Procedures for establishing a foreign investment corporation (when invested by an individual)

2025-02-28BY Immikorea

Establishing a Foreign Investment Corporation (Individual Investor)

If you are an individual who owns an overseas corporation, you can establish a foreign investment corporation with the overseas corporation as the investing entity (corporate investment), or you can establish a foreign investment corporation as an individual investor.

Requirements to register a foreign-invested company as an individual investor

The investment must be at least $100 million from overseas.
Acquire at least 10% of the total number of outstanding shares.
The investor must be the representative of the Korean entity. If you are a co-investor, you can be a co-representative.

Pros and cons of investing as an individual investor

You can start your own business in Korea and bring your whole family to Korea.
You can send your child to a regular school in your country.
You’re covered by health insurance in South Korea.
If you meet the requirements such as length of stay and business performance, you can apply for permanent residency in Korea.
D8 visas are more difficult to obtain than corporate investors.

해외법인이 투자시 외국인투자법인 설립 절차

Foreign Investment Corporation Formation Process

Since individual investors often establish a foreign investment corporation to obtain a D8 visa, it is important to keep this in mind when establishing a corporation.

For example, whether or not you have a standalone office, and whether or not you have proof of funding, can cause major problems with visa approval if not checked with a consultant beforehand. The rest of the setup process is similar.

Order of Incorporation	Representative	Timeframe
Preparing a Personal Apostille	Administrative history
⇒ Foreign Investment Declaration and Temporary Account Opening		1 day
⇒ Send or carry investment funds		2-3 days
⇒ Registration of Incorporation	Lawyer	3-5 days
⇒ Obtaining a License (Required Industries)	Administrator	variation
⇒ Incorporation and Business Registration		2-3 days
⇒ Issuance of Foreign Investment Company Registration Certificate		1 day
⇒ Preparation of visa documents such as business plan		1 day
⇒ D8 Visa Application		1 month minimum
Set up a tax preparer (if needed)	Tax accountant

Individual Investor Preparation

For individual investors, the documents are simple. Depending on whether you are staying abroad or in Korea, the documents you need to apostille may vary.