Announcement on Application for Startup Korea Special Visa

Announcement on Application for Startup Korea Special Visa clarifies that applications for recommendations are now being accepted on a rolling basis by the Minister of SMEs and Startups. This specialized visa will be issued upon the Ministry’s (MSS) recommendation, following a thorough evaluation of the startup’s feasibility and innovativeness.

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1. Background

To actively attract promising global entrepreneurial talent and foreign startups, Korea is introducing the new Technology and Business Startup Visa (D-8-4(S)). Specifically, the government issues this visa based on recommendations following an evaluation of a startup’s feasibility and innovativeness. Furthermore, the existing Technology and Business Startup Visa (D-8-4) remains in place, with the new D-8-4(S) visa functioning as a complementary option.

2. Features

① Recommendation Letter Issued Based on Evaluation of Startup’s Feasibility and Innovativeness
We are actively minimizing quantitative requirements, such as academic background. A screening committee composed of non-governmental experts will evaluate the startup’s feasibility and innovativeness, based on which the MSS will issue the recommendation letter. Notably, we do not require academic background, OASIS scores, or similar criteria for the applicant (representative).

② Visa Issuance Possible Prior to Establishing an Entity in Korea
Applicants can apply for and receive the visa even before establishing an entity in Korea, provided that they establish the entity within six (6) months of issuance.

③ Can be applied for and issued from overseas (entry visa)
There is no residency requirement for the Special Visa applicants. Therefore, overseas residents can apply for and receive the visa from the Korean embassy overseas.

3. Issuance Process

Step	Item	Submission/Evaluation	Responsible Party
① Application for recommendation	Application form, business plan, etc.	K-Startup Portal, GSC website	Applicant
② Evaluation	Eligibility, feasibility, innovativeness, etc.	Screening Committee	Screening Committee
③ Issuance of recommendation	Via cell phone, text and email	MSS	MSS
④ Visa application	Visit Immigration Service, or overseas embassy	Applicant	Applicant
⑤ Visa issuance	Visa screening	Immigration Service, or overseas embassy	Immigration Service, or overseas embassy

1. Application for Recommendation: Submit an application for recommendation along with a business plan and supporting documents.
2. Evaluation: Applicant’s eligibility and other requirements will be reviewed, and the feasibility and innovativeness of the startup will be assessed to select outstanding companie.
3. Issuance of Recommendation Letter: The selected applicant will be notified and issued a recommendation letter.
4. Visa Application: The applicant must visit the relevant Immigration Service office in Korea or the Korean embassy (or consulate) in their home country to submit the required documents for the visa application, including the recommendation letter.
5. Visa Issuance: The Special Visa will be issued following the screening process.

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4. Qualifications and Exclusions

Eligibility (must meet all of the following requirements)

The applicant must be the Representative of a startup who is not a Korean national. As a general rule, only one representative is eligible to apply. However, up to three co-representatives may apply (each submitting a separate application) if they meet specific criteria related to business operation duration or K-Scouter recommendation. The startup must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Support for Small and Medium Enterprise Establishment Act:

• The entity must have been in operation for seven (7) years or less as of the application date (ten (10) years or less for startups in new industries; see Note 1).
• The entity must qualify as a new industry startup or a technology startup (we exclude businesses in general trade, distribution, food services, etc.).

Exclusion from Eligibility

① Business Type Exclusions

• General entertainment bar business
• Dancing entertainment bar business
• Other business of managing and operating gambling facilities
• Other types of business that are clearly against the economic order and good public morals as prescribed by Ordinance of the MSS

② Ineligibility Due to Defaults or Delinquencies, etc.

• A person (or entity) subject to regulatory measures by a financial institution due to default.
• A person (or entity) in arrears with national or local tax obligations.
• A person (or entity) listed as an employer in arrears with wage payments.
• Any other person (or entity) deemed by the MSS to have a reasonable cause for limiting participation.

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5. Application and Submission

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday, December 3, 2034. Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated on a monthly basis.

Application Method

• Apply online at: https://url.kr/kjs21u

Required Documents

1. Recommendation application form
2. Business plan
3. A copy of passport or alien registration certificate
4. A copy of corporate registration certificate or business registration certificate
5. Co-representative verification document issued by the K-Scouter (if necessary)
6. Consent to provision, use and collection of personal information

* These documents are required solely for the Special Visa recommendation evaluation. All additional documents necessary for the visa application must be submitted separately.

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6. Evaluation and Recommendation

Evaluation Method

1. Review Requirements: An assessment will be conducted to review eligibility, redundancy of the business plan, authenticity of the submissions, etc.
2. Evaluation of Presentation: The applicant must attend the screening committee session in person or via online video conference to present the feasibility, innovativeness, and growth potential of the proposed business item.
   • Format: 10-minute presentation / 5-minute Q&A session.
   • Presentation schedule will be communicated separately.
3. Final Selection: The screening committee will make the final selection by conducting a comprehensive review of the business plan and the results of the presentation evaluation.

Evaluation Metrics

A comprehensive evaluation will be conducted based on:

• Startup’s Feasibility
• Innovativeness
• Growth potential
• Capabilities of the startup team
• Potential for successful entry into Korea
• Contribution to the domestic economy

Evaluation index	Description	Points
1. Problem recognition	Background and necessity of business items; Current status and analysis of target market (customer) for business items	10
2. Feasibility and Differentiation	Status of business item development (level of preparation); Realization and advancement of business items; Differentiation and competitiveness of business items	20
3. Growth strategy	Startup business operation performance (revenue, investment, customer size, etc.); Business item growth strategy; Promotion schedule and fund management plan	30
4. Corporate Structure (Team)	Formation of the startup team and its capabilities; Team development and sustainability	20
5. Possibility of entering the Korean market	Korean market analysis and entry strategy; Plan for establishing a corporation and relocating headquarters in Korea; Contribution to the Korean economy	20

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Download the Document

• Application form
• Business plan form
• Consent to provision, use and collection of personal information form
• Annoucement of application

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Note: New Industry Startups

• (Pre-Startup – Within 7 years of establishment): Technology- or service-based startups are eligible to apply, regardless of sector.
• (7 years to 10 years since establishment): Startups are eligible to apply if they operate in one of the designated new industry startup sectors.

New Industry Startup Sectors
① Artificial intelligence	⑩ Autonomous vehicles	⑲ Smart home
② Big data	⑪ Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles	⑳ Renewable energy
③ 5G+	⑫ Bio	◯21 Secondary battery
④ Blockchain	⑬ Medical device	◯22 Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)
⑤ Service platform	⑭ Functional food	◯23 Resource circulation and energy recycling
⑥ Immersive content	⑮ Drones/personal mobility	◯24 Space
⑦ Intelligent robots	⑯ Next-generation ships	◯25 Next Generation nuclear power generation
⑧ Smart manufacturing	⑰ Disaster/safety	◯26 Quantam
⑨ System semiconductor	⑱ Smart city	◯27 Cybersecurity