D-8 Investment Visa in Korea: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

1. ·Article 10-2(1) of the Immigration Act classifies stay statuses into two types: short-stay (up to 90 days, e.g. tourism) and long-stay (over 90 days, e.g. investment, study, marriage).
2. ·Article 10-2(1)(2) explicitly lists 'investment (투자)' as one of the recognized purposes for a long-stay visa, confirming D-8's legal basis.
3. ·Article 10-2(2) states that the specific types of stay status, who qualifies, and the permitted scope of activities are determined by Presidential Decree — meaning D-8 investment thresholds and activity limits are not fixed in the Act itself but in subordinate regulations.
4. ·Article 10-3 establishes a separate 'Permanent Residency (F-5)' category with no restrictions on activity or stay period — long-term D-8 holders may eventually pursue F-5, subject to meeting all conditions including financial self-sufficiency, Korean language ability, and law-abiding conduct.
5. ·Article 89-2 warns that permanent residency can be revoked if obtained by fraud, if serious criminal convictions occur, or if investment maintenance conditions (set by Presidential Decree) are no longer met — this principle of 'condition maintenance' also applies to investment-based statuses like D-8.

1. ·Purpose of stay must be corporate investment in Korea (long-stay, over 90 days) — Article 10-2(1)(2)
2. ·Specific investment amount, type of corporation, and eligible activities are determined by Presidential Decree (Article 10-2(2)) — confirm current thresholds with the Immigration Office
3. ·Applicant must not have obtained or maintained the visa through fraudulent means (Article 89-2 principle applies)
4. ·Ongoing maintenance of the qualifying investment condition is required throughout the visa period
5. ·Compliance with all Korean laws and Ministry of Justice regulations

1. 11. Confirm current D-8 requirements (minimum investment amount, eligible business type, required documents) directly with the Immigration Office or via Hi Korea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — these are set by Presidential Decree and may change.
2. 22. Establish or invest in a qualifying Korean corporation before applying (specific thresholds set by Presidential Decree — verify current figures).
3. 33. Gather all required documents (see Documents section below).
4. 44. If outside Korea: apply at the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your home country. If already in Korea on another visa: apply for a visa change at your regional Immigration Office or online via Hi Korea.
5. 55. After entry/approval, register your place of residence (외국인등록, Alien Registration) at the Immigration Office within the legally required period.
6. 66. Maintain the qualifying investment throughout your stay and renew your visa before expiry.
7. 77. If you plan to pursue Permanent Residency (F-5) in the future, begin tracking the required period of lawful stay and maintaining eligibility conditions per Article 10-3.

Regional Immigration Office (출입국·외국인청) — apply online via Hi Korea (www.hikorea.go.kr) or visit in person. Abroad: Korean Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

1. ·Assuming investment thresholds are fixed — they are set by Presidential Decree and can change; always verify the current minimum amount before investing or applying.
2. ·Failing to maintain the qualifying investment after visa issuance — if the investment condition is no longer met, the visa can be revoked (Article 89-2 principle).
3. ·Providing false or exaggerated investment documents — fraudulent acquisition is grounds for mandatory visa/residency cancellation (Article 89-2(1)).
4. ·Missing the Alien Registration deadline after entry — register at the Immigration Office within the required period.
5. ·Overstaying or conducting activities outside the permitted scope of D-8 — long-stay activities and scope are strictly defined by Presidential Decree (Article 10-2(2)).
6. ·Not applying for extension before visa expiry — this can result in illegal overstay status.