Short answer: A verified Korea business visa processing time cannot be given from these official pages: their preparation schedules and visa validity periods are not approval timelines. Foreign founders who meet the OASIS requirements can pursue the D-8-4 technology startup route, with startup and visa support. For the separate KSGC support program, applications ended on June 17, 2026 at 15:00 KST (closed); that deadline is not an OASIS visa application deadline.
Status as of 2026-11-02: Closed — KSGC 2026 applications. Its Phase 2 program period is September–December 2026.
Key facts
| Visa type | D-8-4 technology startup; OASIS also describes D-10-2 startup preparation. |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Foreigners launching a business in Korea based on ideas and technology. |
| Main requirement | For the D-8-4 route described by OASIS: a qualifying degree or Center letter, at least 60 points including one required item, and corporation establishment. |
| Cost | OASIS classes are free. This is not a quoted visa application fee. |
| Processing time | No verified visa decision estimate is available from the linked pages. |
| Official site | OASIS requirements and programs |
Who can apply
OASIS lists three parts to its startup visa requirements. You need a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree obtained in Korea, or a Global Startup Immigration Center letter. You also need at least 60 points, including at least one item from the required category, and an established corporation.
A patent application is one possible required item, listed at 10 points before any division among joint applicants. It does not meet the 60-point threshold alone. OASIS recommends a specific technology business item and a prototype prepared to some extent for the D-8-4 route.
OASIS describes technology businesses as having items that can be patented. Its trade route supports foreigners who want to sell Korean products overseas. Restaurants, wholesale and retail are excluded from both routes described in its FAQ.
KSGC has separate program conditions. Its CEO or representative founder must have non-Korean citizenship, and all CEOs must be foreign nationals. Korean co-founders and team members may participate. Its eligibility rules allow pre-startup teams without an incorporated company, but the 2026 application period has closed. Phase 3 requires legal entity incorporation and local hiring.
What you get
OASIS provides free classes, mentoring and startup support. OASIS-8 assists with corporation establishment procedures and registration. OASIS does not take equity in a foreign operator.
These services have preparation schedules. The OASIS points example lists one month for a patent application and two weeks for corporation establishment. Those figures must not be added together and presented as visa processing time.
OASIS describes D-10-2 as available for up to two years through four six-month periods. It describes D-8-4 as issued for one year at a time during business operations. These are visa periods, not waiting times for a decision.
KSGC offers D-10-2 support in Phase 2 and D-8-4 support in Phase 3. Phase 2 teams may receive up to KRW 8 million per team: up to KRW 4 million per visit for two visits to designated activities in Korea.
How to apply (step by step)
The following steps cover OASIS preparation and contact. They are not a complete immigration application checklist.
- Identify your longest preparation requirement first. If using OASIS-7 incubation points, graduation is recognized only after six months have passed since moving into incubation. This is an elective item, not a mandatory wait for every applicant.
- Check your qualification and points. Review the OASIS requirements. Identify your degree or Center letter, required points item and corporation establishment requirement before choosing courses.
- Choose the relevant support. OASIS-3 supports eligible intellectual property applications; trademark support is excluded. OASIS-8 supports corporation establishment. Course participation is not itself a visa decision.
- Request a startup consultation. Follow the OASIS contact instructions: email oasis@kpc.or.kr with your business item, current business status, current visa and consultation details. The Center replies with a consultation location and time. Visits require a reservation; OASIS explicitly says it does not provide visa consultations.
FAQ
Does an OASIS certificate expire?
OASIS says its certificate has no separate expiration date, while noting that future policy may change this.
Do joint patent applicants each receive the full points?
For jointly owned intellectual property registration, invention or applications, points are divided equally among joint participants. Intellectual property applications are recognized for up to 10 points regardless of the number of applications.
Must KSGC participants relocate to Korea?
Relocation is not strictly required, but some key events require attendance in person. The program combines online and in-person activities.
Can KSGC teams participate in other programs at the same time?
Yes, provided those programs do not conflict with KSGC schedules or commitments. Teams must remain actively engaged in KSGC activities.