Branch Office Setup — Complete process for a foreign corporation to establish a branch in Korea. A branch office is a direct extension of the foreign parent company and may engage in full business activities, including signing contracts, collecting payments, and repatriating funds. Dispatched employees from the parent company may apply for the D-7 visa.
Under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, a foreign corporation must file a domestic branch establishment report at a foreign exchange bank, register the branch at the commercial registry, and complete tax registration. Unlike a liaison office, a branch office may conduct profit-generating activities, sign contracts, and repatriate earnings to the head office. Key difference from a liaison office: a branch may operate commercially while a liaison office is limited to non-commercial activities only.
1. Overview
A Korea branch office is a local business base of a foreign corporation — directly affiliated with the parent company. It may conduct commercial activities, sign contracts, receive payments, and repatriate funds. The parent company may dispatch employees who qualify for the D-7 Dispatch Visa.
2. Branch Office vs. Liaison Office
3. Requirements
- Legally incorporated foreign parent company (with valid business registration)
- Board resolution authorizing establishment of Korea branch
- Designated Korean branch manager or representative
- Korean business premises (office lease agreement)
- No outstanding tax liabilities or immigration violations
4. Required Documents
5. Process
- Free consultation and eligibility assessment
- Prepare apostilled/notarized documents from head office country
- File branch establishment report at foreign exchange bank
- Register branch at commercial registry office
- Complete business registration at tax office
- Apply for D-7 dispatch visa for dispatched employees (if applicable)
- Employees register as foreigners within 90 days of entry