Today, I will post about the D-9-1 visa.
For international students who have graduated from university with a D-2 visa in Korea, they can apply for various visas depending on their individual qualifications.
If they have good qualifications and a company willing to employ them, they can apply for an E7 visa. If they don't have a company to employ them, they can first apply for a job-seeking visa, D10.
Also, if they have a domestic master's degree or higher and a company willing to employ them as international talents, and if they score 80 or more points on the F-2-7 points-based system, they can apply for F-2-7 directly.
From my experience, the most common path for international students in Korea is D4 → D2 → D10 → E7 → F2.
However, it's already difficult for Korean graduates to find a job, let alone international students. Considering the burden that companies face when employing a foreigner, the employment visa may not be so easy for international students.
So today, I'm posting about the D-9-1 visa for international students who have graduated and have an enterprising mindset of "Let's not struggle with finding a job, let's start a business instead."
D-9-1 VISA (Trade Management Points System) Target
In the case of D-9-1, there are no requirements like the D-8 visa where you need to invest more than 100 million KRW for visa issuance. However, you must have a business registration certificate under your name, registered in the trade business, and you must join the Korea International Trade Association.
Also, you need to score at least 60 points on the following points-based chart to apply.
D-9-1 Visa Points Chart
*Foreigners who have obtained a business (individual) registration certificate, scoring at least 60 points out of a total of 160 points in the trade visa points system, and at least 10 points in mandatory items The initial permit grants a stay of 1 year.
*If the foreigner is a co-representative with another foreigner with the same qualifications, only the divided score, which is the sum of the points divided by the number of foreigners, will be recognized.
*The business registration must be registered as a 'trade business,' and an independent business rental contract under your name is required.
1. New issuance (Visa issuance confirmation and change of stay status)
A. Mandatory items (up to 65 points)
B. Optional items (up to 95 points)
2. Permission for extension of the period of stay
A. Points applied for extension (Total of 50 points)
B. Criteria for extension approval: Those who score 5 or more points in the mandatory items and obtain the corresponding points below. ⇒ Those without mandatory item points will not be granted an extension
Required documents for D-9-1 visa application
① Submit common documents such as visa issuance confirmation application form and passport copy
② Copy of the business registration certificate
③ Copy of Trade Business Unique Numbering Certificate (issued by Korea International Trade Association)
④ Original and copy of the joint business agreement (in case of joint business partners)
⑤ Documents proving the existence of the place of business (lease agreement, etc.)
⑥ Documents proving the points-based criteria
- (Trade performance) Export/import performance certificate issued by the president of the Korea International Trade Association
- (Trade field expertise) Relevant documents such as career certificates, degree certificates, and education completion certificates
- Other documents proving capital, TOPIK score sheet, social integration program completion certificate, etc.