Setup a Liaison Office in Korea: Requirements and Agency Scope
A liaison office is a non-business base for foreign companies. A setup agent helps prepare and review the notification documents; the receiving bank or authority decides acceptance, and results are not guaranteed.
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1. Overview
A liaison office is a non-business base for foreign corporations in Korea, limited to market research, information gathering, and communication with the head office. Established via domestic branch installation notification under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. Sales activities and revenue generation are prohibited.
2. Eligibility Requirements
Staff dispatched by the head office to the liaison office may apply for the Intra-Company Transferee (D-7) status: at least 1 year of work at the foreign head office or branch, and dispatch to the Korean liaison office as essential professional personnel
Persons who fall under Corporate Investor (D-8) are excluded from D-7; the 1-year requirement does not apply to national key industries or national projects
Stay granted per grant: up to 3 years (renewable)
Proof that the liaison office has been set up and is operating normally is required (see Required Documents)
3. Required Documents
Category
Document
Common
Visa application form (Form No. 17), passport, 1 standard photo, fee
Employment
Employment certificate from the overseas company; dispatch order
Office
Proof of installation of the domestic branch or liaison office (copy of the establishment permit)
Operation
Proof of normal operation (business-capital inflow record; for a newly set up office, an operation plan or tax record)
Skills
Proof of essential professional personnel (resume, career certificate)
Specific documents may be added or omitted by the reviewing office, so please confirm per case.
4. Procedure
Consultation and visa eligibility assessment
Case-specific document preparation guidance
Liaison office notification to a designated foreign exchange bank (see 4-1)
Visa Issuance Certificate or direct immigration application
Visa issuance at Korean embassy in home country
Alien registration upon arrival (within 90 days)
4-1. Liaison Office Setup Agency: Scope of Work
Setup agency means helping a foreign head office prepare and submit the notification for a domestic liaison office (an "office" under Article 9-32 of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Regulations). The notification is filed, in principle, with the head of a designated foreign exchange bank (Article 9-33(1)). The notification form (Appendix Form 9-8) is submitted with documents proving the head office's name, location and main business, a copy of any permit required under other laws, and a statement of the work to be carried out in Korea (Article 9-33(3)).
Review whether a liaison office, branch or local corporation fits the planned activities
Prepare and review the notification form and attachments; guidance on head-office documents
Preparation of the bank submission and progress guidance
Acceptance is decided by the receiving bank or authority, and an agent does not guarantee the outcome. A liaison office cannot carry out revenue-generating business, so the agency scope is limited to administrative procedures.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does a liaison office setup agent do?
A. Within an administrative agent's scope of work, the agent reviews whether the planned activities fit a liaison office, prepares and reviews the notification form and attachments, and guides the submission to the designated foreign exchange bank (Foreign Exchange Transactions Regulations Article 9-33). Acceptance is decided by the receiving institution and results are not guaranteed.
Q. Can a liaison office sell or earn revenue in Korea?
A. No. Under Article 9-32(2) of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Regulations, an office performs only non-business functions such as business liaison, market research and R&D, without revenue-generating activity. If sales are needed, a branch or a local corporation should be considered.
Q. Is there a government fee for the liaison office notification?
A. We have not identified a statutory filing fee in Articles 9-32 to 9-37 of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Regulations (please check the current text). Bank charges and the cost of issuing, notarizing or translating home-country documents vary by bank and country, so no amounts are given here. Please confirm any statutory fees with the competent authority and the relevant law.
Q. How long does the process take?
A. Processing time varies depending on the competent Immigration Office.
Q. What are the benefits of using an administrative agent?
A. We provide case-by-case review, document preparation, and immigration accompaniment in 4 languages.
Q. Which languages and channels are available for consultation?
A. Consultation is available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese via KakaoTalk · WeChat · LINE · WhatsApp.
Q. What if my application is denied?
A. Depending on the denial reason, additional documents, appeals, re-applications, or judicial review are possible options. Strategy varies by case — we recommend consultation first.
