South Korea Startup Visa D-8-4 and D-8-4(S) in 2026

Korea has more than one immigration pathway commonly described as a "startup visa." The two most important founder concepts are the established Technology Startup D-8-4 route and the newer Startup Korea Special Visa D-8-4(S).

They should not be treated as the same eligibility test.

Standard Technology Startup D-8-4

The Ministry of Justice describes several qualifying cases for the standard Technology Startup route. Its public comparison material identifies pathways such as:

  • qualifying education plus the required OASIS points;
  • selection among specified top performers in the K-Startup Grand Challenge; or
  • selection for a qualifying government startup project at the required funding level.

Corporate establishment is part of the route. The exact points, documents and qualifying program evidence must be checked against current immigration guidance.

OASIS

The Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System (OASIS) is operated through designated startup immigration support infrastructure. The Global Startup Center's 2026 program information states that OASIS supports foreign founders working toward the Technology Startup Visa D-8-4 and the Startup Preparation Visa D-10-2.

Completing an OASIS component does not itself equal a visa grant. It contributes to the immigration pathway where the current criteria recognize the points or activity.

Startup Korea Special Visa D-8-4(S)

The special route is designed to assess entrepreneurial innovation and business potential rather than relying only on the standard academic/technical/OASIS structure.

The Ministry of Justice explains a two-stage recommendation concept:

  1. a private evaluation committee reviews business feasibility and innovation; and
  2. the Ministry of SMEs and Startups issues a recommendation for successful applicants.

After recommendation, the foreign founder still applies for the immigration status through the relevant immigration office or Korean diplomatic mission. A recommendation letter is not itself residence permission.

D-8-4(S) does not replace D-8-4

The special visa is an additional founder pathway. It does not erase the standard Technology Startup route or the OASIS ecosystem.

This distinction matters because a founder who does not fit one route may fit another, but the evidence and decision process differ.

Startup preparation D-10-2

Prospective founders who are not yet ready for D-8-4 may encounter D-10-2, the startup-preparation status. Global Startup Center materials explicitly distinguish D-10-2 preparation from D-8-4 startup operation.

Do not treat D-10-2 as permission to operate any business without restriction or as an automatic bridge to D-8-4. A later change of status remains a separate application.

Company formation is only one layer

Korean incorporation, tax registration, startup-program participation and immigration permission are separate. A foreign founder should not assume that registering a Korean corporation automatically creates a D-8-4 status.

For a conventional foreign-investment corporation rather than a technology startup, compare Corporate Investor D-8.

Settlement

D-8 experience can be relevant to longer-term residence under separate F-2/F-5 categories, but D-8-4 is not automatic permanent residence. Review Permanent Residence F-5 for the distinction.

Return to the Korea immigration hub, explore entrepreneur visas, and read the methodology.

Verified against Ministry of Justice and Global Startup Center sources on 20 September 2026.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Korea, Republic of