1. What Is the D-9-2 Visa?
The D-9 visa (무역경영) is Korea's Trade and Business Management visa category. It is issued to foreign nationals who engage in trade activities or manage business operations in Korea. The D-9-2 subcategory specifically covers corporate management roles — executives and senior managers dispatched to oversee the operations of a Korean company.
Unlike the D-8 (Corporate Investment) visa, which requires a qualifying foreign investment amount, the D-9-2 is suited for corporate managers who are sent to run or manage an already-established Korean entity, such as a subsidiary, branch, or joint-venture partner.
Legal basis: Immigration Control Act (출입국관리법) Annex Table 1, Status D-9 (무역경영). Enforcement Decree Article 12 and Ministry of Justice guidelines govern eligibility and subcategory classification.
2. Who Qualifies for D-9-2?
The D-9-2 visa is designed for:
- Dispatched executives: CEOs, COOs, managing directors, or regional heads sent by a foreign parent company to manage Korean operations
- Branch or subsidiary managers: Foreign nationals appointed to manage a Korean branch office or wholly-owned subsidiary
- Joint venture managers: Senior managers placed in a Korean joint-venture entity by a foreign partner
- Trade managers: Executives managing trade-related operations (import/export, procurement, logistics) in Korea
Basic eligibility criteria:
- The Korean company must be a duly registered business entity (사업자등록 완료)
- The applicant must hold a managerial or executive role — not a general employee position
- Proof of appointment (임명장 / 재직확인서) from both the foreign parent and the Korean entity is required
- Salary must meet the GNI-based minimum set by the Ministry of Justice
3. D-9-2 vs D-7 vs D-8: Which Visa Do You Need?
Many foreign nationals and HR managers confuse the D-7, D-8, and D-9 categories. Here is a comparison:
| Feature | D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) | D-8 (Corporate Investment) | D-9-2 (Corporate Management) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign investment required | ❌ | ✅ (USD 100M+ typically) | ❌ |
| Same corporate group required | ✅ (parent → subsidiary) | ✅ | Flexible (broad business ties) |
| Prior employment at parent (min) | 1 year | Varies | Not strictly required |
| Eligible roles | Manager / Specialist | Investor / Executive | Executive / Trade Manager |
| F-2-7 points eligibility | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
In practice, a foreign executive dispatched to manage a Korean subsidiary where no direct equity investment is required — such as a contractual management arrangement — will typically fall under D-9-2.
4. Required Documents
From the Korean company:
- Business registration certificate (사업자등록증)
- Corporate registration (법인등기부등본) — for corporations
- Employment / dispatch contract
- Appointment letter (임명장) confirming executive role
- Company financial statements (최근 1년 결산서)
From the applicant:
- Valid passport
- Completed visa application form (사증발급신청서)
- Passport-size photo
- Proof of prior employment / career (경력증명서, 재직증명서)
- Academic certificate (degree or equivalent)
From the foreign parent company (if applicable):
- Business registration or corporate registration of the foreign parent
- Dispatch/appointment letter from foreign headquarters
Tip: Documents issued outside Korea must generally be apostilled or notarized and officially translated into Korean. Vision Administrative Office can arrange certified translation and submission.
5. Salary Standards (GNI-Based)
The D-9-2 visa requires the applicant's salary to meet the Ministry of Justice's GNI-based minimum wage benchmark. The threshold is updated annually based on Korea's per capita GNI.
- 2026 minimum: Approximately 80–100% of Korea's per capita GNI (currently around KRW 40–48 million per year). The exact threshold varies by applicant profile and role level.
- Executive-level roles (CEO, Managing Director) may be held to higher salary evidence standards
- Salary must be paid in Korea and provable via payroll records or a labor contract
Legal basis: Ministry of Justice Notice on Visa Salary Standards (법무부 고시 — 비자 급여기준). Vision Administrative Office verifies the current applicable standard at the time of application.
6. Application Process
- Obtain a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서): The Korean company applies to the regional Immigration Office on behalf of the foreign applicant. Processing time: 2–4 weeks.
- Apply at the Korean Embassy: Once the Certificate is issued, the applicant applies for the D-9-2 visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in their home country. Processing time: 5–10 business days.
- Enter Korea and register residence: Within 90 days of entry, register at the local Immigration Office (외국인등록).
- Obtain Alien Registration Card (ARC): The ARC is issued within 1–2 weeks and serves as the primary ID document during stay.
If already in Korea on another status, an in-country status change (체류자격 변경) to D-9-2 may be possible depending on the current visa type.
7. Renewal and Family Members
Renewal:
- Initial grant: typically 1 year (renewable)
- Renewal application must be submitted before expiry at the local Immigration Office
- Required: continued employment proof, updated payroll records, and confirmation of role continuation
- Long-term D-9-2 holders may accumulate points for F-2-7 (Long-Term Resident) or ultimately F-5 (Permanent Resident) status
Family members:
- Spouse and minor children can apply for an F-3 (Dependent) visa
- F-3 holders may attend school, but generally may not work in Korea
- For working spouses, a separate work visa application is needed (e.g., E-7)
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