Foreign investment report
File the investment amount, shareholding and business type with a foreign exchange bank or KOTRA.
FOREIGN COMPANY SETUP → D-8
From Company Setup to a D-8 Visa in Korea: Step by Step
To set up a company in Korea and obtain a D-8 (corporate investment) visa, the usual order is: foreign investment report → remittance of funds → company registration → business registration → foreign-invested company registration → D-8 application. If the order is changed or the paper trail of the funds is broken, supplementary requests at the visa stage are common, so it is important to plan the whole schedule from the start.
Contact an expert ↗Decide before you start
• Industry: check whether foreign investment is restricted or a separate license is required.
• Investment structure: confirm the D-8 criteria, such as at least KRW 100 million per investor and a 10% or larger stake.
• Company details: decide the trade name, business purpose, capital and directors, including the CEO.
• Office: secure premises for the head office. A genuine workplace helps at the visa review.
• Investment structure: confirm the D-8 criteria, such as at least KRW 100 million per investor and a 10% or larger stake.
• Company details: decide the trade name, business purpose, capital and directors, including the CEO.
• Office: secure premises for the head office. A genuine workplace helps at the visa review.
Documents the foreign investor should prepare
- Passport copy (notarization and an apostille or consular legalization abroad are often required)
- Proof of overseas address
- If a company is investing: its corporate registration documents and proof of its representative (authenticated)
- Signature or seal verification documents
- Remittance account details and proof of the source of funds
Step-by-step process
Remit the funds
Send the money from abroad in the investor's own name for 'foreign investment' and obtain a foreign currency purchase certificate.
Company registration
Register the incorporation at the registry office for the head office with the articles, minutes and proof of capital payment.
Business registration
Register with the tax office after incorporation and open a corporate bank account.
Foreign-invested company registration
Register within 60 days of completing the capital payment and obtain the registration certificate.
Industry licenses
For businesses such as food or travel, complete the required permit, registration or notification before operating.
Apply for the D-8 visa
From abroad, apply for a visa issuance certificate or a consular visa; if already in Korea, apply to change status.
Alien registration
Register within 90 days of entry and keep business records ready for future extensions.
Where people often get stuck
Document authentication
Documents issued abroad often need an apostille or consular legalization, which alone can take weeks.
Money trail
If the remitter, purpose, reported amount and capital do not match, registration or the visa stage will trigger supplementary requests.
Office
A registration-only address with no real workplace can become a problem in the D-8 review.
Timing
Even with documents ready, the whole process usually takes a few weeks to about two months, so plan your stay and entry dates with a buffer.
Who handles what
Company registration is handled by a judicial scrivener, tax and accounting by a tax accountant, and foreign investment filings, industry licenses and the D-8 application by an administrative agent, each within their professional scope. UpdateVisa connects the right professionals through one inquiry and coordinates the overall sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set up a company without coming to Korea?
Yes, with a power of attorney and authenticated documents. Some steps, such as opening a bank account, may require identity verification in person.
When should I apply for the D-8 visa?
Usually after obtaining the foreign-invested company registration certificate.
Can I enter as a tourist and switch to D-8 in Korea?
Depending on your current status and nationality, an in-country change may be restricted, so check in advance.
How long does the whole process take?
It depends on document authentication, remittance and registration, but usually a few weeks to about two months.
Note
This article is general information. Actual procedures and documents may vary by nationality, industry, investment structure and the competent authority's decision.
Plan your company setup and D-8 together
Tell us your business type, planned investment and current status, and we will outline the schedule and documents for each step.
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