Overview
One point first: the Ministry of Justice Visa Issuance Manual and Stay Manual (Sept. 2026 edition) contain no list of refusal reasons written specifically for D-7. This article rereads the requirements, exclusions and verification steps the manual sets out for D-7 from a refusal-risk point of view, and does not guess at any other grounds.
The requirement side centers on one or more years of work at a foreign headquarters or branch, dispatch as essential specialist personnel, and the exclusion of persons who fall under Investment (D-8). On the verification side, the manual provides for a field investigation of newly established branches and applicants with past Immigration Act violations, and for refusing visa issuance on false or forged documents. Prepare the dispatch order, certificate of employment and proof of the domestic branch, but because the reviewing office may add or omit documents, confirm the final list with the competent office. Outcomes differ case by case and nothing can be guaranteed.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scope of the manual | No D-7-specific list of refusal reasons — read through requirements, exclusions and checks |
| Work requirement | One or more years at a foreign headquarters or branch, then dispatch to an affiliate as essential specialist personnel |
| Exclusions and exceptions | Persons under Investment (D-8) are excluded; the one-year rule does not apply to national key industries or national projects |
| Field investigation | Newly established branches and applicants with past Immigration Act violations must be investigated (confirmation required) |
| Document authenticity | A consul may refuse a visa even where a visa issuance confirmation was obtained with false or forged documents |
| Adding or omitting documents | The reviewing office may add or omit some attachments to verify the sincerity of the invitation and eligibility |
Scope of Activity
- Points in the D-7 requirements that can lead to refusal (work requirement, exclusions, scope of essential specialist personnel)
- Verification steps the manual records, such as field investigation and refusal for false documents
- Documents and checks that can be supplemented (visa stage and in-country stage)
- Detailed refusal criteria and case-specific outlooks are not covered (confirm with the competent office)
Who Qualifies
- People expecting dispatch from a foreign headquarters or branch to a domestic affiliate or branch who want to check requirements in advance
- Corporate staff of a newly set-up domestic branch or liaison office planning to invite D-7 essential personnel
- People organizing the manual's check points before supplementing documents or reapplying
- People checking whether Investment (D-8) or Intra-company (D-7) requirements apply to them
Required Documents
- Dispatch order (issued by headquarters, stating the dispatch period) and certificate of employment from the overseas company
- Documents proving essential specialist status (résumé, career certificate, etc.)
- 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, etc.); for new offices, an operating plan and tax record
- For staff of overseas-expanded firms: headquarters certified corporate registry, overseas direct investment or overseas branch report acceptance, proof of overseas remittance, and the overseas branch's corporate registry or business registration
- Letter of reason for invitation when applying for a visa issuance confirmation; for an agent, power of attorney, the agent's certificate of employment and ID
- Extension of stay (persons under item 'a' of the D-7 entry in Annex 1 of the Enforcement Decree): application form, dispatch order or headquarters certificate of employment, copy of the domestic branch establishment permit, proof of operating funds, personal tax payment proof, proof of residence
- Confirm with the competent Immigration Office whether the investigation applies (new branch or past violations) and the final document list
Application Process
- Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
- Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
- Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
- File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
- Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
- Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.
Key Points
- The one-year work requirement is stated in the manual, and some persons, such as those engaged in national key industries or national projects, are exempt from it. For overseas-expanded firms' staff dispatched to a domestic head office, an overseas subsidiary or branch of a listed company is excluded if the head office's investment or operating funds are below USD 500,000.
- The manual defines an executive as someone who cannot directly perform actual service supply or related tasks, and it sets separate scopes for senior managers and specialists. Be ready to support with documents (résumé, career certificate) that the duties fit the definition of essential specialist personnel.
- A footnote in the manual states that where a visa issuance confirmation was obtained with false or forged documents, a consul may still refuse the visa. The confirmation is only one of the recommending documents, and final entry permission is decided by the immigration officer at the airport or port.
- The manual says newly established branches and applicants with past Immigration Act violations must be investigated, in the change-of-status section (D-8 to D-7). Whether the same standard applies to other application types cannot be settled from the manual's layout alone, so confirm with the office.
- This article follows the Sept. 2026 edition of the manual and does not predict any decision. Even with the same documents, decisions can differ by case and the reviewing office may add or omit attachments, so check the competent office's guidance before filing.
- 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
Q. Does the manual list D-7 refusal reasons?
A. In the two manuals I checked there is no list of refusal reasons written only for D-7. It only has check provisions such as requirements, exclusions, field investigation and refusal for false documents, so other reasons cannot be generalized.
Q. Is less than one year of work always a problem?
A. One year or more is the requirement stated in the manual, but it says the rule does not apply to some people, such as those in national key industries or national projects. Ask the competent office whether you qualify.
Q. What happens if documents are false?
A. A footnote in the manual says a consul may refuse the visa where a visa issuance confirmation was obtained with false or forged documents. Prepare every document truthfully.
Q. Is review stricter for a new branch?
A. The manual says newly established branches and applicants with past Immigration Act violations must be investigated. It does not say how strict this is, so ask the office. Preparing proof of operating funds and, for new offices, an operating plan and tax record is what the manual lists.
Q. Can missing documents be supplemented later?
A. The manual only says the reviewing office may add or omit some attachments; it sets no supplement period or number of times. Ask the receiving office whether and how you can supplement.