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Korean Law Demystified!

Korea’s D-9 Visa (in a Nutshell)

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The D-9 Visa: Starting a Business After Graduation Without Setting Up a Corporation

The Problem

  • Foreigners wanting to start a business in Korea normally need a D-8 visa, which requires establishing a new corporation — a complicated, lengthy process.
  • The D-9 visa lets you start a business (as a sole proprietorship) without setting up a corporation.

Who Can Apply — 4 Pathways

D-9-1 (Trading Business):

  • Score of 60+ points required (trade-related degree is advantageous)
  • Capital can be under 100 million KRW in this case

D-9-4 (High Investment):

  • Invest 300 million+ KRW to set up a sole proprietorship
  • Not available to holders of D-3, E-9, E-10, G-1, C-3-2, or C-3-3 visas

D-9-5 (Master’s Degree route):

  • Invest 100 million+ KRW after earning a master’s degree in Korea
  • Income earned in Korea can count toward this, up to 50 million KRW

D-9-5 (Bachelor’s Degree route):

  • Available even with just a bachelor’s degree from Korea
  • Must earn at least 30 points in the OASIS program

D-9 vs. D-8 Visa — Key Advantages

  1. No need to set up a corporation
  2. Since it’s not a corporation, funds can be managed more freely
  3. Setting up a sole proprietorship takes much less time than a corporation
  4. Expert/agent fees for visa processing are cheaper than for D-8

Important Tip: Prepare OASIS Early

  • While still on a D-2 visa, complete the OASIS program in advance — it’s not always immediately available.
  • Waiting until the end of your D-2 visa period may mean you can’t start the program in time.
  • For details on applying and training schedules, contact the Global Start-up Immigration Center (070-7726-1352) or check their site.
  • The 2026 SGC OASIS Annual Calendar shows application/program windows spread across the year for OASIS-1, 2, 4+, 5, 7, and 8 tracks — worth checking specific months for each track.

[FYI] The D-9-5 Visa — International Student Trade Management Visa

What It Is

  • Allows foreigners to freely run a business as an individual (sole proprietor) without needing to register a corporation.
  • Increasingly used by international students who graduate from Korean universities and start businesses like online shopping malls and trading companies.
  • Available to students who earned a master’s degree or higher from a domestic university and want to invest 100 million+ KRW to run a company or for-profit business in Korea.

Pathway 1: Master’s Degree Holders

  • Applies to D-2/D-10 visa holders who have (or will) earn a master’s or higher from a Korean university
  • Must raise at least 50 million KRW out of a required 100 million+ KRW in investment funds domestically
  • The remaining funds must be foreign capital, brought in per the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act and Foreign Exchange Management Regulations
  • After completing business registration under the Value Added Tax Act, the business owner may establish a corporation in Korea and conduct for-profit business

Pathway 2: Bachelor’s Degree Holders

  • Available to those who have (or will) obtain a bachelor’s degree from a domestic university
  • Must earn a total of 40+ credits in the “Comprehensive Startup Immigration Support System” (OASIS-1 through 8)

Required Documents

  • Integrated application form, passport, fee
  • Business registration certificate copy, business license (if applicable), foreign investment company registration certificate (if applicable)
  • Business funds documentation: remittance confirmation, foreign exchange purchase certificate, customs declaration/export forms
  • Proof of capital use: receipts for goods purchases, office interior expenses, bank account deposit/withdrawal statements
  • For master’s degree holders: OASIS Training Completion Certificate (if applicable)
  • Proof of residence: lease agreement, monthly rent payment proof, etc.
  • Proof of business existence: lease agreements, business premises materials, office space and signboard photos

Thank you.

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