Corporate Investment (D-8) visa
The D-8 visa is for foreign investors and essential specialist staff of foreign-invested companies in Korea. The main sub-type, D-8-1, needs an investment of at least KRW 100 million in an established Korean corporation registered as a foreign-invested company, with at least 10% of voting shares (or shares plus an officer dispatch or appointment contract). Other sub-types cover founders of certified venture companies (D-8-2), investors in Korean-run sole proprietorships (D-8-3) and technology start-up founders (D-8-4).
Life in South Korea
Money
3
Currency
South Korean Won
KRW
South Korean Won
Cost of living
62
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
6–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 10%
Plus local income tax of 10% of national income tax (top combined 49.5%); 45% applies above KRW 1 billion.
Living
1
Happiness
#65 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Foreign investors who put at least KRW 100 million into a Korean company and will manage it or work in it as essential specialist staff, and founders of certified venture or technology start-ups.
Eligibility
Investment of KRW 100 million (D-8-1)D-8-1
- KRW 100 million
- or more in an established Korean corporation
Investment of KRW 100 million or more in an established Korean corporation, owning at least 10% of total voting shares, or owning shares and signing an officer dispatch or appointment contract (Foreign Investment Promotion Act Enforcement Decree, Article 2(2)).
Essential specialist staffD-8-1, D-8-3
The applicant must work in management, administration, production or technology of the foreign-invested company as essential specialist staff; people hired locally in Korea are excluded.
Investor's own funds
- KRW 300 million
- or more
Funds should be in the investor's own name; funds in the name of a spouse or minor children, or remittance by an agent, are accepted exceptionally (for investments of KRW 300 million or more, also parents and parents-in-law).
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