Choosing a Korean D-9 Visa Agent — Scope, Documents and Process Questions

Overview

There is no set standard for how to choose an agent. But D-9 requirements differ by type, such as trade business, dispatch for installing, operating or maintaining equipment, shipbuilding and industrial plant supervision, and foreign sole proprietors, so it helps to split what you hand over and how far, type by type.

This article groups the questions to ask before engaging an agent into three strands: scope of work, documents and process. It does not rate any firm or promise a result. VISAS KOREA explains, item by item in a consultation, how far its support covers the checking and preparation of D-9 application documents.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Questions to ask before engaging an agent: the scope of work handed over, the documents you prepare yourself, and the stages of the process
• Check points for each D-9 type (points-based trade business, dispatch for equipment or shipbuilding, foreign sole proprietors)
• Out of scope: comparing or rating particular firms, agency fees, processing time and judging the likelihood of approval

Who Qualifies

• Foreign nationals who hold or plan to obtain a trade business number and are preparing a D-9 application or change of status
• Dispatched engineers for installing equipment at a company that introduces machinery, or key specialists dispatched to shipbuilding and plant manufacturing, and the companies sending them
• Foreign sole proprietors preparing a change of status to D-9 or an extension
• Business owners deciding whether to prepare D-9 documents themselves or hand them to an agent

Required Documents

• Type check: which of the D-9 categories your activity falls under. For trade operators, a trade business number granted by the Korea International Trade Association is required
• Points-based trade business (D-9-1) change-of-status documents: application, passport, one photo, fee, copy of business registration, copy of the trade business number certificate (issued by the Korea International Trade Association), joint-business agreement if applicable, proof that the business site exists, and documents proving the points
• Dispatch type (equipment or shipbuilding) documents: reason statement for the change of status, dispatch order or certificate of employment issued by headquarters, ship order contract or equipment introduction contract, copy of business registration, and proof of tax payment
• Foreign sole proprietor documents: copy of business registration, proof that business funds were brought in (such as a remittance confirmation), proof of how the capital was used, proof the business site exists, proof of residence and others
• Extension documents: for the points system, a copy of business registration, proof of business site and residence, and proof of points (trade performance, Korean employees, tax paid); for sole proprietors, proof of normal business operation and proof of residence
• Form checks common to all: documents issued in Korea are valid for 3 months from issue unless another period applies, documents issued abroad need an Apostille or consular confirmation, and documents already submitted and kept on file can be omitted
• Questions on scope: get in writing how far the agent takes it among collecting and reviewing documents, completing the application, handling supplements after filing, and filing a change report of registered particulars

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

• Approval is decided by examination. Using an agent does not change how the application is examined.
• You must be in Korea when applying for a stay permit, and leaving after filing may result in refusal. An immigration-service agency also cannot file for a foreign national who is abroad, so share your travel plans when you check the scope.
• The examination fee is not refunded once the application is accepted. It is reasonable to ask how the agent sequences filing so that it happens after document checks are complete.
• A change or addition of the affiliated body is reported as a change of registered particulars within 15 days of the change. Confirm whether post-filing reports are within the agent's scope.
• The visa issuance certificate document list may be adjusted by the head of the office during examination, so check your document list once more against the competent office 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

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