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31-2 · Work, investment & study visas

D-8 (Corporate Investment) Extension of Stay

A foreign national staying under D-8 (Corporate Investment) status must, under Article 25 of the Immigration Act and Article 31 of its Enforcement Decree, apply to the immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay for an extension before the period of stay ends; the maximum period granted at one time is 5 years for investors in foreign-invested companies (item (a)) and 2 years for venture and technology start-ups (items (b) and (c)). A corporate investor must actually be running a foreign-invested company under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act (investment of KRW 100 million or more, ownership of 10% or more of voting shares, etc.), and the review looks at business results such as sales and import/export records, capital impairment, and the representative's personal income and tax records. Weak results can lead to a shorter permitted period or a denial, and a denial comes with a notice stating a departure deadline. Staying beyond the period without an extension permit is punishable under Article 94 of the same Act.

HWANG YUNSANG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICESONGDO · 37.3892° N / 126.6439° E
#D-8 (Corporate Investment) Extension of Stay#Official check#31-2
🌐 D-8 Corporate Investment Visa Extension of Stay
01

Procedure

Procedure

Procedure type
  • Permit Difficulty High

    A procedure that allows a business, activity or stay that the law generally restricts, after review; licenses fall into this type. The authority reviews facility standards, location and consultation with other agencies, and a permit can be refused if the standards are not met.

  1. 01

    Confirm the category and maximum period: Check whether the applicant falls under item (a) (essential professional managing a foreign-invested company), item (b) (founder of a venture company) or item (c) (founder of a technology start-up corporation) of D-8 in Appended Table 1-2 of the Enforcement Decree. Under Appended Table 1 of the Enforcement Rule, the maximum period granted at one time is 5 years for item (a) and 2 years for items (b) and (c).

  2. 02

    Review the financial position in advance: Well before the expiry date, check the sales trend with the VAT tax base certificate and the summary of electronic tax invoices, capital impairment with the financial statements, and personal income with the representative's income certificate. If something falls short, prepare materials explaining business results, such as ongoing contracts or orders.

  3. 03

    Organize proof of residence and business premises: Prove the place of stay with a lease or an accommodation provision confirmation, and the business premises with a lease for an independent office and rent transfers from the corporate account. If the applicant has moved, also confirm that the change of address was reported within 15 days of moving in.

  4. 04

    Prepare the statutory attachments: Under Appended Table 5-2 of the Enforcement Rule, item (a) applicants submit the business registration certificate (for a corporation, the certificate of all registered matters), proof of personal tax payment or VAT tax base documents, and a certificate of business results (import/export results), and employees who are not investors add a certificate of employment. Items (b) and (c) submit proof of business results and a tax payment certificate.

  5. 05

    File the extension application: Before the period of stay ends, submit the integrated application form with the passport, alien registration card and attachments to the immigration office with jurisdiction over the place of stay by visit reservation, or through HiKorea e-application. Some offices also require a D-8/D-9 (Trade Management) extension acknowledgment (pledge).

  6. 06

    Check the result and handle family members: If approved, the new period is written on the alien registration card; if denied, the applicant receives a notice with a departure deadline within 14 days of issuance. A spouse or minor children staying under F-3 (Dependent Family) have their period set to match the principal's, so apply for their extension in line with the principal's result.

02

Filing route

Filing route

Immigration office, immigration branch office or sub-office with jurisdiction over the place of stay (HiKorea visit reservation or e-application)

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyCompetent Immigration Office
Statutory and policy authorityCompetent Korean authority or official service
Online routeHiKorea
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 8

Applying with almost no sales or with impaired capital can result in a short permitted period or a denial with a departure deadline, so review the financial statements and tax records before the expiry date.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.