How to Choose an Administrative Agent for a D-7 Visa — Scope, Documents and Procedure

Overview

A D-7 (intra-company assignment) application splits by type from the start. Under D-7, a visa issuance confirmation, a change of status, an extension of stay and a report of changes in alien registration details each call for different documents. So the first step in choosing an administrative agent is deciding which of these you are handing over, and how far.

This article does not rate or rank any office. It collects, as a checklist organized by documents, procedure and acting on behalf, the questions to ask at a consultation and the materials you prepare yourself. An administrative agent's scope of work has to be confirmed in the consultation. VISAS KOREA (Vision Administrative Office) answers the same questions by explaining its scope of work.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Questions to ask in a consultation when handing a D-7 application to an administrative agent: scope of work, documents you prepare, procedure steps and limits on acting for you
• Documents and cautions by application type (being in Korea, documents issued abroad, review fees)
• Out of scope: comparing or recommending offices, agent fees, judging the likelihood of approval, processing time, and the legal scope of an agent's work

Who Qualifies

• HR or administrative staff at a Korean branch, subsidiary or liaison office who is bringing in staff dispatched from a foreign head office
• Employees about to be dispatched who are facing a visa issuance confirmation or a change of status and want to decide how much to hand over
• Dispatched staff already in Korea on D-7 who are facing an extension or a move within the same group
• Anyone who wants a question list and a list of materials to prepare before a consultation

Required Documents

• Application type: a visa issuance confirmation, a change of status (for example, a D-8 holder moving to D-7 at a foreign company in the same group), an extension, or a report of changes in alien registration details
• The dispatch order issued by headquarters (stating the dispatch period), the certificate of employment from the overseas company, and documents proving essential specialist status such as a résumé or career certificate
• Proof that the domestic branch has been set up: copy of the branch or liaison office establishment permit (or acceptance of report) and documents showing normal operation
• Proof of operating funds brought in (foreign exchange purchase certificate, lease, etc.); for a new office, an operating plan and tax record
• For an extension, proof of personal tax payment (the original, or the withholding receipt for last year, or an income amount certificate) and proof of residence
• Apostille confirmation or consular confirmation by a Korean mission in the country of issue for documents issued abroad
• If an agent files the visa issuance confirmation application, a power of attorney, the agent's certificate of employment and the agent's ID
• Whether the quote separates the government review fee (KRW 60,000 for an extension, KRW 100,000 for a change) from the agent's fee

Application Process

1. Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
2. Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
3. Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
4. File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
5. Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
6. Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.

Key Points

• Different application types need different documents. The extension documents are split between those covered by item (a) and item (b) of the D-7 column in Annex 1-16 of the Enforcement Decree, and members of foreign legal consultant offices have a separate set. Ask first how the agent identifies the application type and draws up the document list.
• Confirm the basis for any acting-on-behalf or attendance arrangement. When an agent files a visa issuance confirmation application, a power of attorney, the agent's certificate of employment and the agent's ID are added. A stay application requires you to be in Korea, leaving after filing can lead to denial, and filing on behalf of a foreigner who is abroad through an immigration-service agency is not possible. There is no separate D-7 rule on in-person attendance or on how far someone can file for you at the counter, so ask the competent Immigration Office how far acting on your behalf extends.
• The review fee and the agent's fee are different things. The review fee for stay applications (KRW 60,000 for an extension, KRW 100,000 for a change) is not refunded once the application is accepted. Get in writing whether the quote separates the two, and how the agent's fee is handled if the case is denied or supplementation is requested.
• Ask for the basis of any explanation that promises a result. Approval is decided by examination, and the reviewing office may add or omit submitted documents. This article is a checklist and does not judge the likelihood of approval.
• Documents issued in Korea must normally be dated within 3 months unless another validity period applies.
• Documents already on file in your alien registration record need not be resubmitted.
• Health certificates, drug test results and pre-employment medical reports must be submitted sealed by the issuing hospital (do not open).
• You must be in Korea when applying; leaving the country after filing may result in refusal.
• Screening fees are non-refundable once the application is accepted.
• The head of the Immigration Office may add or waive documents where necessary for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

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