Busan Inaugurates Global Start-up Immigration Center to Attract International Founders
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Busan Inaugurates Global Start-up Immigration Center to Attract International Founders
□ On July 20, 2026, at 14:00, Busan Metropolitan City held the opening ceremony for the Busan Global Start-up Immigration Center at the Busan Eurasia Platform.
○ Global Start-up Immigration Centers facilitate the OASIS (Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System) program, featuring entrepreneurship education, mentoring, and complementary services for foreign nationals looking to venture into businesses in Korea.
○ Following a public competition organized by the Ministry of Justice, the Busan Startup Investment Agency was commissioned to serve as the first global start-up immigration center in southeastern Korea.
□ Previously, global start-up immigration centers were concentrated in Seoul. However, beginning last year, institutions in other regions have also been incorporated as part of the government's balanced development policy.
○ There are seven centers nationwide*—four in Seoul and one each in Jeonbuk Province, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Busan. Since May, the Busan Startup Investment Agency has provided prospective overseas entrepreneurs with introductory training and one-on-one consulting.
* Seoul (4): Korea Productivity Center, Seoul Global Center, Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, Korea Management Association Consulting
* Outside Seoul (3): Jeonbuk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, Chungbuk Bio Industry-Academy Convergence Institute, Busan Startup Investment Agency
○ During the second half of the year, Busan will expand its offerings to cover entrepreneurial capacity building, mentorship, incubation, and corporate establishment and commercialization support. Graduates will be able to receive points toward the D-8-4 Technology Startup Visa, as well as referrals to help them launch and stabilize their companies.
□ In conjunction with the activities carried out by the Busan Global Start-up Immigration Center, the city plans to strengthen networks with investors and stakeholders across the ecosystem participating in Fly Asia, with the goal of evolving into a global startup hub.
Busan Startup Investment Agency Website: https://www.bsia.or.kr/
Overview of the Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System and Global Start-up Immigration Centers
□ Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System (OASIS)
○ (Operations) Global Start-up Immigration Centers, authorized by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, conduct the courses assigned to each institution from among the following nine:
Description
Points
OASIS-1
Basic Intellectual Property Education
10
OASIS-2
Advanced Intellectual Property Education
10
OASIS-3
Intellectual Property Application and Prototype Production Support
None
OASIS-4
Entrepreneurship Education
10
OASIS-5
One-on-One Coaching and Mentoring
15
OASIS-6
Invention and Startup Contest
30
OASIS-7
Business Incubation
15
OASIS-8
Corporate Establishment Support
15
OASIS-9
Commercialization Support
30
※ Busan Center Programs
□ Global Start-up Immigration Centers
○ (Introduction) Since 2014, organizations capable of implementing the Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System have been recognized as global start-up immigration centers and have provided training and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs.
○ (Role) The centers administer the OASIS program, grant points under the startup visa points scheme to graduates*, and issue recommendation letters for startup preparation visas.
* Those who earn at least 60 points are eligible to apply for a startup or startup preparation visa.
○ (Designation) The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups select global start-up immigration centers based on evaluations of infrastructure, human resources, performance, budget, and relevant criteria.
○ (Results) A cumulative total of 12,572 OASIS completions* were recorded between 2014 and December 2025.
* Top four courses: OASIS-4: 4,164, OASIS-1: 2,717, OASIS-2: 1,338, OASIS-5: 1,198
Current Global Start-up Immigration Centers
• Seoul (4): Korea Productivity Center, Seoul Global Center, Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, Korea Management Association Consulting (new)
• Outside Seoul (3): Jeonbuk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, Chungbuk Bio Industry-Academy Convergence Institute (new), Busan Startup Investment Agency (new)
