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

The list below follows the manual's documents for extension of stay under D-7 category "A". Visa issuance, status change and other procedures use different lists, so confirm with the competent Immigration Office.

• Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34), passport and ARC, fee
• Dispatch order issued by the foreign head office, or a certificate of employment from the foreign head office
• Copy of the Korean branch establishment permit or liaison office establishment permit
• Proof of operating-funds inflow (foreign exchange purchase certificate, lease agreement, etc.)
• Personal tax payment records (personal tax payment certificate, last year's withholding tax receipt, or income certificate)
• Proof of residence (lease agreement, accommodation confirmation, etc.)
• For a status change from D-8 to D-7: evidence of the same corporate group (corporate registry extract, 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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