 visa is typically granted for 1–2 years. Renewal is possible as long as the investment is maintained and the business is active. There is no fixed maximum number of renewals, but the visa is not permanent — each renewal requires demonstrating continuing business activity.
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