D-7 Dispatch Visa Korea: Requirements, Documents and Processing Time

D-7 Dispatch Visa — Which visa do you need to send an employee from an overseas head office to a Korean branch? When an employee with at least one year of service at a foreign head office or branch is dispatched as essential professional personnel to an affiliated company, subsidiary, branch or office in Korea, the D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) requirements apply. Activity at a Korean company that has become a foreign-invested company through investment is reviewed under D-8-1 instead; the D-7 definition excludes persons who qualify for D-8.

1. Overview

The D-7 Dispatch visa is issued to employees of a foreign company who are dispatched to work at a Korean subsidiary, branch, or affiliated company. It allows the holder to legally work in Korea under the direction of the dispatching foreign company, while employed at a Korean legal entity.

Under D-7, a stay of up to 3 years can be granted per grant (renewable, with no overall time limit on total stay). The one-year service requirement is not applied in some cases, such as work in national key industries or national projects. Requirements differ by dispatch format, and approval depends on review by the competent Immigration Office.

2. Dispatch Types: D-7 and D-8-1

Type	Description
D-7: activity at a foreign company’s Korean branch, etc.	A person with at least 1 year of service at the head office, branch or other site of a foreign public body, organization or company, dispatched as essential professional personnel to its affiliated company, subsidiary, branch or office in Korea (persons qualifying for D-8 are excluded). Period of stay per grant: up to 3 years (renewable).
D-7: overseas-expansion company personnel at the Korean head office	A person with at least 1 year of service at an overseas local subsidiary or branch set up by a listed company or public institution, dispatched to its head office in Korea (excluded where the head office’s investment or operating fund in that overseas entity is below USD 500,000). Period of stay per grant: up to 3 years (renewable).
D-8-1: foreign-invested company	Essential professional personnel (excluding persons recruited in Korea) of a Korean corporation that is a foreign-invested company (completed corporations only); investment of KRW 100 million or more and other conditions apply. Maximum period of stay at one time: 5 years.

3. Eligibility Requirements

Must be employed by the dispatching foreign company for at least 1 year prior to dispatch
A valid dispatch relationship must exist between the foreign company and the Korean entity
The Korean entity (subsidiary, branch, or affiliated company) must be legally registered and actively operating in Korea
Applicant must hold a position as a manager, executive, or specialist with relevant qualifications

4. Required Documents

Category	Documents	Notes
Common	Application form, passport, standard-size photo (3.5×4.5 cm), fee	Standard-size photo
Employment	Employment certificate from foreign company, dispatch order letter	Must confirm 1+ year tenure
Korean Entity	Korean business registration certificate, corporate registry	Issued within 3 months
Relationship	Proof that the Korean branch or liaison office was set up (copy of the branch or liaison-office establishment permit or notification receipt); for a transfer within the same corporate group, proof of the group relationship (e.g. corporate registry)
Operation & qualification	Proof that the branch or liaison office is operating normally (business-capital inflow record; for a new branch, an operating plan and tax record), and the applicant’s resume or career certificate showing essential professional personnel status	The reviewing office may add or omit documents

The exact document list varies by sub-type and individual circumstances. Contact us for a case-specific document checklist.

5. Application Process

Consultation and eligibility assessment
Document preparation with case-by-case guidance
Korean entity confirms sponsorship and prepares supporting documents
Apply for Certificate of Visa Issuance (CVI) at Korean Immigration Office
Once CVI is issued, apply for the D-7 visa at the Korean embassy/consulate in your home country
Enter Korea and register as a foreigner (ARC) within 90 days of entry

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which visa do I need to send an employee from an overseas head office to a Korean branch?

A. When an employee with at least one year of service at a foreign head office or branch is dispatched as essential professional personnel to an affiliated company, subsidiary, branch or office in Korea, the D-7 (Intra-Company Transfer) requirements apply. Activity at a Korean company that has become a foreign-invested company through investment is reviewed under D-8-1 (investment of KRW 100 million or more, etc.). Requirements differ by dispatch format, so check with the competent Immigration Office before filing.

Q. Is a “dispatch visa” different from a D-7 visa?

A. “Dispatch visa” is a practical term, not an official status name. An employee sent from a head office is reviewed under D-7 or under the D-8-1 activity requirements, depending on the form of the receiving entity. Executive dispatch is reviewed in the same framework.

Q. How long does the D-7 visa review take?

A. Review time depends on the competent Immigration Office. There is no fixed processing period in days, so check with the office when you apply. A new branch submits an operating plan and tax record, and attached documents may be added or omitted if the reviewing office considers it necessary.

Q. Can my family accompany me on a D-7 visa?

A. Yes. Your spouse and minor children can enter Korea on an F-3 dependent visa while you hold a D-7 visa.

Q. In which languages is consultation available?

A. VISAS KOREA provides consultation in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese via KakaoTalk, WeChat, LINE, and WhatsApp.

Q. What if my application is rejected?

A. We will analyze the reason for rejection, advise on supplementary documents, and assist with re-application or administrative appeal. Every case is different — contact us for a tailored strategy.