What is a D-7 Dispatch Visa?
When a foreign company sends dispatched personnel to Korea, the process is usually carried out through the issuance of a D-8 or D-7 visa. Both visas are related to dispatching employees, but the type of visa differs depending on the dispatching company. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly confirm the visa type from the beginning and proceed accordingly. Today, i am posting about the D-7 visa. As there are many global and multinational corporations, the need for the dispatch of dispatched employees between countries is common. The type of dispatched employee visa for foreigners depends on whether the headquarters is located domestically or abroad. If the company is not a domestic head office, branch office, or independent corporation, then you must obtain a foreign employment visa through direct employment. The representative visa for direct employment is the E-7 (specific activities) visa, which typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher for application. Bachelor's degree holders must have at least one year of work experience, master's degree holders are exempt from work experience requirements, and those without a degree or working in a field unrelated to their major must have at least five years of work experience.
D-7 Dispatch Visa Requirements
The D-7 visa is issued to essential professional personnel dispatched from a foreign public institution, group, or company's headquarters, branch, or other business offices to an affiliated company, subsidiary, or branch in Korea, who have worked for at least one year.
This does not apply to those eligible for the Corporate Investment (D-8) visa. Also, the one-year work experience requirement does not apply to essential professional personnel dispatched to domestic branches of foreign companies with a business capital introduction performance of more than $500,000 or those engaged in national long-term industries or national projects.
D-7 Dispatch Visa Procedure
The D-7 visa is a visa issuance confirmation subject, and you must obtain a visa issuance approval number from the Ministry of Justice by preparing certain required documents depending on the form of the foreign head office or domestic head office. Once the visa approval number is issued, you must visit the Korean consulate in the host country to apply for a visa.
The period granted for dispatch visa varies depending on the form of dispatch. The maximum period is three years. A suitable stay period will be granted after a comprehensive review of the employment contract period, dispatch period, etc., within the range of three years. A dispatch visa is one of the medium to long-term visas, and a foreigner registration card must be issued within 90 days of entry. It usually takes about two weeks for the visa to be issued without any problems or supplementary documents.
D-7 Dispatch Visa Types
1. Dispatching dispatched employees from a foreign company to a Korean branch
D-7 visa applications are possible for essential professional personnel, such as employees at the level of a manager or above, dispatched to Korea by a foreign company with expertise. A one-year local work experience is required for employee dispatch visa issuance. As the dispatched employee comes to Korea to transfer knowledge and skills, the Korean branch must prove that the dispatched employee is an expert in the field.
2. Dispatching dispatched employees from an overseas branch established by a domestic head office to a Korean head office
Even if the dispatched employee is not an executive-level essential professional, a dispatched employee visa application is possible. In this case, a one-year work experience at the overseas branch is also a mandatory requirement. The purpose of transferring knowledge, skills, functions, etc., from the Korean head office to the dispatched employee is possible, and vice versa.
3. Visa issuance for family members of dispatched employees
Family members accompanying a D-7 visa holder must obtain an F-3 visa to enter Korea
Therefore, it is essential to apply for an F-3 visa for the applicant's family simultaneously with the D-7 visa application. When the D-7 visa holder extends their stay, their family members can also extend their stay for the same duration as the applicant.
D-7 Visa Application Required Documents
1. When dispatched from a foreign company to a Korean branch
- Visa issuance confirmation application form
- Passport copy, 1 standard-size photo
- Documents proving the applicant is essential specialized personnel (resume and certificate of career, etc.)
- Certificate of employment from the foreign-based company
- Dispatch order
- Documents proving the establishment of a domestic branch, etc.
- Documents proving the proper operation of the branch or liaison office
- In case of applying through an agent: power of attorney, agent's certificate of employment, agent's ID
2. When dispatched from a foreign branch established by a domestic head office to the Korean head office
- Visa issuance confirmation application form
- Passport copy, 1 standard-size photo
- Invitation letter
- Resume and certificate of career, etc.
- Certificate of acceptance of foreign direct investment report, certificate of acceptance of foreign branch establishment report
- Proof of overseas remittance confirmation
- Certificate of all corporate registry matters or business registration of the foreign branch
- Tax payment certificate of the head office
- In case of applying through an agent: power of attorney, agent's certificate of employment, agent's ID