The assistance of a foreign affairs specialist administrative attorney is essential for the D-8 visa, D-8 visa changes, and foreign investor visas.
If you find the process of applying for a D-8 visa, changing to a D-8 visa, or issuing a foreign investor visa difficult, or if you need to respond to a visa denial, consider seeking help from Majung’s foreign affairs specialist administrative attorney.
For matters related to D-8 visa application, D-8 visa changes, or foreign investor visas, our specialist will provide the most suitable solutions.
Contents
1. Want to enter the Korean market? D-8 visa and foreign investor visa
2. From D-8 Visa Application Requirements to the Application Process.
3. What should you be careful about when applying for or changing to a D-8 visa?
1. From D-8 Visa Application Requirements to the Application Process.
If you're a foreigner looking to run a business or invest in a company in Korea, you’ve probably heard of the D-8 visa at least once.
The D-8 visa allows foreigners to engage in investment and business management activities in South Korea.
In other words, if a foreign national wants to invest in a Korean company or operate a business in Korea, they need to obtain a D-8 visa.
This visa is essential as it grants legal permission to establish and run a company in Korea, which is why many foreign investors and entrepreneurs are highly interested in it.
However, since the visa application process and requirements can be somewhat complex, it’s important to understand the correct information in advance.
2. From D-8 Visa Application Requirements to the Application Process.
What is the D-8 Visa (Corporate Investment Visa)?
The D-8 visa is a visa that allows foreigners to establish a company or invest in a business in Korea and engage in business management activities.
It refers to visas for essential professional personnel of foreign-invested companies under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, as well as for venture companies and tech entrepreneurs. It covers a wide range of activities related to corporate investment in South Korea.
This visa is divided into four types based on the scope of activities:
D-8-1, D-8-2, D-8-3, and D-8-4.
Each visa type has different eligibility criteria and requirements, so it is important to fully understand the characteristics and conditions of each.
Types of D-8 Visas
D-8-1 (Corporate Investment Visa)
For essential professionals in management, administration, production, or technology within a foreign-invested company established under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.
D-8-2 (Venture Investment Visa)
For representatives who have founded a venture company based on strong technical capabilities, such as holding intellectual property rights.
D-8-3 (Individual Business Investment Visa)
For essential professionals in management, administration, production, or technology working for a foreign-invested company operated by a Korean national under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.
D-8-4 (Technology Startup Visa)
For corporate founders who:
Hold a degree (associate’s or higher) from a Korean institution, or a bachelor’s or higher from overseas,
Or are recommended by the head of a relevant central administrative agency,
and possess intellectual property or equivalent technical skills.
In Brief:
D-8-1 is for essential personnel working in management, administration, production, or technology within a foreign-invested corporation in Korea, established under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.
D-8-2 is for representatives of venture companies who hold intellectual property or have excellent technological capability, and whose company is either certified as a venture or evaluated as technically innovative.
D-8-3 is for essential personnel working in foreign-invested companies operated by Korean nationals, under the same Act.
D-8-4 is for tech startup founders who meet educational or recommendation criteria and possess intellectual property or equivalent technology.
I'll explain each in more detail below.
① D-8-1 Visa
The D-8-1 visa is intended for individuals who invest in a Korean corporation.
The investment must be made in a fully established Korean corporation, and the minimum required investment amount is 100 million KRW (approx. $75,000–$80,000 USD).
Additionally, the investor must either own at least 10% of the total voting shares of the company or hold shares with the ability to appoint or dispatch executives through contractual agreements.
The investment funds must be under the investor’s own name. However, exceptions may be made in certain cases for transfers made under the name of a spouse or minor child.
This visa is issued to individuals who play a significant role in corporate operations, and the investment is considered a legally protected form under Korean law.
② D-8-2 Visa
The D-8-2 visa targets individuals who have established or plan to establish a venture company.
This includes CEOs of companies certified as venture businesses by a recognized institution for innovation and business growth potential, as well as CEOs of technology-evaluated or pre-venture businesses.
This visa is granted to founders of venture startups who possess intellectual property rights or outstanding technological capabilities.
Examples of acceptable proof of technical capability include:
Patent certificates
Utility model registration certificates
Design or trademark registration
Copyright registrations
This visa provides tech-savvy entrepreneurs with the opportunity to launch and run businesses in Korea.
③ D-8-3 Visa
The D-8-3 visa is for individuals who invest in a Korean-owned company.
The investor must:
Possess at least 100 million KRW in investment capital
Own at least 10% of the company’s total capital
The business must be operated by a Korean national, and the Korean co-representative must be officially listed on the business registration certificate.
This visa allows foreign investors to take part in and manage Korean businesses, and is designed to encourage active participation in company management.
Applicants must also submit proof of investment fund transfer, which serves as important documentation of their actual contribution to the Korean economy.
④ D-8-4 Visa
The D-8-4 visa is for tech startup founders who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher, either in Korea or abroad.
Applicants must already have a degree; those who are still studying or awaiting graduation are not eligible.
Additionally, the applicant must:
Establish a legal entity in Korea
Complete corporate registration and obtain a business license
This visa is issued to entrepreneurs who meet the necessary conditions for tech startups and possess intellectual property or strong technological skills.
If the startup idea has been selected for a government-supported project under laws such as the “Support for Small and Medium Enterprise Establishment Act,” the foreign entrepreneur may qualify for this visa and be allowed to operate a business in Korea.
D-8 Visa Duration of Stay
The duration of stay for D-8 visa holders varies by visa type:
D-8-1 (corporate investment) and D-8-3 (individual business investment): 5 years
D-8-2 (venture investment) and D-8-4 (technology startup): 2 years
3. What should you be careful about when applying for or changing to a D-8 visa?
Applying for a D-8 visa, changing to a D-8 visa, or applying for a foreign investor visa does not guarantee approval.
At Majung, we actively assist in the following situations:
① Have a Criminal Record but Need a Visa?
If a foreign national poses a risk to public safety in Korea, an order of departure may be issued. Also, to obtain a visa, basic residency requirements must be met.
A foreigner's criminal history can significantly impact the visa screening process.
Especially in cases involving serious offenses that led to fines or imprisonment, the visa application may be negatively affected.
If a foreign national has been involved in a crime within Korea, their residency status and visa are often the first to come under threat.
Criminal involvement requires a wise and strategic response.
If you have a criminal history but are in urgent need of a visa, a former immigration official–turned-lawyer at Majung can help you respond effectively and legally.
② Was Your Visa Application Denied?
Visa applications may be rejected for a variety of reasons — not just criminal records, but also due to incomplete documentation, insufficient qualifications, and more.
Simply submitting documents does not guarantee approval.
Are you willing to just accept a visa refusal?
To challenge a visa denial, you must take legal action through an objection (appeal) or an administrative lawsuit.
Here’s something important to note: Administrative litigation is within the scope of a lawyer’s expertise.
Administrative agents are not allowed to represent clients in lawsuits.
Therefore, if your visa has been denied, you should seek assistance from a lawyer, not just an administrative agent.
That’s why we recommend working with Majung, a law firm specializing in immigration, composed of both administrative officers and lawyers.
With broad knowledge and experience in visa and immigration matters, we provide a one-stop legal service — from application to handling visa denials.
If you’re struggling with a D-8 visa application or change of status, don’t hesitate to seek help from Majung.
Thank you.
Multilingual consultation available in English and Chinese.
Professional interpreters assist from the first consultation to the conclusion of the case.
Offices in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju
Don’t face the legal system alone. Let Majung fight for you!
