KOTRA Support
Established in 1962, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is a state-funded trade and investment promotion organization operated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).
Bridging Global Startups & Korean Trade
KOTRA is the primary bridge connecting South Korea's economy with the global market. For foreign founders, KOTRA plays a vital role by administering foreign direct investment (FDI) protocols, hosting specialized global incubation centers, and helping foreign-invested companies establish compliant, legal footprints in South Korea.
Key Programs for Foreign Founders
Invest Korea Plaza (IKP) Incubator
Located in Seoul, IKP is Korea's first premium business incubation center designed for foreign investors. It provides fully furnished, highly subsidized office spaces, administrative assistance, and direct, on-site access to legal, tax, and customs consultants to simplify incorporation.
D-8-4 Startup Visa & OASIS Points
KOTRA is an official agency supporting the points-based D-8-4 Startup Visa. It coordinates and facilitates the OASIS (Overall Architecture for Startups of Immigration System) training tracks, helping foreign entrepreneurs accumulate the required 60 points (out of 300: 180 from prerequisite items, 120 from elective items) through training, IP applications, and corporate registration.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Declarations
Foreign corporations that invest ₩100 Million or more in a Korean startup must file an official FDI declaration under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. KOTRA manages the Invest Korea portal, serving as the official registry for processing these FDI declarations, which allows foreign partners to legally secure corporate investor D-8 visas.
KOTRA Global Network Scope
- Foreign Investor Support: Rent subsidies, legal counsel, visa consulting, and incorporation services.
- Global Expansion: Matching domestic startups with international distributors and venture capitalists.
- OASIS Points Integration: Intellectual property registration guides and points validation.
- FDI Registration: Legal declaration processing and validation under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.
Source Snapshot
EastStartup Value-Add
Navigating South Korea's D-8-4 Startup Visa and FDI regulations requires precise legal compliance. EastStartup integrates KOTRA's OASIS point schedules directly into our interactive Visa Simulator so you can check your eligibility in real time.