Overview
When preparing a D-9 trade management application or extension, people often get stuck not for lack of documents but because they missed the order of checks. This article runs through the checks in sequence as questions and answers: type, points and performance, business site and residence, tax, then timing and reports.
Reviewing reasons for denial is covered in a separate article; this one deals with questions that come up during preparation. Approval is decided by examination. Confirm the exact point calculation and the final document list with the competent Immigration Office.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scope | Common problems and the order of checks when preparing a D-9 application or extension (separate from the denial-reasons article) |
| First check | Which D-9 category your activity falls under and, for trade operators, whether you hold a trade business number |
| Initial points test | At least 60 of 160 points, with at least 10 points from mandatory items; the first permit is for 1 year |
| Extension points test | At least 5 points from the mandatory item (trade performance) out of 50; no mandatory-item points means the extension is refused |
| Proof | Trade performance by one of several documents such as an export-import performance certificate; short-term leases, residential-only leases and online-only offices are in principle not accepted as a business site |
| Timing and reports | Apply while in Korea; a change of affiliated body is reported within 15 days as a change of registered particulars |
Scope of Activity
- Questions that often arise while preparing a D-9 application or extension and the order of checks
- Type check, points system, trade performance proof, business-site and residence proof, tax documents, timing and change reports
- Out of scope: analysis of reasons for denial, judging the likelihood of approval, processing time and agency fees
Who Qualifies
- Foreign nationals preparing an initial application, change of status or extension under the points-based trade business (D-9-1)
- Business owners assessed under the points system as co-representatives
- People dispatched to install, operate or maintain equipment or to supervise shipbuilding and plant manufacturing who are preparing an extension
- Foreign sole proprietors preparing extension documents
Required Documents
- Step 1, confirm the type: whether your activity is company management, trade and profit-making business; installing, operating or maintaining equipment; or shipbuilding and plant supervision, and for trade operators whether you hold a trade business number from the Korea International Trade Association
- Step 2, organize points and performance: for the initial application, trade performance and trade expertise (mandatory items) and stay period, education and bonus items (optional); for extensions, trade performance, Korean employees, tax paid and advanced training
- Step 3, choose the performance proof: one of an export-import performance certificate (issued by the Korea International Trade Association or the Korea Trade Statistics Promotion Institute), an export performance certificate from a foreign exchange bank, or online-mall transaction records
- Step 4, business-site and residence documents: copy of business registration, proof that the business site exists (such as a lease), and proof of residence (such as a lease or proof of rent payment)
- Step 5, tax documents: for points-system extensions, an income tax payment certificate issued by the National Tax Service; for sole proprietors, a certificate of income amount or tax payment certificate; for equipment or shipbuilding dispatch, an individual tax payment certificate
- Step 6, timing and reports: apply while in Korea, get an Apostille or consular confirmation for documents issued abroad, and report a change of affiliated body within 15 days of the change
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
- Within a point item, items generally cannot be counted twice and only the highest single score is counted. For co-representatives holding the same status, the points are applied as 1/n.
- At extension, having no points from the mandatory item (trade performance) means the extension is refused, and from the second extension a score of 10 points or below is also refused. Work out in advance which band you fall in.
- An extension recommendation from a trade education institution is recognized as the mandatory-item score, up to 4 times for the same person. Completing the advanced course (30 hours or more) adds 3 points to the optional items.
- A short-term lease (under 6 months), a residential-only lease or an online-only office is in principle not accepted as a business site, with exceptions only where unavoidable owing to the nature of the business. Check with the office first if this applies.
- Applications for stay permits must be made while in Korea, and the examination fee is not refunded after acceptance.
- 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. Can I not apply for D-9 without a trade business number?
A. A trade operator in D-9 is someone granted a trade business number by the Korea International Trade Association under the Foreign Trade Act. The points-based change-of-status documents also include a copy of the trade business number certificate. The equipment and shipbuilding dispatch types use other documents, so confirm your type first.
Q. My points look short. Where do I start?
A. For the initial application you need at least 60 of 160 points and at least 10 points from the mandatory items (trade performance and trade expertise). Check the mandatory items first, then whether only the highest score within an item is counted and whether 1/n applies as a co-representative. The final decision is made by examination.
Q. What documents prove trade performance?
A. For extensions, submit one of an export-import performance certificate (issued by the Korea International Trade Association or the Korea Trade Statistics Promotion Institute), an export performance certificate from a foreign exchange bank, or online-mall transaction records. Online-mall records are accepted up to 40 percent of the amounts not reported as export-import performance.
Q. What happens if my extension score is low?
A. An extension needs at least 5 of 50 points from the mandatory item (trade performance); with no mandatory-item points it is refused. For the first extension the permitted period is 6 months, 1 year or 2 years depending on the score band (10 or below, 11 to 20, 21 or more), and from the second extension a score of 10 or below is refused.
Q. What tax documents apply if headquarters pays my salary?
A. Extension documents for the equipment or shipbuilding dispatch type include an individual tax payment certificate. Even when salary is paid by a foreign head office, it is subject to Class B earned income tax: if you joined a tax association, submit the Class B earned income withholding receipt; if you instead filed and paid comprehensive income tax, submit the certificate of income amount from the tax office. For inquiries dial 126 without an area code.
Q. What if my affiliated body changes, or I move within the same group?
A. A change or addition of the affiliated body is reported as a change of registered particulars within 15 days of the change, with no fee. For equipment or shipbuilding technical staff moving within the same group, the application, the dispatch order or certificate of employment (issued by headquarters) and the ship order contract or equipment introduction contract are submitted and the case is handled as a change report.