Can I change from D-8 (Corporate Investment) to another status of stay?

Short answer: Yes, you can. You need to meet the requirements of the status you want to change to, and get permission for a change of status of stay before you start that activity¹. However, approval is decided by an examination.

Basic rules

1. Get permission first. You must start the activity of the new status (work, study, etc.) only after you get permission¹².
2. Changing inside Korea is limited. The general rule is to leave Korea, get a new visa, and enter again. If you can meet the requirements inside Korea, you may be able to change after a strict examination².
3. Where to apply: You or your agent submit documents to the Immigration Office (출입국·외국인관서) that has jurisdiction over your home address².
4. Requirements and documents depend on the status you want to change to. Check the status-by-status guide manual on HiKorea (하이코리아)².

Common examples of change

• If you marry a Korean citizen, you may change to Marriage Migrant (F-6)².
• In general, once you have investment results, some people look into investor-related statuses such as Residence (F-2) or Permanent Residence (F-5). Specific requirements, such as investment amount and number of employees, are different for each status, so you need to check them separately.

Easy to confuse

The 'statuses excluded from change', such as Non-professional Employment (E-9) and Visit and Employment (H-2), are a limit that applies when changing to D-8 from another status. It is different from changing from D-8 to another status³.

⚠️ Things to be careful about

• If you close your company or the registration of your foreign-invested company is cancelled while you are staying in Korea, your permission to stay may be cancelled³. It is safer to keep meeting the current D-8 requirements while you prepare for the change.
• If you start another activity without permission, it may be a violation of your stay.
• For final confirmation, contact HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Helpline (외국인종합안내센터) (1345). If you have already been refused, or your period of stay has passed, we recommend a consultation with the K-VISA AI Administrative Agent (K-VISA AI 행정사) (Visa Service in the app).