The D-8 Corporate Investment Visa is the primary route for foreign entrepreneurs who want to live and work in Korea while running their own registered company. It's the visa most of our clients are aiming for — and also the one with the most misunderstandings around its requirements.
The Basic Requirements
To qualify for a D-8 visa, you must meet all of the following:
- A registered Korean company: The company must be incorporated and fully registered before the visa application. You cannot apply based on a company you intend to set up.
- Minimum foreign investment of KRW 100 million: As of 2026, this is approximately USD 72,000. The funds must be remitted from overseas and documented as a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through KOTRA or a designated bank.
- You must hold at least 10% of the company's shares: If you own less than 10%, you will not qualify as an investor under the D-8 category.
- The company must be in an eligible business sector: Most sectors qualify. Defence-related, broadcasting, and certain restricted sectors do not.
The Capital Requirement in Practice
The KRW 100 million threshold is a hard minimum, but it must be properly structured. The money must be:
- Remitted from an overseas bank account in your name
- Received into your company's Korean bank account
- Reported as Foreign Direct Investment to KOTRA or a designated bank
- Recorded in your company's paid-in capital on the corporate registration
Common mistake: Transferring funds and then withdrawing them for personal use before the visa is issued. Immigration will verify that the capital is still intact and actively deployed in the business at the time of application.
Required Documents
The D-8 visa application requires a substantial document package. Key items include:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay)
- Corporate registration certificate (법인등기부등본)
- Business registration certificate (사업자등록증)
- Shareholder register confirming your ownership
- Foreign investment registration certificate from KOTRA or the bank
- Capital deposit confirmation from the Korean bank
- Company financial plan and business overview
- Lease agreement for your registered business address
Processing Times in 2026
Standard D-8 processing at Korean immigration takes approximately 2–4 weeks once the complete application is submitted. Applications with incomplete documentation are returned and must be resubmitted in full, restarting the clock. Initial D-8 visas are typically issued for 1 year for new companies, extending to 2–3 years upon renewal once the business demonstrates operational history.
Renewal and Long-Term Status
D-8 visas are renewable as long as you maintain the qualifying conditions — the company remains registered and operational, and you maintain your investment stake. After 5 years of continuous lawful residence, foreign nationals may apply for the F-5 Permanent Resident visa, which removes the need for visa renewals and grants near-equal rights to Korean nationals in most civil matters.
Family Members
Your spouse and unmarried children under 19 can accompany you on F-3 dependent visas. They are permitted to reside in Korea but not to engage in employment or business activities without obtaining their own appropriate visa status.
Every D-8 application is different. If your situation involves multiple shareholders, a complex capital structure, or a borderline business sector, it is worth speaking with a specialist before you file. Contact us for a free consultation.