Business Investment (D-9) Visa — Eligibility, Period of Stay, and Application and Extension Documents
Based on Ministry of Justice manual (2026-09-18) · Translated from the Korean original.
Business Investment (D-9) is a status of stay for people who intend to engage in trade or manage a company in Korea, or to install, operate, or maintain export equipment, or to participate in shipbuilding or the manufacture or supervision of industrial equipment. Depending on the activity and application type, they may apply for a visa or a change of status of stay.
At a glance
Who it is for
- A trader assigned a unique trade code by the president of the Korea International Trade Association (한국무역협회)
- A person dispatched or invited by a company introducing industrial equipment (machinery) to provide technical services for its installation, operation, or maintenance
- Essential professional personnel dispatched to participate in shipbuilding or the manufacture of industrial equipment. This includes executives, senior managers, and professional technicians.
- A person who has at least 60 points out of 160 in total and at least 10 points in the mandatory categories under the trade visa points-based system (D-9-1). The person must also have a business registered in their own name and have no record of violating the Immigration Control Act within 3 years before the application date.
- A foreign individual business owner who meets certain requirements for bringing in foreign capital or foreign investment and has registered a business
- A person granted D-9 status, depending on the form of contract or dispatch, among those visiting for employment under the Agreement between Korea and India on Simplification of Visa Procedures
What you can do
- You may manage a company, engage in trade, and conduct a for-profit business.
- You may install, operate, or maintain export equipment (machinery).
- You may participate in shipbuilding and the manufacture or supervision of industrial equipment.
- You may receive formal education at an elementary, middle, or high school, or at a university, without separate permission during your period of stay, as long as it does not interfere with your original purpose of stay.
- Certain D-9 holders who work as a full-time director or above at a domestic company may apply for permission to engage in activities outside their status of stay under Short-Term Employment (C-4-5) status if they intend to teach at a university for no more than 90 days.
Period of stay
The maximum period of stay that may be granted at one time is 2 years. However, certain single-entry visas issued at the discretion of the head of the diplomatic mission are valid for 1 year or less, and the initial period of stay granted under the D-9-1 points-based system is 1 year.
Applications & documents
Visa issuance
- Visa Application Form (사증발급신청서), passport or a copy of the passport, one photograph, and fee
- Installation, operation, or maintenance of equipment: equipment introduction contract or documents proving the introduction of industrial equipment, and dispatch order
- Shipbuilding or manufacture or supervision of industrial equipment: copy of the contract award and dispatch order
- Copy of the inviting company's business registration certificate (사업자등록증) or full certificate of registered matters for the corporation
- Annual certificate of tax payment
- Individual business owner application: business registration certificate, documents proving the introduction of business funds and use of capital, and documents proving the existence of a place of business
Certain visas issued at the discretion of the head of the diplomatic mission are single-entry visas valid for 1 year or less. The head of the diplomatic mission may request additional documents or waive some documents if necessary for review.
Application for a Certificate of Visa Issuance
- Application for a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정신청서), copy of passport, and one photograph
- Trade visa points-based system application: business registration certificate and copy of the Certificate of Unique Trade Code Assignment (무역업 고유번호부여증)
- Trade visa points-based system application: documents proving the existence of a place of business and supporting the points claimed
- Installation, operation, or maintenance of equipment: letter explaining the reason for the invitation, equipment introduction contract or documents proving the introduction of the equipment, and dispatch order
- Shipbuilding or manufacture or supervision of industrial equipment: letter explaining the reason for the invitation, copy of the contract award, and dispatch order
- Copy of the inviting company's business registration certificate or full certificate of registered matters for the corporation, and annual certificate of tax payment
Under the points-based system, you need at least 60 points out of 160 in total, including at least 10 points in the mandatory categories. If an agent applies on your behalf, also submit a power of attorney, the agent's certificate of employment, and the agent's identification.
Change of status of stay
- Application Form (신청서), passport, one photograph, and fee
- Points-based system application: business registration certificate and copy of the Certificate of Unique Trade Code Assignment, and documents supporting the points claimed
- Equipment or ship-related work application: statement of reasons for changing status of stay, dispatch order or certificate of employment, and equipment introduction contract or shipbuilding contract
- Copy of business registration certificate and certificate of tax payment
- Individual business owner application: business registration certificate, documents proving the introduction and use of business funds, and documents proving the place of business and residence
Additional documents vary depending on the type of application, such as an application by an individual business owner or a points-based system applicant. A change of status of stay for an individual business owner is not available from certain statuses of stay.
Extension of period of stay
- Application Form, passport, Alien Registration Card, and fee
- Business registration certificate and documents proving the existence of a place of business
- Documents proving your residence or place of stay
- D-9-1 points-based system application: documents supporting the points claimed, such as trade performance, employment of Korean nationals, and tax payment record
- Equipment or ship-related work application: dispatch order or certificate of employment, and equipment introduction contract or shipbuilding contract
- Individual business owner application: documents proving normal business operations and tax payments
D-9-1 requires at least 5 points in the mandatory categories. The extension period varies depending on the number of extensions and the score.
Alien registration
- Application Form, original passport, one photograph, and fee
- Business registration certificate
- Documents proving your residence, such as a lease agreement
- For individual business owners, the National Employment Pledge (국민고용예정서약서), if applicable
D-9 holders must also report their occupation and annual income when applying for alien registration and various permissions related to their stay.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How long can I receive for a D-9 period of stay at one time?
The general maximum period of stay granted at one time is 2 years. However, depending on the visa type, it may be limited to 1 year or less. The initial period of stay granted under the D-9-1 points-based system is 1 year.
Q. How many points do I need to apply under the trade visa points-based system (D-9-1)?
The criteria for issuance of a Certificate of Visa Issuance and change of status of stay are at least 60 points out of a total of 160, including at least 10 points in the mandatory categories. You must also meet the requirements of having a business registered in your own name and having no record of violating the Immigration Control Act (출입국관리법) within 3 years before the application date.
Q. How many points do I need to extend my D-9-1 period of stay?
For an extension, you need at least 5 points in the mandatory categories, out of a total of 50 points. The approval criteria by score differ between the first extension and the second and subsequent extensions. You cannot extend your stay if you have no points in the mandatory categories.
Q. Can an individual business owner also obtain a D-9?
The manual provides guidance on visa issuance and change of status of stay for individual business owners who meet certain requirements for bringing in foreign capital or foreign investment. Supporting documents may be required to prove business registration, the introduction and use of business funds, and the existence of a place of business.
Q. What documents are required to apply for a D-9 for equipment installation or shipbuilding work?
For installation, operation, or maintenance of equipment, you need an equipment introduction contract or documents proving the introduction of the equipment, as well as a dispatch order. For shipbuilding or the manufacture or supervision of industrial equipment, you need a copy of the contract award and a dispatch order. Depending on the application procedure, you must also submit documents from the inviting company and a certificate of tax payment.
Q. Can I attend a formal educational institution on a D-9?
You may receive formal education at an elementary, middle, or high school, or at a university, as long as it does not interfere with your original purpose of stay. No separate permission is required as long as you remain within your period of stay.
Q. Can I teach at a university on a D-9?
Certain D-9 holders who work as a full-time director or above at a domestic company and intend to teach at a university for no more than 90 days may apply for permission to engage in activities outside their status of stay. Short-Term Employment (C-4-5) status is specified for this activity.
Q. Do I also need to report my occupation and income when applying for a D-9?
D-9 is a status of stay that permits employment. You must report your occupation and annual income when applying for alien registration and various permissions related to your stay. You must also report any change in occupation.
Q. Are tax documents required when extending my period of stay?
Depending on the type of work, you may submit an individual certificate of tax payment or documents proving business operations and tax payments. Individual business owners may be asked to provide additional documents if their tax payment record is poor or nonexistent.
Watch out for
- As a general rule, the period of stay granted cannot exceed the validity of your passport.
- An extension under D-9-1 requires at least 5 points in the mandatory categories. From the second extension onward, an extension will not be granted if the score is 10 points or lower.
- A change of status of stay for an individual business owner is not available from certain statuses of stay. Before applying, check the restrictions that apply to your current status of stay.
- You must report your occupation and annual income when applying for permission to stay. Any change in occupation must also be reported.
Source
Compiled by AI from the Ministry of Justice "Visa Issuance Guide Manual" and "Residence Guide Manual" (HiKorea notice, in Korean). hikorea.go.kr
This is general guidance; the immigration office makes the final decision. Before applying, check the latest rules on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.