What documents do foreigners need to register a business?

Foreigners submit the same business registration documents as Korean citizens. You also submit a copy of your Alien Registration Card (or passport)¹.

Basic documents for sole proprietors

1. Business registration application form
2. Copy of the lease contract: if you rent your business place
3. Copy of the permit, registration, or report certificate: if your business type requires a permit. If you do not have the permit yet, submit a copy of the permit application or a business plan.
4. Partnership agreement: if you are joint business owners
5. Statement of source of funds: only for some business types, such as gold bullion (gold bars, etc.) and fuel wholesale/retail
6. Copy of Alien Registration Card (or passport)¹

If you do not usually stay at the business place, or you plan to be abroad for more than 6 months, you must also submit a Tax Agent Designation Report (납세관리인 설정 신고서)¹.

Corporate businesses

Submit the Corporation Establishment Report and Business Registration Application. If you rent your business place, you also need a copy of the lease contract in the corporation's name. You also submit a shareholder (investor) list¹.

How to apply

• Apply within 20 days from the day you start your business. You can apply at the Tax Office (세무서) that covers your business place, or at the National Tax Service (국세청) Hometax¹.
• You can also apply in advance, before you start your business¹.

⚠️ Important

Having a business registration certificate does not give you a status of stay that allows you to run a business. First check whether your status of stay allows profit-making activities. For example, Trade and Management (D-9) is a status that allows company management and profit-making business². When you register as a foreigner with this status, you must submit the business registration certificate³. With a status that generally does not allow profit-making activities, you cannot run a business just by registering it. In this case, you need separate immigration permission, such as a change of status of stay. If you need to change your status, try the K-VISA AI administrative agent consultation (the app's visa service). For final confirmation, check HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Information Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).