Startup support schemes

Check two things before starting a business: your residence status and your funding plan.

Check first

1. Whether your status permits running a business — permitted activities differ by status, and running a business on an employment status can be a violation. Always check with 1345 first.
2. Business registration — done at the tax office.
3. Sector licences — restaurants, hairdressing, private academies and others need separate permits or notifications.

Available support

• Startup training and consulting — the Small Enterprise and Market Service, and local startup support centres.
• Small business policy funds — loans if you meet the requirements.
• Local government startup programmes — these vary by area.
• Employment and startup support for marriage migrants — ask at a family centre. See job-support-immigrant.

Many schemes have residence status requirements. Check before applying.

Steps (outline)

1. Confirm with 1345 that your status permits business.
2. Take startup training first — much of it is free.
3. Build a business and funding plan.
4. Register the business at the tax office.
5. Obtain sector licences.
6. Apply for policy funds and support programmes if needed.

Where to go

• 1345 Immigration Contact Centre (residence status)
• 1357 SME integrated call centre
• Small Enterprise and Market Service www.semas.or.kr
• The jobs and economy department of your city or district
• Your nearest family centre (marriage migrants)
• 1577-1366 interpretation

Questions people ask

Can I run a business under someone else's name? Absolutely not. Lending a name is a crime, and tax, debt and legal liability fall on the registered person. Residence status can also be cancelled.

Which statuses allow business? It varies. Check directly with 1345 for your own status. A change of status may be needed.

Can I take training without good Korean? Look for programmes with interpretation through family centres or migrant support organisations. Use 1577-1366 interpretation too.

Someone offered to lend me money. Beware high-interest private lending and illegal loans. For legitimate finance, ask the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency (1397) first. See microfinance.

Take care

Don't believe brokers who say "start a business and you'll get a visa". The requirements are set in law, and false documents lead to prosecution and deportation. 1345 will confirm the facts free of charge.

Related

microfinance · job-support-immigrant · vocational-training · welfare-application

Source

Ministry of SMEs and Startups www.mss.go.kr / As of 2026-08