Intra-company Transferee (D-7) Visa — Eligibility, Period of Stay, and Documents for Application, Extension, and Change of Status

Visa issuance — Employment at a Korean branch of a foreign company or similar entity

• Visa Application Form (사증발급신청서), passport, one photograph, and fee
• Certificate of employment from the company located abroad and dispatch order
• Copy of the permit to establish a Korean branch or liaison office
• Documents proving the operation of the branch or liaison office, such as records of operating funds introduced and tax payment records
• For a newly established branch or liaison office, an operating plan or similar document
• Documents proving that the applicant is an essential professional, such as a résumé and certificate of work experience

The head of the diplomatic mission abroad may add or omit some of the required documents if deemed necessary for the review.

Visa issuance — Assignment to a Korean head office of an employee of an overseas business

• Visa Application Form (사증발급신청서), copy of passport, one photograph, and fee
• Documents proving that the applicant is an essential professional, such as a résumé and certificate of work experience
• Certificate of All Registered Matters (등기사항전부증명서) for the Korean head office
• Acceptance of the report on overseas direct investment or acceptance of the report on establishment of an overseas branch
• Documents confirming overseas remittances
• Certificate of All Registered Matters for the overseas branch or its business registration certificate
• Certificate of employment at the overseas branch and Certificate of Tax Payment
• Personnel order or dispatch order specifying the dispatch period

The head of the diplomatic mission abroad may add or omit some of the required documents if deemed necessary for the review.

Application for Confirmation of Visa Issuance — Application by an inviting organization in Korea

• Application for Confirmation of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정신청서), passport or copy of passport, and one photograph
• Letter of invitation stating the reason for the invitation
• Documents proving that the applicant is an essential professional, such as a résumé and certificate of work experience
• For the Korean-branch category of a foreign company: certificate of employment from the company located abroad, dispatch order, evidence of establishment of a Korean branch or liaison office, and records of operating funds or business funds introduced
• For the assignment-to-Korean-head-office category: Certificate of All Registered Matters for the head office and documents confirming acceptance of overseas investment or branch-establishment reports, as well as documents confirming overseas remittances
• For the assignment-to-Korean-head-office category: Certificate of All Registered Matters for the overseas branch or its business registration certificate, the head office’s Certificate of Tax Payment, and an order specifying the dispatch period

Apply at an Immigration Office (출입국·외국인관서). If an agent applies, a power of attorney, the agent’s certificate of employment, and the agent’s ID are also required. Documents may be added or omitted depending on the review.

Change of Status of Stay — From Corporate Investment (D-8) to Intra-company Transferee (D-7)

• Application form, passport, Alien Registration Card, one photograph, and fee
• Statement of reasons for application
• Original dispatch order issued by the foreign head office or certificate of scheduled employment
• Copy of the permit to establish a Korean branch or liaison office of the foreign company
• Documents proving that the companies belong to the same corporate group
• The prospective employer’s annual tax payment certificate or documents proving operating funds introduced
• Original office lease agreement
• Information on the foreign nationals currently working at the business

Eligible applicants are D-8 holders who are lawfully staying in Korea, work as essential professionals at a foreign-invested company, and are assigned or transferred to a domestic business establishment of a foreign company in the same corporate group. The general guidance lists the fee for permission to change status of stay as KRW 100,000.

Extension of Period of Stay and Alien Registration

• Application for extension, passport, Alien Registration Card, and fee
• For the category involving work at a Korean branch or similar entity: dispatch order from the foreign head office or certificate of employment, and permit to establish the branch or liaison office
• For the category involving work at a Korean branch or similar entity: evidence of operating funds introduced and proof of the individual’s tax payments
• For the category involving assignment to a Korean head office: certificate of employment and proof of tax payments
• Proof of residence
• For alien registration: application form, original passport, one photograph, fee, business registration certificate, and proof of residence

The general guidance lists the extension fee as KRW 60,000 and the Alien Registration Card issuance fee as KRW 35,000. The excerpt does not provide separate information about the timing of registration or where to apply.

Q. Who is eligible for D-7 status?

This may apply when a professional who has worked for a foreign head office or similar entity is assigned to an affiliated company or branch in Korea. It also includes certain employees of overseas branches who are assigned to the Korean head office.

Q. Do I have to have worked for a foreign company for at least one year?

In general, you must have worked for at least one year. Exceptions described in the manual include employment in key national industries or national projects. The visa manual also lists as an exception professionals assigned to a Korean branch of a foreign company that has introduced at least USD 500,000 in operating funds.

Q. How long can I be granted D-7 status at one time?

The maximum period of stay that may be granted at one time is three years. As a rule, the actual period granted is limited to the validity of your passport.

Q. What documents are required to apply for a D-7 visa?

The required documents depend on whether you will work at a Korean branch of a foreign company or are being assigned from an overseas branch to the Korean head office. Commonly listed documents include an application form, passport and photo, a dispatch order, and documents proving your employment and professional qualifications. Documents proving the establishment and operation of the business may also be required.

Q. Do I need to submit the same documents when extending my period of stay on D-7?

The documents vary by category. For the category involving work at a Korean branch, the listed documents include a dispatch order or certificate of employment, evidence of business establishment and funds introduced, proof of personal tax payments, and proof of residence. For the category involving assignment to the Korean head office, the listed documents include a certificate of employment, proof of tax payments, and proof of residence.

Q. Can I change from D-8 to D-7?

The manual identifies who may be eligible. A D-8 holder working as an essential professional at a foreign-invested company may apply for permission to change status of stay if they are assigned or transferred to a domestic business establishment of a foreign company in the same corporate group.

Q. Do I need permission to change my place of work if I move to a company in the same corporate group?

The manual states that when holders of D-7 through D-9 move within the same corporate group, the change is handled by reporting a change to their alien registration details after submitting the listed documents. These include a dispatch order and documents proving that the companies belong to the same corporate group.

Q. Can I attend school while staying in Korea on D-7?

If you attend an educational institution that provides a regular course of study, and doing so does not interfere with your original purpose of stay, you do not need a separate permission procedure as long as your period of stay remains valid.

Q. Do D-7 holders also have to report their occupation and income?

D-7 is a status of stay for which occupation and annual income must be reported. When applying for alien registration or various permissions related to stay, you must complete the occupation declaration form and the annual income field on the integrated application form.