In short
- Small shop / sole trader: if you hold an F-visa (F-2/4/5/6) you can register a sole proprietorship (사업자) easily. Tourists/most D-visas can't.
- Tech startup, no big capital: the OASIS program routes you through the D-10-2 (startup prep) → D-8-4 (startup) visas — English-friendly, government-run.
- Investor company: the D-8 investor visa needs a real ₩100 million (~$70–90k) FDI investment into your Korean company.
- Everything runs in a strict order — lease → business registration → filings → visa. A delay at one step cascades.
Korea actively courts foreign founders — fast digital admin, strong infrastructure, and dedicated startup programs. But it's a structured, regulated process, and your route depends on your visa and how much capital you're investing. Here's the map.
Pick your path
| Situation | Route |
|---|---|
| You have an F-visa and want a shop/cafe/small business | Sole proprietor (사업자) — register at the tax office with ARC + lease. Simplest. (Some use D-9-4/9-5 sole-proprietor business visas if they don't hold an F-visa.) |
| You have a tech/scalable idea but limited capital | OASIS → D-10-2 → D-8-4 startup visa track (points-based, no ₩100M needed). |
| You'll invest capital and run a company | D-8 investor visa — incorporate + invest ₩100M as FDI first. |
| You're testing the market | Branch/liaison office, or an EOR (employer of record) to hire without a full entity. |
The sole-proprietor route (easiest)
Best for F-visa holders (F-2/4/5/6) opening a small business or freelancing:
- Take your ARC + a lease agreement to the district tax office (세무서) or register on Hometax. Home address works with landlord permission.
- Get your business registration certificate — often same day. Online sellers also file a 통신판매업 (e-commerce) report.
- Tax: profits taxed on your personal return (progressive 6–45%, filed by May 31), 10% VAT (simplified rates if under ₩104M), and self-paid social insurance. See freelancing and tax.
- Unlimited liability: your personal assets aren't separated from the business — a key drawback vs a corporation.
The startup-visa route: OASIS (no big capital)
OASIS (Overall Assistance for Start-up Immigration System) is a government program of English-language classes, mentoring and incubation that also unlocks a two-step visa:
- D-10-2 (startup prep): lets you attend OASIS classes and register your company; up to ~2 years (6 months + renewals).
- D-8-4 (startup/entrepreneur): for founders of a (usually tech/IP-based) company; typically needs a bachelor's degree + intellectual-property rights or equivalent, points-based. Renewable while the business does well.
- Apply from inside Korea; Global Startup Centers exist in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju and more. Budget a rough ₩5M+ for visa/IP/office/accountant costs.
- Increasingly popular as an alternative to the high-income digital-nomad visa.
The investor route: D-8 + ₩100M
For founders investing real capital to own and run a Korean company:
1. Choose an entity
Usually Yuhan Hoesa (LLC) for small/flexible or Jusik Hoesa (JSC) for funded/scalable. A subsidiary (not a branch) is required for D-8.
2. File Foreign Investment Declaration
At a designated foreign-exchange bank before moving capital, then wire the ₩100M as registered FDI (via KOTRA). Keep a clean paper trail — AML documentation gaps are the #1 rejection cause.
3. Incorporate
Register a unique company name, create the corporate seal (도장), and register with the court and the NTS. A valid physical office lease is required (NTS audits virtual addresses).
4. Corporate bank account
Full KYC review — allow 2–4 weeks. One of the slowest steps; start early.
5. Apply for the D-8 visa
After you have the business registration certificate + capital deposited. D-8 lets you sponsor family (F-3). Notify immigration within 30 days if the business closes.
Whole process typically 3–6 weeks once documents are ready. The ₩100M is capital in your company, not a fee.
Ongoing obligations
- Taxes: corporate income tax (progressive), 10% VAT filings, payroll withholding if you hire.
- Social insurance: register employees for the 4 major insurances (see tax & insurance) regardless of nationality.
- Licenses: many activities (food, e-commerce, etc.) need sector permits — depends on activity, not company size.
- Bookkeeping & annual filings to stay in good standing; a local accountant is standard.
Free help worth using
- Seoul Global Center — free consultations for foreign entrepreneurs (business, visa, tax).
- KOTRA / Invest KOREA — FDI guidance and incentives (Free Economic Zones offer tax breaks/grants for qualifying projects).
- KISED / Global Startup Centers — OASIS classes and incubation.
Common questions
Can I start a business on a tourist or student visa?
No. You need an F-visa, a D-8 investor/startup visa, or a sole-proprietor business visa (D-9). Registering without a qualifying status requires an agent/lawyer or a status change.
Do I really need ₩100 million?
Only for the D-8 investor visa. The OASIS/D-8-4 startup track is points-based with no ₩100M requirement, and F-visa holders can register a sole proprietorship with none.
Sole proprietor or corporation?
Sole proprietor is simplest but has unlimited liability; a corporation limits liability and suits scaling/investment but costs more to run. Above ~₩50–60M profit, a corporation is often more tax-efficient — ask a 세무사.
How long does incorporation take?
Roughly 3–6 weeks with documents ready; banking and FDI/AML checks are the usual bottlenecks.
Sources: Korea Immigration Service / Ministry of Justice (D-8, D-8-4, D-10-2, D-9 visas), OASIS/KISED, KOTRA/Invest KOREA (FDI, ₩100M), National Tax Service (사업자, VAT, corporate tax), and 2026 company-formation guides. Figures indicative.
Last verified: July 2026. Visa, capital and FDI rules change and vary by case — confirm with immigration, the Korea Visa Portal, Seoul Global Center and a licensed professional. General information, not legal, tax or immigration advice.
Starting something here?
Ask other founders about OASIS, incorporation, or the sole-proprietor route — post in the community and tag it Jobs.