π Types of D-8 Visas
| Type | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| D-8-1 | Corporate Investment (λ²μΈμ ν¬μ) | Essential professional personnel who intend to work in the management/administration or production/technical fields of a Korean corporation that is a foreign-invested company under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.Β Invest at least 100 million KRW (~$75,000) in a Korean corporation and either:
|
| D-8-2 | Venture Investment (λ²€μ²κΈ°μ ) | A person who has established a venture company under the Special Measures for the Promotion of Venture Businesses Act, or a person who has been certified as a preliminary venture company. Establish or invest in a certified high-tech or venture company with intellectual property or advanced technology. |
| D-8-3 | Individual Investment (κ°μΈκΈ°μ ν¬μ) | Essential professional personnel who intend to work in the management/administration or production/technical fields of a foreign-invested company β as defined under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act β that is operated by a Korean national (individual). Invest in a Korean-owned business with at least 100 million KRW and hold 10% or more of shares. Must be a co-representative with the Korean partner. |
| D-8-4 | Technology Startup (κΈ°μ μ°½μ ) | A corporate founder who holds at least an associate degree from a Korean institution (or a bachelor’s degree from a foreign institution) and possesses intellectual property rights or equivalent technological capabilities. |
β οΈ Key Requirements Before Applying
β Must secure an office lease in Korea β Shared offices are usually not accepted (unless officially approved).
β Must clearly prove the source of investment funds β Especially when transferring over 100 million KRW from overseas.
β No criminal or illegal stay records in Korea β Previous violations may affect approval.
β Submit supporting business plans β Including export plans, sales forecasts, and hiring intentions for local employees.
Unlike the F-2 Immigration Investment visa, this D-8 visa has the advantage of requiring a relatively smaller investment. However, it can be challenging to obtain if you lack business management experience or proper verification.
Simply investing money without a solid and feasible business plan will make approval difficult.
Furthermore, if the business is operated solely through rental income, it may not be recognized as a valid form of foreign investment.
As with all investment-based visas, clear proof of investment is essential. To increase your chances of approval, itβs advisable to invest an amount significantly higher than the minimum threshold of 100 million KRW.