How to Apply for a D-8 Visa in Korea

The investor visa South Korea program—formally known as the South Korea D8 visa—is the country’s primary pathway for foreign investors who want to establish and run businesses on Korean soil. Whether you intend to open a wholly owned subsidiary, launch a joint venture, or create a strategic branch office, the D-8 is the credential that turns your plans from theory into reality. This article unpacks the entire process, step by step, so you can approach the application with clarity and confidence.

1. The D-8 Visa at a Glance

Feature	Details
Purpose	Authorizes foreign nationals to invest, manage, and direct businesses in Korea
Minimum Capital	KRW 100 million (≈ USD 85,000) officially registered with the Korean government
Business Forms Allowed	Corporation, branch office, or joint venture
Validity & Renewal	Usually issued for one year, renewable so long as the business remains compliant.
Family Reunification	Spouse and minor children can obtain dependent visas

With the investor visa South Korea offers, you may register your company in Korea, open bank accounts, lease premises, hire staff, and—if the venture succeeds—pursue permanent residency (F-5).

2. Do You Qualify? Core Eligibility Criteria

1. Capital Investment

   • Invest at least KRW 100 million in a new or existing Korean entity.

   • Funds must be remitted from abroad under applicant’s name and deposited in a Korean bank designated for foreign investment.
     

2. Business Type

   • You may set up a company in South Korea as a corporation (주식회사), establish a branch (지점) of an overseas firm, or form a joint venture with local partners.
     

3. Business Plan Quality

   • Immigration examiners scrutinize profitability, job-creation forecasts for Korean nationals, and alignment with national economic priorities.
     

4. Management Role

   • You must serve as either a registered director or an executive with decision-making authority.

3. Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Step 1: Company Formation & Investment Registration

• Market Research & Entity Choice

Decide whether to create a new corporation, convert a liaison office into a branch, or partner up locally. Experts such as J&J Korea can advise on the optimal structure.

• Register Your Company in Korea (First Mention)

Submit articles of incorporation, director details, and capital verification to the local District Court and the Korean Companies Registry.

• Investment Registration Certificate (IRC)

File with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) or a local bank to obtain an IRC, proving that your funds meet investor visa South Korea requirements

Step 2: Pre-Screening—Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CCVI)

• Compile the CCVI Dossier

  • Business registration certificate

  • IRC copy

  • Detailed business plan

  • Lease agreement for your Korean office

  • Evidence of capital inflow (bank remittance slips)

  • Passport and résumé
    

• Submit to: The Immigration Service of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in Korea.
  

• Processing Time: 2–4 weeks, though strong documentation often accelerates approval.
  

Step 3: Consular Application

• Where: Korean embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or an MOJ desk in Korea if you entered on a temporary visa.
  

• Key Documents

  • CCVI (original)

  • Completed visa application form

  • Passport (valid for≥ six months)

  • Two color photographs (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)

  • Criminal background check (apostilled, issued within 180 days)

  • Health certificate (if required by the consulate)
    

• Interview: Some consulates conduct a brief interview to confirm your managerial role and investment purpose.
  

Step 4: Post-Arrival Compliance

Once you arrive with your investor visa South Korea entry:

1. Alien Registration Card (ARC)

   • Apply at your local immigration office within 90 days.
     

2. Tax & Statutory Filings

   • Register for VAT and corporate tax; engage local accountants to ensure filings meet Korean GAAP.
     

3. Ongoing Investment Maintenance

   • Maintain the minimum capital level and continue active business operations to renew your visa yearly.

4. Document Checklist at a Glance

1. Corporate Documents

   • Articles of incorporation or branch establishment report

   • Shareholder register and director appointments

   • Office lease agreement
     

2. Financial Proof

   • Bank remittance slips confirming overseas capital transfer

   • Latest business bank statement showing paid-in capital ≥ KRW 100 million

   • Parent company’s audited financials (branch variant)
     

3. Personal Papers

   • Passport & copies

   • Curriculum vitae

   • Criminal record certificate (translated & apostilled)

   • Recent ID photographs
     

Keep originals and notarized translations readily available; Korean immigration often requests in-person verification.

5. Timing, Costs & Common Pitfalls

Phase	Typical Duration	Common Errors
Entity registration	1–2 weeks	Incorrect Korean‐language forms
CCVI issuance	2–4 weeks	Under-funded capital account
Consular processing	1–3 weeks	Missing apostilles
ARC issuance	2 weeks	Late appointment booking

Total timeline: Plan for 8–12 weeks door-to-door if documentation is flawless.

6. Renewal & Path to Permanent Residency

• Renewal: Submit corporate tax returns, updated financial statements, and proof that the investment remains active and above KRW 100 million.
  

• F-5 (Permanent Residency): After five years on a D-8 investor visa South Korea, maintain clean records, show steady income, and pass a basic Korean culture test.

7. Bringing Your Family

Spouses and dependent children (under 19) qualify for F-3 visas once your investor visa South Korea is approved. Submit marriage and birth certificates (translated and apostilled), plus proof of the relationship. Children can attend school and may be eligible for part-time work permits.

8. Professional Support: Why Partner with J&J Korea

Obtaining an investor visa South Korea classification involves navigating multi-layered regulations—commercial, immigration, tax, and labor. J&J Korea offers:

• Bilingual Expertise: Native-level Korean and English guidance.
  

• Tailored Structuring Advice: Choose the right vehicle to set up a company in South Korea (Second Mention).
  

• End-to-End Service: Document preparation, in-person filings, liaison with banks and ministries, and renewal reminders.
  

With seasoned consultants, you avoid pitfalls like under-capitalization, mis-classified business scopes, or lapsed deadlines.

Turning Ambition into Korean Market Presence

Securing the South Korea D-8 visa is the pivotal milestone that enables foreign entrepreneurs to unlock the dynamic Korean market. While the statutory requirements may appear daunting, a methodical approach—paired with reliable local expertise—ensures a smooth transition from application to approval. By investing wisely, maintaining transparent financial records, and meeting renewal obligations, you pave the way not only for profitable operations but also for long-term residency options for you and your family.

Ready to set up a company in South Korea and make your mark? Contact J&J Korea today for a tailored roadmap that transforms paperwork into opportunity.