D-8 Corporate Investment Visa Guide: Starting a Business in Korea with a 100 Million KRW Investment (2026)

How to Succeed as an Entrepreneur in Korea: The D-8 Corporate Investment Visa

Welcome to foreign investors looking for new opportunities in Korea's dynamic business environment. The D-8 visa is not just a means to stay in Korea; it is a powerful qualification that allows you to legally establish a corporation and conduct business activities.

However, there are frequent cases where visa applications are rejected even after investing a significant amount of 100 million KRW. This is because immigration authorities carefully examine not only the source of funds but also the 'genuine intent to conduct business.' We have prepared 10 key guides reflecting the latest 2026 screening trends.

What you will learn in this article:

Minimum investment amounts and equity requirements for the D-8-1 (Corporate Investment) visa
Precautions for proving the source of funds (strict requirements for investments under 300 million KRW)
Business premise requirements: Why are virtual offices rejected?
Strategies for obtaining a tech-startup visa using the OASIS points system (D-8-4)

D-8-1 Corporate Investment Visa: Minimum Investment of 100 Million KRW and 10% Equity

This is the most common type of investment visa.

Investment Amount: You must invest at least 100 million KRW.
Equity Requirement: You must own at least 10% of the total voting shares of the Korean corporation you invested in.
Joint Investment: If two people are investing together, they must each invest 100 million KRW (total 200 million KRW) to be eligible for individual visas.

Overseas Remittance of Investment Funds and Securing a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (Mandatory)

The most important aspect is where the funds originated.

Overseas Remittance: Funds must be sent from your home country to your own personal account (or a corporate preliminary account) in Korea.
Supporting Documents: The Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate or remittance confirmation issued by the bank is the essential document for your visa application.
Source of Funds: For investments under 300 million KRW, you may be required to provide additional documentation, such as proof of income or proof of asset sales, to verify that the money is yours.

"No Virtual Offices": Practical Business Premise Requirements

These measures are in place to prevent the use of 'paper companies' that only rent an address to obtain a visa.

Actual Office: There must be an independent office space equipped with desks, computers, telephones, etc.
On-site Inspection: Immigration officers may visit your office to verify if there is signage and if business is actually being conducted.
Shared Offices: Shared offices in the form of independent rooms are acceptable, but open desks or virtual offices are generally prohibited.

D-8-4 Tech-Startup Visa: Utilizing the OASIS Points System

If you lack the capital but have outstanding technical expertise, consider the OASIS program.

Eligibility: Tech-based entrepreneurs with a bachelor's degree or higher from domestic or international universities.
Points System: You must earn at least 80 points across categories such as intellectual property ownership, corporate establishment, and completion of startup training.
Advantages: You can obtain a visa based solely on your startup item and capabilities, without the need for a large capital investment of 100 million KRW.

The Relationship Between Local Employment and Visa Extension

While hiring local employees is not mandatory for visa issuance, it significantly impacts visa extension.

Employment Record: Hiring Korean nationals and enrolling them in the four major social insurance plans is highly beneficial for visa extension screening.
Revenue Generation: If there is no revenue even after one year of incorporation, your business's legitimacy may be questioned, potentially resulting in a short visa extension (e.g., 6 months) or a rejection.

Foreign-Invested Enterprise Registration and Corporate Incorporation Procedure

Administrative foundations must be solid before applying for a visa.

Procedure: Foreign Investment Declaration (Foreign Exchange Bank) -> Funds Remittance -> Corporate Incorporation Registration -> Business Registration -> Foreign-Invested Enterprise Registration (KOTRA or Bank).
Important: All these steps must be completed before applying for the visa, and there must be no discrepancies in the documents (e.g., name spelling).

Difference from the Intra-Company Transferee (D-7) Visa: "Investor vs. Assignee"

You must choose the visa that suits your role.

D-8 (Investor): You invest your own capital into Korea and exercise management rights as a shareholder.
D-7 (Intra-Company Transferee): An employee of the headquarters in your home country is 'dispatched' to work at the Korean branch.
Difference: The D-8 carries the risk of your own capital, but it guarantees management independence.

Inviting Accompanying Family (F-3) and Changing to Residence (F-2) Visa

Successful investors can settle long-term with their families.

Family Accompanying: Spouses and minor children can stay together on an F-3 visa.
F-2-7 Transition: Investors with excellent revenue, tax payment records, and Korean language proficiency can switch to the points-based residence (F-2-7) visa for greater freedom in activities.

2026 Stricter Guide to Verifying 'Source of Funds'

To prevent money laundering, authorities are very strict about tracing the flow of funds.

Under 300 Million KRW: For small investments between 100 million and 200 million KRW, you must prepare detailed documents verifying the source of your income in your home country (e.g., Tax Returns).
Cash Entry Warning: Bringing cash into Korea to invest, even if declared at customs, can be viewed negatively in visa screenings; bank transfers are highly recommended.

Regulations for Aggregating Investment Amounts for Joint Investments in Korea

If multiple foreigners want to invest in one corporation to each receive a visa, the investment amount must meet the 'minimum per person' criteria, not just a simple total sum.

100 Million KRW Per Person Rule: If 3 foreigners want to invest together to each receive a D-8 visa, the corporation's capital must be at least 300 million KRW, and each person's equity must be at least 10%.
Exceptions: Even for special relationships like spouses, since visas are screened individually, note that the source of funds and remittance details must be proven for each person.

Requirements for the Venture Business Confirmation for the Venture Investment Visa (D-8-2)

If you are a startup competing with creative ideas and technology rather than large capital, the venture investment visa is advantageous.

Essential Condition: You must be the representative or a key technical employee of a company that has received the Venture Business Confirmation under the 'Special Act on Encouragement of Venture Businesses'.
Advantages: Capital requirements are more flexible than the standard D-8-1 visa, and the potential of your business based on technical expertise is highly valued.

Reporting Procedures for Business Name Changes or Address Relocations Before Visa Expiration

If the form or location of your business changes while maintaining your visa, you must notify the immigration office.

Reporting Deadline: In case of business address relocation, trade name change, or representative name change (adding co-representatives), you must report to the local immigration office within 14 days of the occurrence.
Penalties: Failing to report within the period may lead to fines and, more importantly, can be a negative factor for 'compliance' in future visa extension reviews, potentially shortening your stay.

D-8 Visa Holders' Obligation to Pay Personal Income Tax and Corporate Tax in Korea

Evidence of successful management is honest tax payment.

Corporate Tax: You must declare and pay corporate tax annually on the Korean corporation's profits.
Personal Income Tax: You have an obligation to file a comprehensive income tax return for salaries or dividend income received from the corporation. As a 'Tax Payment Certificate' and 'Proof of Income' are required for visa extensions, manage your taxes thoroughly through a tax accountant from the start.

📈 Final Checklist Before Applying for a D-8 Visa (2026)

Has 100 million KRW or more in investment funds been sent to Korea from your overseas headquarters/personal account?
Is your equity stake of 10% or more stated in the corporate registry?
Is the lease agreement for an independent office space that is suitable for actual work (not a virtual office) completed?
Is a concrete and realistic business plan (including expected revenue and employment plans) prepared?

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