If my D-8 company's sales or investment decrease, can I not extend my visa?

A drop in sales or investment does not lead to an automatic rejection of your extension. However, the permitted period may be shorter, or your extension may be restricted if your business is seen as poorly managed.

What the review actually checks

• A company with an investment of 300,000,000 KRW or more that has operated normally for 2 years or more can receive up to 5 years at a time.
• If you have continuously employed at least 1 Korean citizen for more than 6 months, or paid 100,000,000 KRW or more in personal income tax last year, you can also get up to 5 years.
• Small investors with less than 300,000,000 KRW are, in principle, extended for up to 1 year. Sales and tax payment records (VAT and income tax) are reviewed together, and you may get up to 2 years.
• Extensions can be restricted if there is no tax payment record for some time after business registration, or if business results are weak or the business is poorly managed.
• If the operation looks suspicious, they decide after a field investigation (실태조사). They also check whether you have ever taken the investment money back out.

Documents to prepare for the extension (for corporate investment D-8-1)

• Basic documents (application form, passport, registration card)
• Dispatch order or employment certificate: only for employees and officers who are not the investor themselves
• Certified copy of corporate registration
• Personal tax payment certificate or VAT taxable standard certificate: get these from the tax office or Hometax
• Certificate of business results (import/export results)

D-8 has no extension fee. You can apply from 4 months before expiry until the expiry date, at the immigration office that covers your area of residence.

💡 If your sales have dropped

It helps to submit documents that explain the reason for the drop. For example, contracts, a future business plan, and records of employment and tax payments. If your investment falls below the foreign investment standard (usually 100,000,000 KRW or more), even your foreign-invested company registration can become a problem. In this case, get a consultation with the K-VISA AI administrative agent (the app's visa service).

Check the exact standards once more at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or 1345.