South Korea: Longer Processing Times and Increased Security of D-8 and D-9 Visa Applications
January 16, 2026
Due to recent misuse of D-8 and D-9 visas, it has been observed that D-8 and D-9 visas previously approved by the Korean Immigration Office were denied by Korean consulates abroad, and that consular officials are more closely scrutinizing D-8 and D-9 visa applications, especially in the determination of whether applicants qualify for manager level roles. Therefore, affected employers should expect longer processing times for these visas in the near future, should ensure that their employees’ experience closely matches their application requirements, and should ensure that their salary details are clearly stated in their employment documentation.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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