If you study in Korea on a D-2 student visa, you are in a good position to start a company here. Korean degrees count toward the startup visa rules, there are startup programs made only for international students, and the move from student visa to startup visa has some special benefits. This guide explains the usual path from D-2 to the D-10-2 startup preparation visa and then to the D-8-4 startup visa, and lists university programs that can help.
Key facts
| Step | Visa | What it allows | Key rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Study | D-2 (student) | Study; join university and government startup programs | Join OASIS courses, competitions and incubators while you study |
| 2. Prepare | D-10-2 (startup preparation) | Prepare a startup; no commercial operations | Korean associate degree or higher + OASIS course, Korean IP, KSGC recommendation, or OECD IP. 6 months, up to 2 years in total |
| 3. Run your company | D-8-4 (technology startup) | Run your own Korean corporation | Degree + at least 60 OASIS points + Korean corporation. Up to 12 months, renewable |
| Alternative | D-8-4S (Startup Korea Special Visa) | Run your startup | Recommendation from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups after a committee review |
Why studying in Korea helps
- Your degree counts. For D-10-2 and D-8-4, a Korean associate degree is enough, while a foreign degree must be at least a bachelor’s (Global Start-up Immigration Center – Startup VISA (D-8-4)).
- No bank balance proof the first time. People changing from D-2 to D-10-2 for the first time do not have to submit proof of living expenses (Sangmyung University – D-10 change of status notice (PDF)).
- Korean language points. TOPIK or KIIP level 3 gives 10 OASIS points, and level 5 or higher gives 20 points. A master’s degree adds 10 points.
- Special programs. The K-Startup Grand Challenge and several universities run programs only for international students.
Step 1: While you are on D-2
Use your study years to collect the things you will need later. Good actions:
- Take OASIS courses. The Global Startup Center’s OASIS-4 and OASIS-5 courses are open to non-Koreans “legally residing in Korea” who plan technology ventures, and the documents list includes an alien registration card (Global Startup Center – 2026 OASIS Programs). OASIS-4 gives 10 points and OASIS-5 gives 15 points. Remember that an OASIS course only counts for D-10-2 if less than 3 years have passed since you completed it (Sangmyung University – D-10 notice (PDF)).
- File intellectual property. A Korean patent, utility model or design application can qualify you for D-10-2, and IP is a prerequisite item for D-8-4 points.
- Improve your Korean. Get an official TOPIK score before graduation.
- Join a student startup program (see below).
- Find co-founders. KSGC allows Korean co-founders as long as the CEO is foreign (K-Startup Grand Challenge – Grand Challenge page).
A D-2 visa is for study. Before you earn money from a business, check with your university’s international office or the Immigration Contact Center (1345) about what activities your visa allows.
Step 2: Change to D-10-2 (startup preparation)
Who qualifies
According to the immigration notice published by Sangmyung University, you need a Korean associate degree or higher (or a foreign bachelor’s degree or higher) and one of these (Sangmyung University – D-10 notice (PDF)):
- a Korean patent, utility model or design right, registered or applied for;
- at least one OASIS course completed or in progress (completed less than 3 years ago);
- participation in the K-Startup Grand Challenge with a recommendation for a status change;
- intellectual property registered in an OECD country.
Documents
The same notice lists: passport, alien registration card, application form, fee (it listed KRW 100,000 for change of status and KRW 30,000 for the card; check current fees on HiKorea), a technology startup activity plan covering the last 6 months and future plans, proof of residence, your degree certificate (a Korean university degree may be checked through the international student information system), OASIS certificate, IP documents if any, and a tuberculosis certificate if it applies to you. Proof of living expenses is not needed when you change from D-2 to D-10-2 for the first time. Book an appointment at your local immigration office through HiKorea.
Rules on D-10-2
- First stay of 6 months, with extensions up to a maximum of 2 years (Global Start-up Immigration Center – D-10-2 / D-8-4 process).
- It is only for preparing your business. Commercial operations are not allowed.
- Use this time to complete more OASIS courses (for example OASIS-7 incubation and OASIS-8 corporation support, which needs D-10-2 status), set up your corporation and rent an office (Global Start-up Immigration Center – OASIS schedule).
Step 3: Change to D-8-4 (technology startup)
When you have your corporation and enough points, apply to change to D-8-4. You need at least 60 points on the OASIS table, with at least one prerequisite item such as IP, government program selection, or completion of OASIS-6 or OASIS-9 (Global Start-up Immigration Center – Startup VISA points). The Korea Times confirmed the 60-point minimum (out of 300) in October 2026 (The Korea Times – Seoul looks to foreign entrepreneurs).
Documents include your OASIS certificates, corporate registration and business registration certificates, an office lease, IP application documents and a Korean bank statement. The visa is issued for up to 12 months and can be extended while you keep running the business (Global Start-up Immigration Center – Process and documents). For full details, see our D-8-4 and OASIS guide.
Example for a graduate
An Uzbek master’s graduate from a Korean university with TOPIK level 5 has 10 points (master’s) and 20 points (Korean). If he files a Korean design application (prerequisite item, up to 10 points) and completes OASIS-4 (10) and OASIS-5 (15), he reaches 65 points. The center makes the final decision on each item.
Alternative: the Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4S)
If your business is strong but you lack points or IP, consider the D-8-4S. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups recommends founders after a private committee reviews business feasibility, innovation and Korean market potential (Ministry of SMEs and Startups – Startup Korea Special Visa). The Global Startup Center says it focuses “on innovation and business potential rather than academic or technical qualifications” and takes applications on a rolling basis (Global Startup Center – Korea Special Startup Visa).
Startup programs for international students
K-Startup Grand Challenge: International Student Track
New in 2026. Applications ran from July 13 to August 14, 2026, for up to 20 teams, with the program from August to December in the Pangyo area. Rules: pre-startup teams led by international students in Korea; all members must be current students; at least 50% international students; at least one member must be a graduate student or an international student graduating by 2027 (KSGC – International student track). KSGC participation can support a change to D-10-2.
Seoul National University: SNU K-STARTUP LAUNCHPAD
SNU Campus Town ran this program for about 20 international students interested in starting a business in Korea, including students on leave and graduates. It covered the Korean startup ecosystem, OASIS, team building, business plans and pitch decks, with mentoring, Korean-language pitch coaching and 1:1 visa and patent support. The 2026 application period was June 29 to July 15 (SNU Campus Town – 2026 SNU K-STARTUP LAUNCHPAD).
KAIST global entrepreneurship programs
KAIST’s Office of Global Initiative runs the Global Entrepreneurship Summer School (GESS), with a final pitch in Silicon Valley, plus global mentoring and seminar programs for KAIST students (KAIST – Global Entrepreneurship Program). The 2026 GESS was its fifth year, and students were selected through document review, interviews, team presentations and peer evaluation (KAIST News Center – Entrepreneur news).
Seoul campus towns
In 2025, Korea University Campus Town ran a Global Startup Challenge for foreigners living or studying in Seoul (office space, mentoring and networking for top teams). Konkuk University ran a Global Start-up Academy, Kookmin University an international student startup competition, and Kyung Hee University an accelerator for foreigners (Korea JoongAng Daily – Konkuk, Soongsil, Korea University programs). New calls, such as Kookmin’s “2026 Global Startup Challenge” and Kyung Hee’s international “Glofer Startup Hackathon”, appear on the Seoul Campus Town program board.
Universities recognized by the Ministry of Education
In July 2026 the Ministry of Education recognized six universities for employment and startup support for international students. Kyung Hee University and Vision College of Jeonju won grand prizes, and Kangwon National, Kyungbok, Kyungsung and Chungnam National universities won merit prizes. The article also noted 308,838 international students in Korea as of December 2025 (The Korea Times – 6 universities recognized for supporting int’l student jobs, startups).
A sample timeline
- Final year of study: join a student startup program and KSGC student track; take OASIS-4; get TOPIK; file a Korean design or utility model application.
- Graduation: change from D-2 to D-10-2 at immigration (no living-expense proof needed the first time).
- First 6–12 months on D-10-2: OASIS-5, OASIS-7 incubation (minimum 6 months), OASIS-8; incorporate your company; sign an office lease.
- When you reach 60+ points: change to D-8-4 and start trading.
FAQ
Can I join OASIS while I am still a student?
The Global Startup Center’s OASIS courses are open to non-Koreans legally residing in Korea, which includes students. Check each course’s notice.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree if I studied at a Korean college?
No. A Korean associate degree is accepted for D-10-2 and D-8-4. A foreign degree must be at least a bachelor’s.
Do I need to show money in the bank to get D-10-2?
Not if you are changing from D-2 to D-10-2 for the first time, according to the immigration notice. Later, the D-8-4 requires a Korean bank statement.
How long can I stay on D-10-2?
Six months at first, extendable up to 2 years in total.
Can my Korean classmates join my startup?
Yes. In KSGC, Korean co-founders are allowed as long as the CEO is a foreign national. In the student track, at least half of the team must be international students.
Sources
- Global Start-up Immigration Center – Startup VISA (D-8-4) points
- Global Start-up Immigration Center – Process and documents
- Global Start-up Immigration Center – D-10-2 / D-8-4 process (Korean)
- Global Start-up Immigration Center – OASIS schedule
- Sangmyung University – D-10 change of status notice (PDF)
- Ministry of Justice – HiKorea
- Global Startup Center – 2026 OASIS Programs
- Global Startup Center – Korea Special Startup Visa
- Ministry of SMEs and Startups – Startup Korea Special Visa
- The Korea Times – Seoul looks to foreign entrepreneurs (Oct 2026)
- K-Startup Grand Challenge – International student track
- K-Startup Grand Challenge – Grand Challenge page
- SNU Campus Town – 2026 SNU K-STARTUP LAUNCHPAD
- KAIST – Global Entrepreneurship Program
- KAIST News Center – Entrepreneur news
- Korea JoongAng Daily – Konkuk, Soongsil, Korea University support international students
- Seoul Campus Town – Program announcements
- The Korea Times – 6 universities recognized for supporting int’l student jobs, startups