South KoreaBusiness visa

International trade (D-9) in South Korea

The international trade and business management visa is intended for foreign traders with a Korean trade business code, for technical specialists invited by a company to set up or service imported industrial or shipbuilding equipment, and for entrepreneurs running their own business in Korea after bringing in foreign capital. The application is filed through the inviting Korean organisation at the local immigration office, or directly at a Korean consulate abroad.

Source: Republic of Korea visa portal (visa.go.kr), list of visa types

Who can obtain a D-9 visa

The official visa portal divides the status into four streams — each with its own requirements for the applicant.

Trader (International Trade, D-9-1)

A Trade Business Code is required, assigned by the president of the Korea International Trade Association under the enforcement decree of the foreign trade act.

Industrial machinery technician (D-9-2)

A company purchasing industrial equipment sends or invites a specialist to install, operate or service that equipment.

Shipbuilding supervision specialist (D-9-3)

A specialised company sends a specialist to supervise the building of vessels or the manufacture of industrial facilities ordered by a particular company.

Individual foreign business man (D-9-4)

Runs a business registered under the value added tax act after bringing in a certain amount of foreign capital under the foreign exchange transactions act.
Or runs a business as an individual on behalf of a company that has obtained a foreign investment registration certificate under the foreign investment promotion act.

What it costs

Single-entry visa, stay of up to 90 days	40 USD
Single-entry visa, stay of more than 90 days	60 USD
Double-entry visa (up to two entries)	70 USD
Multiple-entry visa with unlimited entries	90 USD

Documents to gather

For the route through an inviting party in Korea (Confirmation of Visa Issuance) you submit:

Application for a confirmation of visa issuance (form No. 21)
A copy of the passport pages
A colour photograph 3.5x4.5 cm
Documents for the chosen D-9 stream — the trade business code, an invitation from the host company or proof of foreign investment, depending on the sub-category
Where filed through a representative — a power of attorney, proof of the representative's employment at the applicant's organisation and their identity document

How the process runs

The main route for D-9 is an application through the inviting party in Korea, not directly at a consulate.

1
The inviting party files the application at the immigration office
The employer, a partner organisation or the applicant themselves file the application for a confirmation of visa issuance at the immigration office for the place where the inviting organisation is registered.
2
The immigration office considers the application
A visa officer checks the documents and may request further ones depending on the D-9 stream.
3
The applicant receives the confirmation of visa issuance
3 months
The confirmation is valid for 3 months and covers a single issue of the visa.
4
The applicant files the visa application at a Korean embassy or consulate
With the confirmation number or form the applicant approaches the consular section for their place of residence abroad.
5
The visa is issued and the applicant enters Korea
The consul issues the visa and the applicant enters Korea. Where the intended stay exceeds 90 days, you must register as a foreign resident at the immigration office for your place of residence within 90 days of entry.

Timelines and rights

Work

The status covers the trading and management activity for which it was issued. Any other work requires permission for activity outside the status of stay — 120,000 won; changing or adding a place of work costs the same. D-9 holders file details of their employment, and since December 2025 this is done online.

Who you can bring with you

The family enters on a separate family member status.

Spouse and unmarried minor children

They receive Dependent Family (F-3) status: the rule applies to all statuses from Korean Arts and Culture (D-1) to Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7), including International Trade (D-9).

Trips, renewal and the grace period

A change of organisation or of its name must be reported within 15 days. Those running a business themselves file employment details and report changes to them within the same period.

The period of stay is extended at the immigration office for your place of residence; the fee is 60,000 won. A change to another status costs 100,000 won. Permission for activity outside the current status, and a change or addition of a place of work, cost 120,000 won each. Issue or reissue of the alien registration card costs 35,000 won.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	International trade (D-9)	visa for remote workers	Work visa for specialists
Visa term	The period of stay is extended at the immigration office for your place of residence	Around 1 year (one renewal possible); the rules are still taking shape	1-2 years initially, renewable
Work	The status covers the trading and management activity for which it was issued	Remote work only for a foreign employer; local work is prohibited	Work for the sponsor; a change requires approval
Residence	A change of organisation or of its name must be reported within 15 days	Stay within the permitted period; it does not count towards permanent residence	Mainly residence; absences are restricted for permanent residence

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After 5 years of continuous stay in Korea a D-9 holder may apply for permanent resident status F-5. They may also bring parents over on F-1 status.

Route to citizenship

Since 20 December 2018 only holders of permanent residence (F-5) may apply for general naturalisation. It requires 5 years of continuous residence in Korea, income or support from family, and knowledge of the Korean language and customs. The application fee is 300,000 won.

Frequently asked questions about International trade (D-9)

Who can obtain a D-9 visa?

The status covers four streams: a trader with a trade business code from the Korea International Trade Association, a technical specialist installing and servicing industrial equipment, a shipbuilding supervision specialist, and an individual foreign business man running a business in Korea after bringing in foreign capital.

How much does a D-9 visa cost?

A single-entry visa costs 40 US dollars for a stay of up to 90 days and 60 dollars for longer. A double-entry visa costs 70 dollars and a multiple-entry visa with unlimited entries 90 dollars.

Can a D-9 holder bring their family?

A spouse and unmarried minor children receive Dependent Family (F-3) status. That rule applies to all statuses from Korean Arts and Culture (D-1) to Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7), and International Trade (D-9) falls within that range.

How is a D-9 visa renewed and how much does it cost?

The renewal is arranged at the immigration office for your place of residence; the fee is 60,000 won. A change to another status costs 100,000 won, and permission for activity outside the status or for a change of place of work 120,000 won.

How does D-9 differ from the D-8 investor visa?

D-8 is needed in order to establish and head a Korean company as an investor or director. D-9 is intended for traders with a trade business code, technical specialists servicing equipment and individual entrepreneurs — they work within one of the status's four streams, not necessarily as founders of a corporation.

Does a D-9 holder have to register and report a change of job?

For a stay of more than 90 days you must register as a foreign resident at the immigration office for your place of residence within 90 days of entry. A D-9 holder must notify the immigration service of a change of organisation or of its name within 14 days.

Other ways to move to South Korea

Every route in one list — migration programmes: South Korea.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.