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D-8 · InvestmentLast updated: July 10, 2026
D8 Visa Korea (D-8 Investment Visa) — Complete Guide for Corporate Foreign Investors Korea Investment Visa for foreign-invested corporation operators — minimum KRW 100M investment
1. Overview
The D-8 visa is a long-term residence status granted to foreigners who invest at least 100 million KRW under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act and operate a corporation in Korea. Vision Administrative Agent handles every step from capital declaration to D-8 visa issuance. For official guidelines, see HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) and the Korea Immigration Service.
2. Eligibility Requirements
Valid passport and ID documents (passport copy, recent photos)
Minimum KRW 100,000,000 in foreign investment capital remitted to a Korean corporate account
Registered Korean corporation (주식회사 or 유한회사) enrolled as a foreign-invested enterprise
Active management role in the invested company
No prior immigration violations or unpaid Korean taxes
Business sector not listed under restricted categories (see §3 below)
3. Investment Requirements & Legal Basis
The D-8 visa is established under the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Decree (출입국관리법 시행령) [별표1의2 제27호]. The Foreign Investment Promotion Act (외국인투자 촉진법) defines qualifying foreign investment and minimum capital thresholds.
D-8 Sub-types at a Glance
Sub-type
Investor Category
Min. Investment
Key Condition
D-8-1
Standard corporate investor
KRW 100,000,000*1
Foreign currency remittance; active business operation
D-8-2
Publicly listed company executive
N/A (employment-based)
Dispatched by listed foreign company to Korean subsidiary
D-8-3
Start-up / venture investor
Varies*2
KOTRA or accelerator endorsement required
D-8-4
Technology investor
Certified technology*3
Technology must be certified by designated government body
*1 외국인투자 촉진법 제2조 제1항 제4호 — minimum KRW 100 million in foreign currency remitted through a designated foreign exchange bank.
*2 D-8-3 requirements follow KOTRA's Global Startup Program guidelines; no fixed capital floor but business plan assessment applies.
*3 Technology investment counted in lieu of cash under 외국인투자 촉진법 시행령 별표1의2; valuation must be certified by a government-designated body (기술평가기관).
Restricted Business Sectors
The following sectors are excluded from foreign investment eligibility under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act Annex (별표): gaming & gambling facilities, tobacco manufacturing, certain adult entertainment venues, and other sectors designated by law. If your business touches these areas, consult us before applying.
Current alien registration (if any), entry/exit records
Most recent month
Business
Business registration, employment contract, lease (if applicable)
Business proof
Income
Income tax withholding receipt, bank balance certificate
Last 1 year
Specific documents per case will be advised in your free consultation.
5. Government Fees & Costs
Below are the standard government (immigration office) fees for D-8 related procedures. All figures are based on the Korea Immigration Service fee schedule; amounts may change — confirm the current rate at the time of application.
Fee Item
Amount (KRW)
Notes
Visa Issuance Certificate (사증발급인정번호)
30,000
Paid at Korean immigration office
Change of Status (체류자격 변경)
130,000
If already in Korea on another status
Extension of Stay — 1 year (연장허가)
60,000
Per renewal application
Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증)
30,000
First issuance; reissuance KRW 30,000
Multiple Re-entry Permit (복수재입국)
60,000
Valid for stay period
Korean Corporation Registration (법인설립 등기)
~500,000–800,000
Notary, registration tax & stamp duty; varies by capital size
Agent/administrative fee (행정사 보수): Quoted separately per case. Contact us for a case-specific estimate — free initial consultation.
6. Processing Timeline
From initial consultation to D-8 visa issuance typically takes 4–8 weeks, depending on document readiness and immigration office workload. The table below shows a standard well-prepared case timeline.
Stage
Typical Duration
Key Actions
Document Preparation
Week 1–2
Passport, proof of funds, business plan, apostille or notarization of foreign documents
Company Incorporation
Week 2–3
Articles of association, capital remittance, corporate registration at court registry
Foreign Investment Registration
Week 3–4
Filing with KOTRA or local government; obtain foreign-invested enterprise certificate
Visa Application Submission
Week 4–5
Submit complete dossier to Korean immigration office (내부 심사 시작)
Immigration Review & Issuance
Week 5–8
Additional documents may be requested; D-8 Visa Issuance Certificate issued upon approval
Alien Registration
Within 90 days of entry
Obtain Alien Registration Card at local immigration office
Timeline may be shorter for applicants already in Korea on a qualifying status. Expedited handling is possible for well-prepared cases. Contact us for a case-specific estimate.
7. D-8 vs D-9: Which Visa Is Right for You?
The D-8 and D-9 visas both allow long-term stays for business-related activities in Korea, but they serve different types of investors and operators. Use the table below to identify which category applies to your situation.
Feature
D-8 Corporate Investor
D-9 Trade & Industry
Who qualifies
Foreign investor who owns and manages a Korean corporation
Importer/exporter, franchise operator, or industrial facility manager
Minimum investment
KRW 100M in foreign currency (D-8-1)
No fixed capital threshold; trade contract / project value assessed
Company requirement
Must incorporate a foreign-invested Korean company
Trade contract or project agreement sufficient; no incorporation required for D-9-1
Limited; generally must convert to another status first
Dependent visa (F-3)
Yes — spouse and minor children
Yes — spouse and minor children
Best suited for
Entrepreneurs establishing a Korean HQ or subsidiary
Traders, franchise buyers, or short-to-medium industrial project operators
Not sure which applies? Our team can assess your situation in a free consultation. See also: D-7 Dispatch Visa for intra-company transfers.
8. Procedure
Free consultation and visa eligibility assessment
Case-specific document preparation guidance
Foreign investment declaration or business registration (if applicable)
Visa Issuance Certificate or direct immigration application
Visa issuance at Korean embassy in home country
Alien registration upon arrival (within 90 days)
9. Case Study — D-8 Visa Success (Anonymized)
Client: Nationality withheld · Import/Export Business · Seoul, 2025
A 42-year-old entrepreneur (nationality withheld for privacy) had been running a B2B import/export operation between their home country and Korea for three years, using a C-3 short-term business visa for each trip. Repeated 90-day entries were triggering additional scrutiny at immigration, and the business was growing to a scale that required a permanent Korea-based presence.
Challenge
The client needed to incorporate a Korean subsidiary, remit qualifying capital, and obtain D-8 status — all without disrupting ongoing business operations or triggering a gap in legal Korea stay.
Solution
Vision Administrative Office advised structuring a 유한회사 (LLC) with KRW 150 million capital — above the D-8-1 minimum — to demonstrate substantive commitment to Korean immigration officers.
The capital remittance was processed via a designated foreign exchange bank; foreign investment registration was completed with the local government within 5 business days.
A complete D-8-1 application dossier was submitted to Seoul Immigration Office. No additional documents were requested.
The Visa Issuance Certificate was issued in 34 days. The client obtained the D-8 visa stamp at a Korean embassy and entered Korea within 3 months of starting the process.
Outcome
The client now manages the Seoul operation full-time on a 3-year D-8 extension. After 5 years of continuous D-8 status with the investment maintained, they plan to apply for F-5 permanent residency (Investor category). Spouse and one child were granted F-3 dependent visas concurrently.
Each case is different. This example is provided for illustration only. Contact us for an assessment of your specific situation.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the minimum investment required for a D-8 visa in Korea?
A. The minimum investment is KRW 100 million (approximately USD 75,000) under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. This must be a foreign currency remittance into a Korean corporate bank account. Additional capital may be required depending on the business sector.
Q. Can I apply for a D-8 visa before incorporating a company in Korea?
A. No. A registered Korean corporation with at least KRW 100 million in foreign investment must be established first. Our office handles the entire process from company incorporation and capital registration to D-8 visa issuance.
Q. What types of businesses qualify for the D-8 corporate investor visa?
A. Most sectors qualify, including manufacturing, IT services, consulting, food and beverage, and trade. Restricted sectors include gambling, certain entertainment businesses, and tobacco manufacturing. The key requirement is that the business is actually operated by the visa holder.
Q. How long is the D-8 visa valid and can it be renewed?
A. The D-8 visa is typically issued for 1 year initially. Extensions of 1–3 years are possible as long as the business remains operational and the investment is maintained. There is no upper limit on the number of renewals.
Q. Can my family members accompany me on a D-8 visa?
A. Yes. A spouse and unmarried children under 19 may be granted an F-3 dependent visa. Family members must apply separately after the primary D-8 holder's visa is approved.
Q. What is the difference between a D-8 visa and a D-7 intra-company transfer visa?
A. The D-8 is for foreign nationals who establish and operate their own Korean corporation. The D-7 is for employees dispatched from an overseas parent company to a Korean branch or affiliate. D-8 holders must maintain their ownership stake; D-7 holders must retain their employment relationship with the overseas entity.
Q. Can a D-8 visa holder transition to permanent residency (F-5)?
A. Yes. After holding D-8 status for 5 years with a qualifying investment level, D-8 holders may apply for F-5 permanent residency (Investor category). Requirements include maintaining minimum investment capital, tax compliance, and no immigration violations.
Q. How long does the D-8 visa application process take?
A. From company incorporation to D-8 visa issuance typically takes 4–8 weeks depending on document preparation speed and immigration office workload. Expedited handling is possible for well-prepared cases. Contact us for a case-specific estimate.
