South Korea

Korea's primary business and startup visa, in operation since 2003. Two main sub-categories matter for international applicants: D-8-1 corporate investment (KRW 100M / ~$75,000 minimum with active management) and D-8-2 OASIS startup track (intellectual property and accelerator-backed founders without large capital deployment). Up to 5 years initial residence, then F-2-7 Residence at year 3 via point system, F-5 Permanent at year 5, naturalization at year 10. For foreign founders entering Korean tech market, K-content/K-beauty/K-food global business, foreign SaaS companies setting up Korean subsidiaries, and OASIS-track IP holders.

South Korea's first proper digital nomad visa, launched January 2024. Up to 2 years in Seoul, Busan, or Jeju with no Korean employer sponsorship needed. The income bar is steep by Asian standards (~$84,000/year, 2× Korean GNI per capita), but Korea's world-class infrastructure, healthcare, safety, and K-tech/K-content ecosystem make it genuinely valuable for senior remote workers who can clear the threshold. For US/UK/EU senior tech professionals attracted to K-tech ecosystem, international partners of Korean nationals, content creators producing K-themed content, and APAC seniors using Korea as East Asian base.