Business Visa • Startup • Trade • Family Settlement

Start, build, and settle your business journey in South Korea.

A complete business migration guide for Indian entrepreneurs covering D-8-1 corporate investor, D-8-4 technology start-up, D-9-1 trade management, OASIS, compliance, PR, and family relocation.

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3

Main visa routes

80

OASIS points target

2026

Updated rules
Business Pathways

Three business pathways for Indian citizens

South Korea is prioritizing high-tech, venture, and genuine investment businesses. Each route has a different capital level, documentation standard, and renewal expectation.

Pathway 1

D-8-1 Corporate Investor Visa

Best for founders establishing a corporation with significant capital.

KRW 100M+

Funds must originate from India.

Foreign Currency Purchase Certificate required.

Minimum 10% voting shares.

Physical commercial office required.

Pathway 2

D-8-4 Technology Start-up Visa

Ideal for founders with a bachelor’s degree and a technology-driven idea.

80 / 300 points

OASIS program points required.

Patent or utility model adds strong value.

Good for AI, green energy, and biotech sectors.

No KRW 100M capital requirement.

Pathway 3

D-9-1 Trade Management Visa

Designed for import-export businesses and private trade owners.

KRW 300M+

Trade Business Code from KITA.

OASIS-4 trade education required.

Commercial office lease required.

Renewal depends on trade volume.

Substance matters more than paperwork.

In 2026, inspections focus on real business activity, clean capital, physical infrastructure, tax compliance, and whether the company is truly operating.
Visa Process

Visa application process

The process moves from capital or point verification to registration, certificate collection, and final visa filing.

D-8-1 Process

1
FDI Notification
Notify a Foreign Investment Promotion Bank before wiring funds.
2
Capital Remittance
Wire at least KRW 100M from your Indian bank account.
3
Incorporation
Register the company and obtain business registration.
4
FIE Certificate
Return to the bank for Foreign-Invested Enterprise registration.
5
Visa Filing
Apply through Embassy or Consulates in India.

D-8-4 Process

1
D-10-2 Prep
Often used to enter Korea for start-up preparation.
2
OASIS Modules
Complete OASIS-1 to OASIS-9 and build points.
3
IP Filing
Apply for or register a Korean patent or utility model.
4
Company Setup
Incorporate a new start-up entity.
5
Status Change
Apply at immigration once you reach 80 points.

D-9-1 Process

1
Trade Code
Apply for a Trade Business Code from KITA.
2
Capital Import
Remit at least KRW 300M from India.
3
OASIS-4
Complete the basic trading course.
4
Business Setup
Register as an individual business owner.
5
Application
Submit certificates, points, and proof of trade readiness.
Documents

Documents required for each pathway

For Indian entrepreneurs, source of funds, apostille, business proof, and physical office evidence are critical.

Visa Core Requirement Key Documents Processing & Fees 2026 Rule
D-8-1 Corporate Investor KRW 100M minimum investment Foreign investment notification, remittance certificate, business registration, corporate registry, ITR and bank statements. 4–6 weeks. Approx. KRW 130,000 visa fee + KRW 30,000 resident card. Investor must own at least 10% shares.
D-8-4 Technology Start-up 80 OASIS points OASIS certificates, Korean patent or utility model, apostilled degree, technical whitepaper or business model canvas. 2–3 months. Approx. KRW 160,000 visa and admin fees. Priority for green energy, AI, and biotech sectors.
D-9-1 International Trade KRW 300M minimum capital Trade Business Code, OASIS-4 certificate, commercial lease, trade records for renewals. 8–10 weeks. Approx. KRW 160,000 total. Annual trade volume evidence required for renewal.

OASIS course and D-8-4 startup route

The OASIS program helps foreign founders build points through intellectual property training, entrepreneurship classes, mentoring, incorporation support, and government start-up programs.

Modules

OASIS-1 Basic IP: 10 points

OASIS-2 Advanced IP: 10 points

OASIS-4 Entrepreneurship: 10 points

OASIS-5 Mentoring: 15 points

OASIS-8 Incorporation Support: 15 points

OASIS-9 Government Support: 25+ points

Key benefits

Government-subsidized training.

Useful for Indian tech founders without large liquid capital.

Can support D-10-2 start-up prep visa.

Patents can substitute part of the cash barrier.

Important strategy: Complete OASIS-1, OASIS-2, and OASIS-4 early to build 30 points and improve your D-10-2 preparation route.

Rules to follow after entry

Your business visa is only the beginning. Renewals depend on reporting, tax, insurance, staffing, revenue, and real operations.

Post-entry obligations

Apply for ARC within 90 days.

Register for national insurances.

Finalize corporate bank account.

14-day reporting rule

Report business address changes.

Report home address changes.

Update passport and company structure changes.

Renewal criteria

Show VAT tax base proof.

Pay yourself a legal salary.

Clear all corporate and local taxes.

Employment rules

Hire Korean nationals when required.

Maintain foreign employee ratios.

Follow Korean labour law.

Prohibitions

No side jobs outside registered business.

Don't withdraw capital for personal use.

Avoid fines and criminal issues.

Post-entry obligations

Apply for ARC within 90 days.

Register for national insurances.

Finalize corporate bank account.

Transition to permanent residence

Permanent residency focuses on income, company performance, tax history, social integration, and clean legal conduct.

D-8-1 → F-5-1

Corporate investor PR

5 consecutive years in Korea.

Personal income generally 2x GNI.

Company sales proof required.

MEA-apostilled Indian PCC required.

D-8-4 → F-5-24

Start-up PR

Eligible after 3 years.

KRW 300M investment or capital milestone.

Hire at least 2 Korean nationals.

Income requirement can be lower than general track.

D-9-1 → F-5-1

Trade PR

Minimum 5 years residency.

Trade volume or sales proof required.

2x GNI income threshold usually applies.

High scrutiny for private business owners.

KIIP Level 5
Identity guarantee
Good conduct
Tax clearance
F-2-7 pivot option
Regional F-2-R option

Moving with family

Spouses and unmarried minor children can usually join on an F-3 dependent visa. Family success depends on schooling, housing, healthcare, language, and community support.

Family visa

Stay is tied to the primary D-8 or D-9 visa. Spouses generally need a separate work-authorized status to work.

Education

International schools are popular with Indian families, while public schools are free but Korean-language heavy.

Housing

Wolse monthly rent is safer for many expats, while Jeonse requires a large lump-sum deposit.

Healthcare

After ARC, families enter the National Health Insurance system and can access strong medical facilities.

Family PR roadmap

Family permanent residency is connected to the primary applicant’s PR eligibility, but dependents still need to meet social integration and good conduct requirements.

Business Visa Family Wait Time Spouse Work Rights Main PR Requirement
D-8-1 Investor 2 years as dependent, practically after primary reaches 5 years No, unless changed to F-2 or another work-authorized visa KIIP Level 5 + joint 2x GNI
D-8-4 Start-up 2 years as dependent, practically after primary reaches 3 years No, unless changed to F-2 or another work-authorized visa KIIP Level 5 + joint 1x GNI in many cases
D-9-1 Trade 2 years as dependent, practically after primary reaches 5 years No, unless changed to F-2 or another work-authorized visa KIIP Level 5 + joint 2x GNI

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