Korea D-7 Intra-company Transfer — The One-Year Rule and Its Exceptions

Overview

D-7 (Intra-company Transfer) applies where a person who has worked at least one year at the head office, branch or other establishment of a foreign public body, organisation or company is dispatched to its Korean affiliate, subsidiary, branch or office as essential professional personnel.

Persons falling under D-8 are excluded, and the one-year rule does not apply where the work concerns a key national industry or a national project, or where the Minister of Justice otherwise finds it necessary.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Work as essential professional personnel at a Korean affiliate, subsidiary, branch or office
• Providing or receiving specialised knowledge, technology or skills at the Korean head office of a listed company or public institution

Who Qualifies

• Persons with one year or more of service at the head office, branch or other establishment of a foreign public body, organisation or company, dispatched as essential professional personnel to its Korean affiliate, subsidiary, branch or office (persons qualifying for D-8 are excluded)
• Persons with one year or more of service at an overseas subsidiary or branch established by a listed company or public institution, dispatched to its Korean head office to provide or receive specialised knowledge, technology or skills

Required Documents

• Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34), passport and ARC, fee
• Dispatch order issued by headquarters
• Certificate of employment at the head office or branch (proving one year of service)
• Evidence of the affiliate/subsidiary relationship (corporate registry extract, etc.)
• Documents on the establishment report/permit for the Korean branch
• Copy of business registration certificate and proof of business performance (corporate tax payment certificate, etc.)

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

• D-8 holders may undertake D-7-type activity within the same corporate group under an out-of-status activity permit, supported by a dispatch order, proof of the group relationship, the branch establishment permit and business performance evidence.
• The manual sets out a route for changing status from D-8 at a foreign-invested company to D-7.
• Separate rules govern movement within the same corporate group for D-7 to D-9 holders.
• 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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