OASIS Startup Immigration Program: How It Counts Toward D-8-4 Points

Overview

OASIS (the startup immigration support system) is a training and support program run by the Global Startup Immigration Center, jointly designated by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In the D-8-4 tech-startup points system, completing its courses counts as scoring items.

The general D-8-4 requirements are covered in an existing article, so this one focuses on which line of the scoring table each OASIS course falls under and what document proves completion. Confirm detailed scores and the latest revisions with your Immigration Office.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Which scoring-table items OASIS courses fall under (required or optional), and the exceptions and special rules on crediting points
• How completion, awards or selection are proved
• Other D-8-4 requirements (education, incorporation, exemption cases) are in the existing D-8-4 article

Who Qualifies

• D-8-4 applicants under the points system who want to total required and optional items toward the 60-point line
• People who received 30 million KRW or more in direct project funds from a central or local government body but lack the exemption requirements (MSS Minister's recommendation, 2-year recognition period, etc.)
• Holders of OECD-country intellectual property who wonder about the OASIS-2 course exemption
• Bachelor's degree holders from Korean universities preparing a sole-proprietor change under Trade and Management (D-9), where the OASIS credit standard is different

Required Documents

• Application form, passport, Alien Registration Card (if applicable), standard photo, proof of residence (lease, etc.)
• Certified corporate registry and a copy of the business registration (may be omitted where incorporation is not yet complete, but some categories must submit them within 6 months and extend the stay)
• Copy of the degree certificate or a recommendation from the head of the relevant central administrative agency
• Completion (course, graduation) certificate, award confirmation or selection notice for the relevant OASIS item, issued by the head of the Global Startup Immigration Center
• IP holders (registered): copy of the patent, utility model or design registration certificate / applicants: certificate of application issued by the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office
• OECD-country IP holders (registered): copy of the proof (apostille in principle; nationals of non-member countries may use confirmation by a Korean consul in an OECD country)
• Proof for other scoring items (Korean ability, degree, etc.)
• Points-exemption cases: the basic documents plus the MSS Minister's recommendation, etc. (see the D-8-4 article for documents by exemption type)

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

• OASIS-6 and OASIS-9 share a column with government startup-support beneficiaries among the required items, while OASIS-1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are optional items. Check the manual's attached table for the score of each course.
• Where OASIS-6/9 participation, government startup support, or investment of 100 million KRW or more is shared jointly (Korean nationals, foreigners, organizations, corporations, etc.), only the score divided by the number of participants is credited.
• Holders of intellectual property registered in an OECD country are exempt from the OASIS-2 course and are credited the points.
• The "30 or more credits across OASIS-1 to 8" rule belongs to the Trade and Management (D-9) sole-proprietor change and is separate from D-8-4 scoring. OASIS 4 Plus is a trade-specialist course.
• Tech-startup preparation (D-10-2) is a separate status; having participated in OASIS courses or completed them within the last 3 years is one of its eligibility conditions.
• 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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