Seoul expands OASIS modules for 60 points toward South Korea D-8-4 visas

How the OASIS expansion works

Seoul has broadened its OASIS startup visa support to give foreign founders more practical training, points credit and administrative help on the path to D-8-4 startup visas and the related D-10-2 Startup Preparation Visa, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said. Two Seoul-specific programs now sit on top of the national framework run jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The additions cover hands-on classes in Korean taxation, accounting, legal compliance and business culture, plus structured pitch events that connect foreign founders with local investors. The Seoul Global Center, which delivers the programs, now runs eight of the nine national OASIS modules, the most of any center in Korea.

Course completion still drives the visa math. OASIS certificates can contribute roughly 60 to 65 points toward the D-8-4 scoring system, which requires a minimum of 80 points and at least one essential item such as a bachelor's degree or a ministry recommendation.

Who the program is built for

OASIS is aimed at non-Korean founders building technology or innovation-driven companies, not tourists looking to extend a stay. The expanded Seoul track targets three groups in particular:

• Expats already in Seoul who want to move from employment or study into entrepreneurship
• Digital nomads willing to incorporate a Korean entity and shift onto a founder residency track
• International students and recent graduates who'd rather launch a venture than leave after their studies

B-1 and B-2 visitors can sometimes change status inside Korea, but only by committing to the full process: OASIS training, company formation and a visa application.

What founders need to do

The standard route runs in three steps: complete OASIS coursework and collect the certificates, apply for the D-10-2 to incorporate and prepare the business, then file for the D-8-4 once the Korean corporation is registered and the points threshold is met.

OASIS classes are free, run in person at the Seoul Global Center and require at least 80% attendance to earn a certificate. Cohorts open on fixed windows, with a recent national call running May 1 to 30 followed by a three-day education block in June. Founders are commonly expected to show capital of around 50 million won through savings, grants or investment, with priority given to AI, fintech, biotech and smart city ventures.

Read our full South Korea guide for the complete picture on visa updates.