What Is the D-8-4 OASIS Visa?
The D-8-4 (Corporate Investment — Technology Startup) visa is South Korea's dedicated visa for foreign entrepreneurs who want to found a tech startup in Korea. What makes it unique among Korean business visas: no minimum capital investment is required. Instead of putting money in, you earn your way in through a points-based assessment of your startup's potential.
The visa is closely tied to Korea's OASIS program (Overseas Advanced Startup Immigration System), a government-run incubator that helps foreign founders navigate company registration, legal setup, and business development in Korea. Completing OASIS earns you 30 bonus points toward your D-8-4 application and is strongly recommended for first-time applicants.
Who Is the D-8-4 For?
The D-8-4 is designed for:
- Foreign entrepreneurs who want to found or co-found a Korean company
- Tech founders in AI, biotech, fintech, deep tech, or other innovation sectors
- Founders who have already participated in Korean government startup programs (K-Startup Grand Challenge, TIPS, OASIS)
- Researchers and academics who want to commercialize technology in Korea
It is not for foreigners who want to invest in an existing Korean company (that's D-8-1) or for those running a non-tech trading or consulting business (D-9).
The Points System: How to Qualify
You need a minimum of 60 points out of 300 to qualify for D-8-4. Points are awarded across these categories:
| Category | Max Points | How to Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Patents & Intellectual Property | 60 | Registered patents in Korea or overseas; utility models |
| Government Program Selection | 60 | TIPS, OASIS, K-Startup Grand Challenge, other government-certified programs |
| Utility Models | 40 | Utility model registrations |
| OASIS Program Completion | 30 | Completing the OASIS incubator program |
| Academic Degree | 20 | Master's degree = 10 pts; PhD = 20 pts |
| Korean Language (TOPIK) | 20 | TOPIK Level 2 = 5 pts; Level 3 = 10 pts; Level 4+ = 20 pts |
| Korea Experience | 20 | Prior Korea work/study experience; Korean university graduation |
| Business Performance | 50 | Revenue, employees, investment raised in Korean company |
Important exception: K-Startup Grand Challenge participants are fully exempt from the points test. If you've been selected for K-Startup Grand Challenge, you qualify for D-8-4 automatically.
What Is the OASIS Program?
The OASIS (Overseas Advanced Startup Immigration System) program, run by the Korea Immigration Service, is a 4–8 week incubator designed specifically for foreign entrepreneurs. It covers:
- Korean company registration process (법인 설립)
- Korean business law and compliance basics
- IP registration in Korea
- Connecting with Korean VCs, accelerators, and government funding programs
- Korean business culture and networking
Completing OASIS earns you 30 points toward your D-8-4 application — enough to cross the 60-point threshold if combined with a Master's degree (20 pts) and TOPIK Level 2 (5 pts) and any Korea experience (up to 20 pts).
OASIS is offered in Seoul (Startup Campus, Pangyo) and runs several cohorts per year. Applications are open to foreign nationals who plan to establish a startup in Korea. Apply at: oasis.go.kr
How to Apply for D-8-4: Step by Step
- Build your points portfolio — compile certificates for patents, program selections, degrees, TOPIK scores, and Korea experience
- Complete OASIS or K-Startup Grand Challenge if you haven't already (adds 30–60 pts)
- Register your Korean company — you need a Korean corporation (법인) or individual business (개인사업자) registered before or simultaneously with the visa application. Many founders use a Korean attorney or 행정사 for this step (cost: ₩500,000–₩1,500,000)
- Apply for D-8-4 at the Korea Immigration Service office or via HiKorea — required documents: passport, points assessment form, company registration, business plan, proof of points (certificates)
- Initial visa duration: 1 year — renewable if the company continues operating
Renewal Requirements
D-8-4 is renewed annually. To renew, you must demonstrate your company is still active:
- Business registration still valid
- At least one of: revenue generated, employees hired, investment raised, or government program continued
- Tax filings submitted (even a zero return counts — shows compliance)
D-8-4 to Permanent Residency
After 3 years on D-8-4 with demonstrated business success (annual revenue ≥ ₩300 million or 3+ full-time Korean employees), you can apply for F-5-16 permanent residency — one of the fastest PR routes for business owners in Korea.
Key Advantages vs. D-8-1 (Corporate Investment)
- D-8-1 requires a minimum ₩100 million capital investment. D-8-4 requires zero capital — just points.
- D-8-4 provides access to Korean government startup programs and funding that D-8-1 holders don't qualify for
- D-8-4 is specifically designed for the Korean startup ecosystem; D-8-1 is for traditional foreign direct investment
Source: Korea Immigration Service OASIS Program, Ministry of SMEs and Startups | Last verified: March 2026
This article is for informational purposes only. Company registration requirements are complex — consult a Korean attorney or immigration specialist.