KOTRA Registration Documents
The following documents are required for KOTRA liaison office registration (외국기업 국내연락사무소 등록신청). All foreign-language documents must be apostilled and accompanied by certified Korean translations.
| Document | Source | Apostille? | Korean Translation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTRA registration application form (외국기업 국내연락사무소 신청서) | KOTRA office or website | N/A | Korean form — fill in Korean |
| Parent company business registration certificate | Home country business registry | Required | Required |
| Parent company articles of incorporation | Home country registry or notary | Required | Required |
| Board resolution authorizing Korea liaison office | Company board meeting minutes | Notarize + apostille | Required |
| Appointment letter for Korean representative | Company letterhead | Notarize + apostille | Required |
| Representative's passport copy | Applicant's passport | No | No (English/Korean name sufficient) |
| Korean office lease agreement | Korean landlord / shared office | No (Korean document) | N/A (Korean document) |
Apostille vs Consular Legalization
Apostille (헤이그협약 국가)
If your home country is a Hague Convention member, you only need an apostille on foreign-language documents. The apostille is affixed by the designated authority in your country (varies by country — often the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of State, or a notary authority).
Major countries with Hague apostille: USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, India, and 120+ others.
Consular Legalization (헤이그협약 미가입국)
If your home country is NOT a Hague Convention member, you must:
- Have the document notarized by a local Korean-recognized notary
- Have the notarized document certified by the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country
This "consular legalization" (영사확인) process takes 1–3 weeks and is more expensive than apostille. Check your country's status at hcch.net.
Korean Translation Requirements
All non-Korean documents submitted to KOTRA must have certified Korean translations. The translation rules are:
- Translations must be done by or certified by a qualified Korean translator
- Each translated page should include: the translator's name, qualification, contact information, and a statement of accuracy
- Machine translations (Google Translate, DeepL) are not accepted
- Translation agencies with Korean government certification are recommended
- Translations done by a Korean court-registered translator (법원 통역인) or certified immigration translation specialist are most reliable
What Must Be Translated
| Document | Translation Required |
|---|---|
| Business registration certificate | Yes — full translation |
| Articles of incorporation | Yes — full translation (may be lengthy) |
| Board resolution | Yes — full translation |
| Appointment letter | Yes — full translation |
| Passport copy | No — name in Latin characters is sufficient |
| Korean lease agreement | No — already in Korean |
Banking & Office Documents
After KOTRA registration, you'll need additional documents for banking and ongoing operations:
Bank Account Opening
- KOTRA registration certificate (외국기업 국내연락사무소 등록증) — the key document
- Representative's passport (original + copy)
- Office lease agreement (with registered Korean address)
- KOTRA registration application form copy (stamped)
- Bank's internal KYC forms (vary by bank)
Office Lease Options
A physical Korean address is mandatory. Options include:
- Commercial office lease: Standard office space with a lease agreement. Most professional but highest cost.
- Shared office (공유 오피스): Coworking spaces like WeWork, Fastfive — accepted by KOTRA with a proper lease agreement.
- Virtual office: Address registration services — accepted by KOTRA as long as there is a written lease or service agreement for the address use. Costs KRW 30,000–100,000/month.
D-7-2 Visa Documents
Once the liaison office is registered, the dispatched representative applies for a D-7-2 visa. Required documents at the Korean embassy or immigration office:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport (6+ months validity) | With room for entry stamp |
| Visa application form + 2 photos | Standard Korean immigration form |
| KOTRA registration certificate | Certified copy; issued within 3 months |
| Dispatch letter from parent company | On company letterhead; specifying role, period, monthly allowance |
| Employment certificate (1+ year) | Issued by HR; confirming employment start date with parent company |
| Parent company registration certificate | Apostilled copy |
| Parent company financial statements | Most recent year; Korean translation |
| Processing fee | USD 40–80 depending on nationality; payable at Korean embassy |
Common Document Errors That Cause Rejection
- Expired documents: Business registration certificates older than 3 months from application date
- Missing apostille: Foreign documents submitted without apostille or consular legalization
- Uncertified translation: Translations without translator's certification statement
- Wrong board resolution format: Not specifying the Korean office address, representative name, and authorization scope clearly
- Virtual office with no contract: Listing a shared office address without providing the service agreement
- Dispatch letter missing salary information: The dispatch letter must state the monthly allowance or salary to be paid to the representative
- Employment certificate not specifying 1+ year: KOTRA and immigration need confirmation of the exact employment start date
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents are required for KOTRA liaison office registration?
Required: KOTRA application form, parent company business registration (apostilled + translated), articles of incorporation (apostilled + translated), board resolution, representative appointment letter, passport copy, and Korean office lease agreement.
Do liaison office documents need to be apostilled?
Yes. All foreign documents must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or consular-legalized (for non-Hague countries). Notarization alone is not sufficient.
Does my business registration certificate need a Korean translation?
Yes. All non-Korean documents require certified Korean translations from a qualified translator. Machine translations are not accepted.
How recent must parent company documents be?
Generally within 3 months of the application date. Original founding documents (like articles of incorporation) may be older, but KOTRA may request a current-validity confirmation for the business registration certificate.
Can I submit documents in English without Korean translation?
No. KOTRA requires Korean translations of all non-Korean documents, including English-language ones. There is no English-language exception.
What is the difference between apostille and consular legalization?
Apostille is a single stamp used between Hague Convention member countries. Consular legalization is for non-Hague countries — local notarization + Korean embassy certification. Apostille is simpler and faster where available.
