D-8, OASIS and Startup Korea visas, explained.
The three main ways to found a company in Korea, in plain language, and the immigration application form translated field by field.
Reviewed 10 November 2026 · New online guide. General planning guidance; source types and verification limits are stated below. Not included in the original 2027 print edition; included in the complete Digital Guidebook.
- D-8 is the business visa family. D-8-1 is for investors who bring at least ₩100 million. D-8-4 is for technology founders.
- OASIS is a free government training programme. Its courses earn the points (60 or more) that D-8-4 usually needs.
- The Startup Korea Special Visa, D-8-4(S), swaps the points test for a business evaluation and a Ministry of SMEs and Startups recommendation. It opens in rounds.
- Inside Korea, every change or extension uses the same Integrated Application Form (통합신청서). It's translated field by field below.
Three routes, one visa family
Most foreign founders end up on a D-8 visa. The sub-code depends on what you bring: money, technology, or a selected business plan.
D-8-1 (corporate investor) is about capital. You invest ₩100 million or more from abroad and run the company that receives it.
D-8-4 (technology startup) is about ideas. You found a technology-based corporation and prove it with intellectual property and training points, usually earned through OASIS.
D-8-4(S) (Startup Korea Special Visa) is about selection. A government panel evaluates your plan; if recommended, you skip the degree and points rules.
D-10-2 (startup preparation) is the waiting room. It lets you stay while you earn OASIS points or prepare the company.
Choose D-8-1 if
- You can remit at least ₩100 million from abroad.
- You want to run a foreign-invested company in any lawful industry.
- You don't have patents or a technology product.
Choose D-8-4 if
- You have a bachelor's degree (or a Korean associate degree).
- Your business is built on technology you can file a patent, utility model or design for.
- You can spend a few months on OASIS courses.
Try D-8-4(S) if
- You have a strong technology startup but lack a degree or points.
- You can pitch to an evaluation panel.
- A recruitment round is open on K-Startup.
D-8-1 in plain language
Bring money, make it a company, show it's real.
- 01Report the investment
File a foreign investment report (외국인투자신고) with a foreign-exchange bank or Invest KOREA before sending money.
- 02Send the money
Remit at least ₩100 million from abroad. Cash carried in or money already in Korea generally doesn't count.
- 03Set up the company
Incorporate at the court registry, register with the tax office, then register as a foreign-invested company.
- 04Apply
Apply at a Korean consulate (visa) or immigration office (change of status) with the documents in KOTRA's current Visa Guide.
Immigration checks that the business is operating: office, sales, tax filings, sometimes staff. A paper company with the money withdrawn is a common reason for refusal.
OASIS and D-8-4 in plain language
OASIS stands for Overall Assistance for Start-up Immigration System. Think of it as a points course run by government-designated centres.
According to OASIS, you need at least 60 points including at least one required item. Required items are typically a registered or filed patent, utility model or design. Other points come from courses on intellectual property and starting a business, mentoring, and startup competitions. Courses are free, and some run in English.
You also need a degree: a bachelor's or higher from abroad, or an associate degree or higher from Korea, unless a central government agency recommends you. And you must have set up a corporation (법인), not a sole proprietorship.
If your current visa ends while you're still collecting points, OASIS describes D-10-2 as a six-month startup-preparation status that can be extended.
Typical D-8-4 documents (per OASIS)
- Integrated Application Form and passport.
- Residence card, if you have one.
- Degree certificate (apostilled or consular-confirmed).
- OASIS certificates showing 60+ points.
- Corporate registration certificate and business registration certificate.
- Patent, utility model or design registration or application.
- Proof of business premises.
Where OASIS runs
- KIPA, 131 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu · oasis@kipa.org · 02-3459-2850.
- Seoul Global Center and Seoul Business Agency programmes.
- Other designated centres; the OASIS site lists current courses.
Startup Korea Special Visa, D-8-4(S)
Launched by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in November 2024 for founders of technology startups who don't fit the points model.
Instead of degree and OASIS points, applicants go through a business evaluation. If the panel recommends you, the Ministry's recommendation supports a D-8-4 application at immigration.
Recruitment happens in rounds announced on the K-Startup portal and the Ministry's site. Eligibility details, such as team composition, technology focus and documents, are set in each announcement, so read the current one rather than relying on older summaries.
Before you apply
- Check the open round and its deadline on K-Startup.
- Prepare a business plan focused on technology and growth in Korea.
- Confirm whether the round accepts applicants still abroad.
Don't assume
- That recommendation equals a visa. Immigration still decides.
- That the evaluation is in English. Check the announcement.
- That past round rules still apply.
The Integrated Application Form, translated
Inside Korea, a change of status to D-8 or D-10, an extension or a new residence card all use the Integrated Application Form (통합신청서), annex form No. 34 of the Immigration Act Enforcement Rules. It's printed in Korean and English; here's what each part asks. Applying from abroad uses the separate Visa Application Form (사증발급신청서).
1. 신청 업무: Type of application
- 외국인 등록 · Foreign resident registration: your first residence card.
- 체류기간 연장허가 · Extension of sojourn period: renew D-8 or D-10-2.
- 체류자격 변경허가 · Change of status of sojourn: e.g. D-10-2 → D-8-4, or D-2 → D-10-2. Write the 신청 자격 (status applied for).
- 체류자격 부여 · Granting of status: for people born in Korea or who lost another status.
- 체류자격 외 활동허가 · Engage in activities not covered by status.
- 근무처 변경·추가 · Change or addition of workplace.
- 재입국허가 · Re-entry permit; 체류지 변경신고 · Change of address; 등록사항 변경신고 · Change of registration information.
2. 인적사항: Personal details
- 성 Surname / 명 Given names: exactly as in your passport.
- 생년월일 Date of birth, 성별 Sex (남 M / 여 F), 국적 Nationality.
- 외국인등록번호 Foreign resident registration number, if you have one.
- 여권 번호 Passport No., 여권 발급일자 Issue date, 여권 유효기간 Expiry date.
3. 주소·연락처: Address and contact
- 대한민국 내 주소 Address in Korea.
- 전화 번호 Telephone No. and 휴대 전화 Cell phone No.
- 본국 주소 Address in home country, with 전화 번호 phone number.
- 전자우편 E-mail.
4. 근무처: Workplace
- 원 근무처 Current workplace and 사업자등록번호 its business registration number.
- 예정 근무처 New workplace: for D-8, your own company, with its registration number.
- 직업 Occupation, e.g. company representative (대표).
- 연 소득금액 Annual income, in ten-thousand-won units (만원) on recent versions.
5. 기타: Other
- 재입국 신청 기간 Intended period of re-entry: only if applying for a re-entry permit.
- 반환용 계좌번호 Refund account No.: for refunding fees if refused.
- 신청일 Date of application and 신청인 서명 또는 인 Signature or seal.
- The back page (공용란, For official use) is for immigration staff. Leave it blank.
The English labels follow the form's own printed English; explanations are Settle Seoul's. Download the current form from HiKorea, as layouts change. Many applications must be booked in advance at hikorea.go.kr.
Once you hold a D-8
The visa is the start. Immigration renews it only if the company keeps operating.
Keep
- Tax filings (VAT and corporate tax) up to date.
- Lease and office evidence.
- Records of sales, contracts and staff.
- Your address and company details current with immigration.
Free help
- Immigration Contact Center: 1345 (English).
- Invest KOREA and KOTRA foreign investment consultations.
- Seoul Global Center business consultations.
- OASIS centres for D-8-4 mentoring.
Editorial guide based on official sources, reviewed 10 November 2026. Confirm current requirements with the responsible office before acting.