If you are an Egyptian founder planning to start a company in Korea, this page lists the official contacts in Cairo and the trade and tax framework between the two countries. Korea and Egypt have a double tax treaty in force since 1994. The last section explains the practical path to a startup visa and support programs in Korea.
Key contacts
| Contact | Official website |
|---|---|
| Korean mission: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Egypt (Cairo) | https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/eg-ar/index.do (Arabic version); Korean version: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/eg-ko/index.do |
| KOTRA Korea Business Center in Egypt | Cairo: https://www.kotra.or.kr/cairo (pages in Korean) |
The Korean embassy listed above handles visa applications and consular questions for people in Egypt. KOTRA’s Korea Business Center mainly supports trade and investment between Korea and Egypt, so it is a useful contact if your business plan involves importing, exporting or investment.
Trade and tax
Trade agreements
There is no trade agreement in force between Korea and Egypt. The two governments are holding preparatory consultations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) before formal negotiations start. Sources: News report on Korea–Egypt CEPA consultations (22 December 2025, in Korean); Korea FTA portal.
Double tax treaty
A Korea–Egypt double tax treaty is in force: it was signed on 9 December 1992 and entered into force on 5 February 1994. The treaty helps prevent the same income, such as salaries, dividends or royalties, from being taxed twice. Source: Korean government list of tax treaties (조세조약 체결 현황), Public Data Portal, as of 20 July 2026.
Your path to starting a business in Korea
- Startup visa (D-8-4) and OASIS: the usual route for founders from Egypt is the startup visa (D-8-4). It requires a company set up in Korea and a minimum score in the OASIS points system (Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System), which you build through OASIS courses, IP applications or startup competition awards. See our D-8-4 startup visa and OASIS guide.
- K-Startup Grand Challenge: this government accelerator program is open to founders from any country and offers funding, office space and visa support to selected teams. Read the K-Startup Grand Challenge guide.
- Office space and global startup centers: several public centers in Seoul and other cities offer free or low-cost desks to foreign founders, and some of these spaces can also serve as your business address. See free office space for foreign founders in Korea.
- Government support programs: an overview of the main programs open to foreigners, from mentoring to grants, is in our guide to Korean government startup programs for foreign founders.
- Studying in Korea first: if you are, or plan to be, an international student, you can move from a D-2 student visa to the D-8-4 startup visa. See the international student startup guide (D-2 to D-8-4).
- Check visa details with official offices: before you apply, confirm the current document list with the Korean mission in Egypt listed above, as requirements can change.
Sources
- News report on Korea–Egypt CEPA consultations (22 December 2025, in Korean)
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Egypt (Cairo) – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Egypt (Cairo) (Korean version)
- KOTRA Cairo Korea Business Center
- Korea FTA portal – status of Korea’s FTAs (발효/서명/협상 현황)
- Korean government list of tax treaties (재정경제부 조세조약 체결 현황), Public Data Portal, as of 20 July 2026
Latest updates for founders from Egypt
No country-specific updates yet. New programs for founders from Egypt will appear here automatically. Meanwhile, start with our visa guides and government programs.