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D8 Visa Information
The D8 visa is the most common visa that foreign individuals apply for to do business in South Korea. Foreign companies can send employees through the D8 visa.
To apply for a D8 visa, you must establish a foreign investment corporation by investing at least 100 million won in capital from abroad. Once you receive a Foreign Investment Corporation Certificate, you have the status of a domestic corporation and can do any business except for some foreign-restricted industries.
D8 visa holders can invite their wives and minor children to live with them on F3 visas, and their minor children can attend public schools in South Korea.
D8 Visa Key Criteria
The D8 visa is the most difficult of all Korean visas.
The main screening criteria are the source of the funds, the name of the sender, the authenticity of the business, and the submission of accurate supporting documentation.
Funding sources
This is the trickiest part because there are cases of fraudulent visa issuance, such as borrowing money to get an investment visa and then paying the money back. You can only invest funds that you have created. If you received the funds from your parents, you’ll need to provide documentation, such as proof of gift tax payment. Failure to demonstrate legitimate funding is grounds for visa inadmissibility, so be sure to consult with a professional before applying. War-related funds, criminal funds, and speculative funds are also not allowed.
Sender’s name
Overseas funds must be remitted to Korea when applying for an investment visa. Funds from within South Korea are not accepted. Remittances are only accepted in the name of you, your wife, and minor children. For transfers of KRW 300 million or more, you can also send money in the name of your parents and spouse’s parents. Funds must be sent from bank to bank, and funds sent through the Money Transfer Application will not be accepted. Many countries have restrictions on sending money abroad, so you can split the deposit into multiple payments or carry cash through the airport (declare it at customs).
The authenticity of your business
To prove the authenticity of your business, you must submit a complete business plan, including proof of your business experience, a business plan, and a business location. For corporate investors, submit the business registration certificate of the headquarters, board of directors’ resolution, shareholder list, etc.
D8 Visa Application Process / Time Required
A power of attorney allows the applicant to do all the application process without entering the country. However, it can speed up the process of notarized documents and visa issuance if the applicant is in-country.
| Procedure | How long does it take |
| Prepare notarized documents (headquarters or personal) | |
| ⇒ Foreign Investment Report (KOTRA or Foreign Exchange Bank) | 1 day |
| ⇒ Remittance of investment funds (foreign exchange bank, customs carry-on) | 2-3 days |
| ⇒ Registration of incorporation (court registry) | 3-5 days |
| ⇒ Licensing (Related Industries) | Variables |
| ⇒ Incorporation and Business Registration (Tax Office) | 2-3 days |
| ⇒ Corporate Bank Account Opening (Foreign Exchange Bank) | 1 day |
| ⇒ Issuance of Foreign Investment Company Registration Certificate (KOTRA or Foreign Exchange Bank) | 1 day |
| ⇒ D8Visa Processing (Immigration Office) | Variables |
D8 visa: Visa change authorization for high net worth investors
Investors with $500,000 or more
- If you invest $500,000 or more in Korea to establish a foreign investment corporation and employ five or more Koreans full-time for at least six months, you can apply for an F-5-5 green card.
- Those who invest $500,000 or more in Korea to establish a foreign investment corporation and have been in the country for three years or more on a D8 visa may apply for an F-2 resident visa.
- If you are an employee of a company that has invested $500,000 or more in the country and have been in the country continuously for at least three years, you can apply for an F-2 visa.
Investors with $300,000 or more
- Those who invest $300,000 or more in Korea to establish a foreign investment corporation and employ two or more South Koreans can apply for an F-2 resident visa.
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