Open a Branch in Korea

One of our experts in company formation in Korea can explain to you the characteristics of a branch in Korea and can assist you through the process of establishing one in this country. 

What are the steps to open a branch office in Korea?

Foreign companies expanding their activities in South Korea through branch offices must complete 3 steps:

1. file a notification on the opening of the branch with a designated foreign exchange bank (or, for certain financial operations, with the Ministry of Economy and Finance);
2. register the branch with the Court Registry;
3. file the application for a business number and tax identification number.

What are the documents required to open a Korean branch?

Here are the documents that need to be filed as part of the branch opening notification:

• the application form;
• a certificate of appointment of a company representative who must be a Korean resident;
• information about the parent company;
• the Articles of Association of the mother company;
• the minutes of a foreign company’s board meeting during which the establishment of the branch and appointment of the local representative were settled;
• information on the types of activities the branch will undertake;
• a certificate of existence of the parent company’s head office in the country of origin (such a certificate is usually issued by the Trade Register in the respective country or the Ministry of External Affairs).

Please pay attention to the fact that all foreign-issued documents must be translated into Korean. They must also be apostilled before submission. Documents from countries outside the Apostille Convention must instead be legalised by a Korean consulate.

Here is also an infographic on this subject:

What are the local address requirements for opening a branch in South Korea?

The branch office must have a registered address in Korea. The chosen address must be a physical place of business as P.O. boxes are not allowed. Instead, foreign companies can opt for a virtual office to meet this requirement.

Are there minimum share capital requirements when opening a Korean branch?

No, the Korean law does not impose a minimum capital for the branch. However, the parent company must provide information about its capital.

What are the management requirements for a branch office in Korea?

A branch must have local management, which can be ensured by a representative agent. This is an important aspect, as the manager must be a Korean resident. There is also the option of transferring a manager from the parent company’s home country, with the mention that the applicable immigration formalities have to be respected.

Are there any licensing requirements when setting up a branch in Korea?

Even if a branch office is bound to undertake the same activities as the foreign enterprise, it must still apply for specific business permits or authorizations, depending on the sector of activity. It is also useful to know that this business form is often used in highly regulated industries, so licensing conditions are usually imposed.

What are the main characteristics of branch offices in Korea for 2026?

According to the Korean legal system, a branch is not considered a separate legal entity. If a foreign company establishes a branch on Korean territory, the branch is considered a foreign company as well. 

We also have a video on how to open a branch:

How are branches taxed in Korea?

In Korea, branch offices are taxed as local enterprises. Here are the main aspects to consider about the corporate tax in Korea:

• it applies at progressive rates ranging from 10% to 25% based on the income generated by a business;
• branch offices may also be subject to a branch profits tax of 20% where the tax treaty with the head office's country provides for it (the rate may be lower if a double tax agreement is in place);
• the financial year in Korea cannot exceed 12 months, and annual tax returns must be filed within 3 months from the end of the fiscal year;
• branch offices may be granted a one-month extension to this deadline.

How long does it take to register a branch in South Korea in 2026?

Provided all documents are complete, their verification and the issuance of the Registration Certificate take about 2 to 4 weeks to complete. Several more days should be added to the preparation of the incorporation file; however, this can lead to a longer registration time.

How much does it cost to register a branch in South Korea?

There are several fees to pay when registering a branch in Korea, among which is the Court registration fee, which ranges from around USD 75 to USD 200, depending on the capital of the parent company. Tax registration, however, is free of charge.

Then there are also the costs of the preparation of the incorporation papers, which depend on the chosen service provider. Our local agents can offer more information on our fees.

Feel free to contact our Korea company registration agents for professional help with the establishment of a branch office in this country.