In Korea, foreign founders must score at least 60 points on the start-up points system, including at least one prerequisite item, to qualify for the D-8-4 Startup Visa. Values follow the Global Start-up Immigration Center’s published matrix; IP-derived points are capped at 60 in total.
Estimate only — not immigration advice. Point values are our reading of published guidance; confirm your case with HiKorea or a licensed 행정사/변호사 before relying on it.
D-8-4 is not the only route. If you trade rather than build, see the D-9-1 trade business visa; if you work remotely for a company outside Korea, see the F-1-D digital nomad visa, which became permanent on 30 June 2026 with an easier income bar and a three-year cap.
You must hold at least 1 prerequisite item. The cheapest routes are a pending patent application (+10) or OASIS-6 / OASIS-9 (+30); a registered patent is worth +60 on its own.
You need 60 more points to reach the D-8-4 passing threshold of 60 points.
OASIS-5 (Start-up Coaching & Mentoring) and OASIS-8 (Corporation Establishment) are +15 each — the highest-value electives, and OASIS-8 is work you have to do anyway to incorporate.
A master's degree or higher scores +10, from a domestic or overseas university. A bachelor's degree does not score.
TOPIK level 3+ (or KIIP level 3+) adds +10; level 5+ adds +20. They do not stack — only the higher band counts.