KOREA D-8 VISA (Korea Investor Visa)

OVERVIEW KOREA D8 VISA

Foreign Investment in Korea is an indispensable and important basis for economic growth and job creation.  

 

In pursuit of this wave of globalisation, Korea has enacted the Foreign Investment Promotion Act (FIPA) in 1998. 

 

The foreign investment Promotion Act aims to promote the attraction of Foreign Investment to Korea and contribute to the development of the national economy by providing the necessary support and benefits.  

 

Korea D8 Investment Visa is issued to foreigners or foreign corporations to establish a business in Korea under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, or to invest in an already established business.  

 

It is divided into four categories depending on the investment wayt or type of company, and each has a different upper limit of stay, amount, and method.  

INVEST IN KOREA FROM AROUND THE WORLD (KOREA INVESTMENT VISA)

D8 VISA ELIGIBILITY (KOREA BUSINESS INVESTMENT VISA) 

①  INCOPORATED ENTERPRISE:  Essential professionals who intend to work in the field of management, administration, or production and technology of a Korean corporation that is a foreign-invested company under the 'Foreign Investment Promotion Act'.

BASIC REQUIREMENT

• The investment target must be a Korean Corporation (Only those that have been registered).
• The investment amount must be 100 million won or more, and the investor must own at least on-tenth of one percent of the total number of voting shares of the invested entity or own shares of the entity and enter into an executive dispatch or appointment contract. 
• In principle, investment funds must be in the name of the investor, but exceptions are made for spouses and minor children and proxy transfers.  
• But, in the case of an investor with an investment of 300 million won or more, it is possible to additionally rrecognize importation and proxy remittance in the names of parents and spouses.

 

② BUSINESS VENTURE:  Those who have established a venture company or received confirmation of a preliminary venture company under the Special Measures for the Promotion of Venture Companies Act. (Excl. China & Cuba)

BASIC REQUIREMENT

• A person who has established (or is preparing to establish) a venture company with excellent technology, such as possessing intellectual property rights, and is  representative of a company that has been confirmed as a successful venture company (or a preliminary venture company) under the Special Measures for Venture Company Development Act, or a representative of a company that has been evaluated as having excellent technical skills. 

 

③ UNINCORPORATED ENTERPRISE:  Foreigners Investing in Companies run by nationals

BASIC REQUIREMENT

• The investment target must be a company managed by a Korean National (individual). 
• The investment amount must be at least 100 million won, own at least on-tenth of the total capital of the invested company, and be listed as a co-president with a Korean national on the business license.  
• The business capital of the Korean national who is a co-owner must be at least 100 million won. 

Business in Seoul Korea

 

 

④  TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS STARTUP:  A person who has earned a bachelor's degree or higher in Korea, or a person who has earned a bachelor's degree or highr abroad, or a person recommended by the head of a relevant central administrative agency, who has intellectual property rights or equivalent technical skills, etc. 

BASIC REQUIREMENT 

• A person who has earned a bachelor's degree or higher in Korea, or a person who has earned a bachelor's degree or highr abroad, or a person recommended by the head of a relevant central administrative agency
• Must possess who has intellectual property rights or equivalent technical skills, etc. 
• Establish a Korean Corporation and complete corporate registration and business license. 

 

KOREA D8 VISA BY TYPE - UPPER LIMIT ON THE LENGTH OF STAY PER GRANT

• Incorporated Enterprise: 5 years (Extension allowed)
• Business Venture: 2 years * Preliminary venture company: 6 months  (Extension allowed)
• Unincorporated Enterprise: 5 years (Extension allowed)
• Technology and Busines Startup: 2 years (Extension allowed)