South Korea: Startup Korea programme — fast-track for foreign founders

Who it affects

Non-Korean founders considering Korea as a startup base.

Sources

Primary: Invest Korea (KOTRA) ↗

Corroborating: Korea Ministry of Justice ↗

Verified 2026-04-19 · methodology · report a correction

Related changes in South Korea

More recent updates

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Visa & immigration

Global Talent Attraction Initiative — multiple-stream package announced

The Yoon administration announced a Global Talent Attraction Initiative for 2025 covering multiple visa streams — expansion of the Top-Tier Visa, broader F-2-7 points-based eligibility, and proposed 18-month "Global Talent Visa" for individuals with peer-recognised exceptional achievement. Implementation began January 2025; full rollout extends through 2026.

Who it affects: Future foreign-talent applicants across multiple visa categories.

Office of the President of Korea ↗ · Korea Ministry of Justice ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Labour

Minimum hourly wage raised to ₩10,030 for 2025

The Minimum Wage Council raised the minimum hourly wage to ₩10,030 for 2025 (from ₩9,860 in 2024) — the first time the threshold crossed ₩10,000. Continues a multi-year trajectory under both Moon and Yoon administrations.

Who it affects: All low-wage Korean and non-Korean workers.

Korea Ministry of Justice ↗ · Office of the President of Korea ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Sept 2024

In force Visa & immigration

Hi Korea digital-application platform expanded

The Hi Korea online portal expanded in September 2024 to handle most visa-extension and ARC-renewal applications digitally end-to-end, including biometric pre-collection scheduling. In-person immigration-office visits required only for biometrics and specific document verification. Reduces typical extension processing time by 1–3 weeks.

Who it affects: All non-Korean applicants and Korean employers sponsoring foreign workers.

Hi Korea — Korea Immigration Service ↗ · Korea Ministry of Justice ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Sept 2024

In force Visa & immigration

K-Culture Training Visa launched

A specialised training visa for non-Korean trainees in K-pop, beauty, fashion, and cultural-industry training programmes was launched September 2024. Up to 2-year stay with mandatory affiliation with a registered Korean entertainment / training agency. Restricted purpose; cannot transition directly to general employment visas.

Who it affects: Non-Korean cultural-industry trainees (K-pop, drama, beauty industries).

Korea Ministry of Justice ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jul 2024

In force Housing

Chonse (key-money) deposit-protection reforms continued

Following the 2022–2023 chonse-fraud crisis, additional tenant-protection rules were implemented from July 2024 — strengthened landlord disclosure, mandatory deposit-insurance for high-value chonse contracts, and improved Hi Korea-linked verification for non-Korean tenants. Practical effect: more documentation friction at lease signing, but better deposit security.

Who it affects: Tenant-protection updates affecting non-Korean residents using the chonse rental system.

Korea Ministry of Justice ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jun 2024

In force Visa & immigration

Top-Tier Visa for tech founders substantially expanded

The Top-Tier track within the D-10-2 visa was substantially expanded in 2024 — broader institutional eligibility (top-100 universities globally per QS / THE), expanded fields beyond pure software to include biotech and advanced manufacturing, and faster processing through the dedicated KOTRA / Invest Korea pipeline. Part of the Yoon administration's talent-attraction initiative.

Who it affects: Senior tech founders and high-skilled professionals.

Invest Korea (KOTRA) ↗ · Hi Korea — Korea Immigration Service ↗ · verified 2026-04-19