Technology Start-up Visa (D-8-4) & OASIS start-up immigration programme
Turn a patent or tech idea into your own Korean company and the visa to run it.
Record checked Oct 27, 2026 · official source not yet confirmed by our automated check
Summary
Korea's start-up visa for foreign founders with intellectual property or equivalent technology: instead of a capital investment, applicants need a degree, 60 of 300 points on the OASIS points system and a Korean corporation they have set up themselves. OASIS courses (IP, incorporation, start-up training) run by government-designated Global Startup Immigration Centers earn points.
Dream spread
Turn a patent or tech idea into your own Korean company and the visa to run it.
Relocation reality check
No grant money. You must personally establish a Korean corporation and complete company and business registration before getting the visa, and score 60/300 points — the mandatory items are hard (registered patent/utility model/design, joint inventor status, a government start-up support award or OASIS-6/9, 3+ years as an E-1/E-3 professor/researcher, or ₩100M+ of VC/accelerator investment). Points for jointly held items are split. Renewal depends on the business actually operating.
Your fit signals
The real program is below — the 0–100 scoring is a paid feature.
Full match score — Solo / Household
The 0–100 move-match score, quality score, and would-stay breakdown — with confidence and full reasoning — unlock on Solo and Household.
See Solo & Household plansCheck: Family members not covered
Dependants are not included in this program — each family member needs their own route.
Reality engine
Four lenses on whether this move fits you — tap a panel to see the logic behind each signal.
Eligibility
Founders of a Korean corporation who hold IP or equivalent technology and (1) a Korean associate degree or higher, (2) a foreign bachelor's degree or higher, or (3) a recommendation from the head of a relevant central ministry (any education); at least 60 of 300 OASIS points including at least one mandatory item.
Conditions
The program's rules on record, blockers first. Confirm each on the official source.
Family members not covered
CautionDependants are not included in this program — each family member needs their own route.
The long game
If South Korea becomes home, here is the road from first visa to a second passport.
South Korea · residency → PR → citizenship
Curated- Y0ArriveYear zero
Costs & money
The amounts & terms on record from the official source. USD figures are estimates.
- Property purchase
- Not required
No amounts on record. Check the official source.
True cost to move
Upfront cash, reimbursements, and net position after approval — not headline incentive amounts.
- Flights & logistics$1,200
- Temporary housing (90 days)$2,400
- Deposit / first month rent$2,000
- Visa & consular fees$500
- Health insurance$600
- Legal & translation$400
- Setup costs$800
Application roadmap
A practical sequence — adjust for your consulate and timeline.
1. Confirm official eligibility
Read the primary government source.
2. Gather income & employment proof
Bank statements, contracts, or tax records.
3. Book consulate / immigration appointment
Slots vary by country and season.
4. Prepare health coverage
Meet minimum coverage rules before arrival.
Meet people before you go
Existing communities already talking about life in 🇰🇷 South Korea. Lurk, ask, make a friend — before the flight.
Source trail
We could not fully confirm the key figures against the official source. Check it yourself before relying on them.
“점수제에 따라 총 300점 중 60점 이상의 점수를 득점하였을 것 … 신청자 본인이 대한민국 법인을 직접 설립하고 법인등기 및 사업자등록을 완료하였을 것 [Must score 60+ of 300 points and personally establish a Korean corporation with registration completed] (MOJ, 창업이민 인재양성 프로그램 개요, points criteria in force from 1 Jan 2025)”
Primary official sourceLast checked Oct 27, 2026
Rule changes
CasaSedora last checked the official source on 14 Nov 2026. Changes appear here once two independent automated checks agree on them, or a person confirms them.
No rule changes recorded since monitoring began.
Our summaries point you to what moved — always confirm details on the official source.