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OASIS Courses & Point System

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OASIS Courses & Point System

Korea's D-8-4 startup visa application require several prerequisites. OASIS points is one of them.

OASIS (Overall Assistance for Start-up Immigration System) is a points system based on educational background and technical merit.

It's pass or fail, you don't need to rank highly or compete with anyone for the highest score. Just clear the threshold of 60 points.


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The 3 Basic Requirements to Qualify

You must have all of these:


[1] DEGREE

A Bachelor's degree or higher (from a university in Korea or abroad).

Associate degrees only count if it was awarded by a university in Korea.

*A Global Startup Center (GSC) recommendation letter may be used as substitute for the degree, on a case by case basis.


[2] 60 OASIS POINTS or more

60 points is the minimum threshold. You must include at least 1 Mandatory Item (see the list below)


[3] INCORPORATED COMPANY

Legally register your company (법인등기) in Korea.

Note that if you participate in funding challenges like Incheon Foreign Startup-Up Challenge (IFC), you need to incorporate in the city of Incheon.


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Step 1: Mandatory Item (you need at least ONE)

You need at least ONE from this list.


❏ IP-based points

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⚠️ Co-founder note: A patent under one founder's name does not automatically give co-founders points. Only registered co-inventors get the co-invention rate (30 points), not the full sole-ownership rate (60 points).


❏ OASIS-6 (Invention & Startup Exhibition)

30 points. Included in routes like the Incheon Foreign Startup Challenge (IFC)

Incheon Foreign Start-up Challenge (IFC) detail:

  • Applications typically open May - July annually
  • 10 winning teams per year ( Tier 1 → 4 teams. Tier 2 → 6 teams.)
  • Top 4 teams also get up to ₩5,000,000 in funding, the other 6 winning teams will get up to ₩1,000,000 in funding
  • 30 points are awarded per team, not per member. If you are not the sole founder, the team will need to decide how to split the points internally.


❏ OASIS-9 (Commercialization Support)

30 points.


❏ Investment Secured

60 points. Investment funds worth ₩100 million or more Korean won. Must be verified by the Global Startup Center in Korea.


❏ 3+ years on E-1 or E-3 visa

If your previous visa type was E-1 of E-3, and lasted 3 years or more, you may use this to count as a mandatory item.


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Step 2: Optional Items


❏ Education

Bachelor's degree = 0 points (because is this a basic requirement)

Master's degree = 10 points (Korea domestic university & overseas university included)

PhD = 10 points (Korea domestic university & overseas university included)


❏ Korean Language

TOPIK level 5+ or KIIP Stage 5+ = 20 points

TOPIK level 3+ or KIIP Stage 3+ = 10 points

💡 TOPIK certificates expire two years after your result date, while a completed KIIP stage doesn't expire.


❏ Smaller OASIS Modules

OASIS-1, 2,4 = 10 points each

OASIS-5,7,8 = 15 points each

*Note that there are no points awarded for OASIS-3


Frequently Asked Questions


Do I need to complete all nine OASIS courses?

No. 60 points plus one mandatory item is enough. Most people qualify after completing 3 to 5 OASIS modules.


Must I take the OASIS levels in numerical order?

No. OASIS courses are offered on a rolling basis. Generally, fresh applicants are advised to start with OASIS-1 or OASIS-4. While it is not an official requirement to take the courses in numerical order, the approved organizations holding the classes may have additional requirements, such as asking applicants to apply for OASIS-3 only after attaining OASIS-1 and OASIS 2.


If I already hold an F-type visa, do I still need D-8-4?

No. F-2, F-4, F-5, F-6 holders can already register a business directly, and it does not have to be tech-related.

D-8-4 exists for those without that status yet, and the business idea should be tech-related.


Does a visa agency handle patent filing too?

Usually not. Incorporation paperwork is standard for a startup visa consultancy, but patent filing is typically handled by a registered patent attorney (변리사). However, at VizaBridge, we have the industry network to connect you with all required paperwork, such as visa application, incorporation, patent filing, etc. So sign up for our free 1:1 consultation today. We will help you navigate this journey with ease, in English.


Helpful resources

Global Startup Center

Facilities and information are available for foreigner startup founders

website: www.startup-korea.com

phone: 02-3440-7346

address: 165 Yeoksam-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul


Global Start-up Immigration Center

Learn more about the OASIS system

website: oasisvisa.com

email: oasis@kpc.or.kr


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