Virtual Office Business Registration: Case Examples

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Industry

Eligibility

Associations, Repair & Other Personal Services

Notes
  • Nonprofit associations and foundations, academic societies, and hobby or social clubs have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address as their office. Recommended for those running associations based on external or online activities.
  • Labor unions: Registration requires an actual staffed office, so non-resident registration is restricted.
  • Religious organizations: Religious facilities (churches, temples, etc.) require fire-safety inspections and on-site checks, so non-resident registration is not possible.
  • Political & public organizations: For parties/groups requiring election commission registration or specific permits, please first confirm the office requirements with the relevant authority.
  • Industry associations
  • Professional associations
  • Environmental advocacy groups
  • Other civic advocacy groups
  • Other associations & organizations
  • Political organizations
  • Labor unions
  • Buddhist organizations
  • Christian (Protestant) organizations
  • Catholic organizations
  • Ethnic religion organizations
  • Cheondogyo organizations
  • Won-Buddhism organizations
  • Other religious organizations
  • Confucian organizations

Notes
  • This is the most popular type for freelancers and solopreneurs who provide their own knowledge or skills. Since the work can be done without location constraints, the approval rate for business registration based on a non-resident address is very high.
  • Children's school bus drivers: A transport business license under the Passenger Transport Service Act requires a dedicated garage, so non-resident registration is difficult.
  • Car dealership business: To directly run a used-car dealership, a showroom of the legally required size is mandatory, so non-resident registration is difficult.
  • Writers
  • Painters & related artists
  • Composers
  • Actors, talents, etc.
  • Models
  • Singers, vocalists, etc.
  • Solo media content creators
  • Entertainment support services
  • Consulting, supervision, coaching, advisory & proofreading fees
  • Professional Go players
  • Flower-arranging teachers
  • Academy instructors, lecturers, private tutors, pattern makers
  • Professional athletes
  • Insurance planners
  • Beverage delivery workers
  • Door-to-door salespersons (books, study materials, cosmetics, water purifiers, cars, general goods)
  • Other self-employed work
  • Multi-level marketing sponsorship commissions
  • Other recruitment & debt-collection commissions
  • Private caregivers
  • Designated driving service drivers
  • Golf course caddies
  • Bath managers (massagers)
  • Event helpers
  • Errand service workers
  • Quick-delivery couriers
  • Other goods carriers
  • Study-material visiting instructors
  • Educational-materials visiting instructors
  • Rental-product visiting inspectors
  • Loan brokers
  • Credit-card member recruiters
  • After-school instructors
  • Software freelancers
  • Tour interpreter guides
  • Entertainment hostesses & dancers
  • Children's school bus drivers
  • Used-car salespersons

Notes
  • Office- and visit-based personal services such as errand running, organizing & storage, and wedding planning have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address. However, 'facility-based businesses' that provide services directly to customers at a specific location may be restricted.
  • Beauty/laundry/bathhouse: Facility standards and district on-site inspections under the Public Health Control Act are mandatory, so non-resident registration is difficult.
  • Funeral/wedding: Large spaces and safety facilities under the Funeral Act and Fire Safety Act are mandatory, so non-resident registration is difficult.
  • Other personal services not elsewhere classified
  • Fortune-telling & similar services
  • Personal caregiving & similar services
  • Wedding consulting & preparation servicesMarriage brokerage registration required
  • Crematorium operation, cemetery sales & management
  • Household laundry services
  • Industrial laundry services
  • Laundry supply services
  • Barber services
  • Hair beauty services
  • Skin beauty services
  • Other beauty services
  • Massage services
  • Body shaping & other physical care services
  • Funeral halls & funeral-related services
  • Wedding hall business
  • Bathhouse business
  • Pet funeral & care services

Notes
  • Repair services with low 'space occupancy'—such as remote software support, IT device after-sales agency, and on-site visit repair—have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address. However, businesses requiring a physical repair workshop or large equipment may be restricted.
  • Computers & peripherals: If you focus on remote support or simple parts replacement rather than running an actual repair center, you can apply.
  • Mobile car wash: A 'visiting car wash' model with no storefront, going directly to customers, is eligible.
  • Automobile maintenance & repair: A workshop of a specific size and mandatory facility filings under the Motor Vehicle Management Act must come first, so non-resident registration is difficult.
  • Computer & peripheral equipment repair
  • Telecom equipment repair
  • Car wash businessMaintenance business registration required
  • Other personal & household goods repair
  • Home appliance repair
  • Clothing & other household textile product repair
  • Leather, bag & footwear repair
  • Watch, jewelry & musical instrument repair
  • General automobile repairMaintenance business registration required
  • Specialized automobile repairMaintenance business registration required
  • Motorcycle repairMaintenance business registration required

Information & Communications

Notes
  • From general print books to e-books and online educational content production, there are many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • Depending on the nature of the business, it is subdivided into 'print publishing' or 'software development & supply'.
  • For publishing registration, a 'publisher filing confirmation' from the competent city/county/district office may be needed in advance.

Book, Magazine & Other Print Publishing

  • General book publishingPublisher filing required
  • Textbook & study-book publishingPublisher filing required
  • Comic book publishingPublisher filing required
  • Other print publishingPublisher filing required
  • Magazine & periodical publishingPeriodical registration certificate required
  • Regular advertising periodical publishingLocal-government registration & inspection possible
  • Newspaper publishing

Software Development & Supply

  • Application software development & supply
  • Wired online game software development & supply
  • Mobile game software development & supply
  • Other game software development & supply
  • System software development & supply

Notes
  • Digital, office-centric businesses such as platform services, data analysis, and portal operation are a representative category with a very high success rate for non-resident address registration.
  • News supply or certain information-provision services may involve a local-government filing, but you can still proceed.
  • During a tax-office inspection, we recommend clearly explaining that it is an 'intangible service based on online servers'.
  • Portal & other internet information intermediary services
  • Data processing
  • Database & online information provision
  • Other information services
  • Hosting & related servicesServer/IDC explanation required
  • News provisionInternet newspaper registration required
  • Virtual asset trading & brokerage

Notes
  • Creative activities centered on planning and editing—such as YouTube creation, independent video production, and content distribution—have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • Even without a separate studio, you can sufficiently justify the viability of the business.
  • Film business filing: For theatrical release or commercial film production/distribution, you must first complete a 'film business filing' through the local government's culture & arts division.
  • Video production filing: If you intend to directly distribute paid VOD or commercial video content, a separate filing may be required.
  • Music & other audio publishingSeparate filing required
  • Film, video & broadcast program distributionSeparate filing required
  • Broadcast program productionSeparate filing required
  • Advertising film & video productionSeparate filing required
  • General film & video productionSeparate filing required
  • Film, video & broadcast program production-related services
  • Animation film & video productionSeparate filing required
  • Media content creation
  • Movie theater operation
  • Recording studio operation
  • Video screening room operation

Notes
  • Digital content services such as OTT platforms, audio streaming, and online lecture channels have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • Given the server- and online-network-based nature of the business, it is optimized for non-resident registration.
  • Businesses that essentially require large-scale transmission facilities and broadcasting studios, like terrestrial/cable stations under the Broadcasting Act, may be restricted from non-resident registration.
  • Solo media or web-based services can apply smoothly.
  • Audio provision services
  • Video provision services
  • Program supply
  • Radio broadcasting
  • Terrestrial broadcasting
  • Cable broadcasting
  • Satellite & other broadcasting

Notes
  • Given that development work is location-independent, there are many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • From solo developers to outsourcing firms and SI startups, it is used most actively.
  • Since there are no separate licensing or physical facility requirements, you can contract and apply for business registration immediately.
  • Computer system integration consulting & building services
  • Computer facility management
  • Computer programming services
  • Other IT & computer operation-related services

Notes
  • Postal & telecommunications is a category that requires prior registration/filing as a key or value-added telecommunications business under the Telecommunications Business Act.
  • If large-scale physical equipment such as server facilities or base stations is essential, non-resident registration may be restricted.
  • Public postal services
  • Wireless & satellite telecommunicationsKAIT telecom business approval required
  • Wired telecommunicationsKAIT telecom business approval required
  • Telecom resellingTelecommunications Business Act registration required
  • Other telecommunicationsSeparate permit required depending on business type

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

Notes
  • Knowledge-based office services such as management consulting, advertising agency, translation & interpretation, and professional design are among the categories with a very high success rate for non-resident address registration.
  • It is optimized for businesses run mainly by professional staff without separate equipment.
  • For licensed professionals (lawyers, tax accountants, patent attorneys, etc.), separately from business registration you must meet your association's 'office establishment standards'.
  • When setting up a branch or solo office, please confirm in advance with the relevant association whether a non-resident address is permitted.
  • Patent attorney services
  • Other legal-related services
  • Other legal-related services (labor attorney)
  • Other accounting-related services
  • Market research & opinion polling
  • Management consulting
  • Management consulting (management consultant)
  • Public relations services
  • Advertising agency
  • Other advertising-related services
  • Ad copy, design & layout creation
  • Other professional services
  • Lawyer servicesLocal bar association office inspection
  • Judicial scrivener servicesKorea Judicial Scriveners Association office check
  • Tax accountant servicesTax Accountants Association office rules
  • CPA servicesCPA Association registration standards check
  • Tax accountant services (bookkeeping)IT facility explanation
  • CPA services (bookkeeping)IT facility explanation
  • Outdoor advertising businessLocal-government registration & training completion
  • Other legal-related services (notary)
  • Other legal-related services (court executive officer)

Notes
  • Services based on individual specialized skills—such as design, translation & interpretation, photography, and talent management—have a very high approval rate for non-resident address registration.
  • Recommended for businesses where work mainly takes place at the client site or external studios.
  • For photography, a solo photographer using their home or external studios can register a non-resident address.
  • If the essence of the business is running a professional studio that requires large equipment and a fixed set, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Commercial photography
  • Translation & interpretation services
  • Business & intangible property rights brokerage
  • Visual design
  • Talent management
  • Interior design
  • Product design
  • Fashion, textile & other specialized design
  • Other professional, scientific & technical services n.e.c.
  • Portrait & event video photography
  • Archaeological heritage survey & research services
  • Photo processing
  • Goods appraisal, weighing & sampling
  • Veterinary services

Notes
  • 'Office-based R&D'—such as software design, humanities and social-science research, and technical consulting—has many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • It is optimized for theory-centered research that needs no separate experimental equipment.
  • If you wish to obtain 'corporate R&D institute' or 'R&D department' certification for tax benefits, KOITA standards require resident researchers and an independent research space (an area fully partitioned by walls). Note that an in-house research institute may not be certifiable at a non-resident office.
  • Other humanities & social science R&D
  • Electrical & electronic engineering R&D
  • Other engineering R&D
  • Natural science & engineering convergence R&D
  • Economics & business R&D
  • Other natural science R&D
  • Physics, chemistry & biology R&D
  • Agriculture, forestry, fisheries & veterinary R&D
  • Medical & pharmaceutical R&D

Notes
  • Office work based on specialized knowledge—such as architectural design, civil engineering, and technical consulting—has many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • It is optimized for businesses run mainly on drawings and consulting without separate large equipment.
  • For certain 'technical-personnel filings' under the Engineering Industry Promotion Act, some local governments/associations may require a minimum office area or an independent space.
  • Architectural design & related servicesArchitect office registration
  • Architectural design & related services (architect)Architect office registration
  • Other engineering services
  • Building & civil engineering services (professional engineer)
  • Urban planning & landscape design services
  • Drafting services
  • Building & civil engineering services
  • Other technical testing, inspection & analysis (technical guidance engineer)
  • Geological survey, exploration & mapping
  • Environmental engineering services
  • Surveying
  • Other technical testing, inspection & analysis
  • Material composition testing & analysis

Wholesale & Retail Trade

Notes
  • Commodity brokerage and consignment sales that do not directly hold physical inventory have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'e-commerce (mail-order)' category.
  • If you must directly store and manage large physical inventory, a separate warehouse address may be required.
  • If you use no-inventory shipping or third-party logistics (3PL), business registration may be possible.
  • Industrial agricultural/livestock products, textile raw materials & animal brokerage
  • Food, beverage & tobacco brokerage
  • Textile, clothing, footwear & leather product brokerage
  • Lumber & building material brokerage
  • Fuel, mineral, primary metal, fertilizer & chemical product brokerage
  • Machinery & equipment brokerage
  • Other specific commodity brokerage
  • General commodity brokerage
  • General commodity wholesale
  • Grain & oilseed wholesale
  • Seed & seedling wholesale
  • Feed wholesale
  • Other industrial agricultural products wholesale
  • Dried seafood & salted seafood wholesale
  • Vegetables, tubers & spice crop wholesale
  • Fruit wholesale
  • Other fresh & simply processed food wholesale
  • Meat wholesale
  • Processed meat food wholesale
  • Dairy & animal/vegetable oils & fats wholesale
  • Bread, confectionery, sugar & chocolate wholesale
  • Non-alcoholic beverage wholesale
  • Other processed food wholesale
  • Processed seafood food wholesale
  • Seasoning wholesale
  • Coffee & tea wholesale
  • Men's & women's outerwear & shirts wholesale
  • Underwear & sleepwear wholesale
  • Infant clothing wholesale
  • Footwear wholesale
  • Leather & fur product wholesale
  • Clothing accessories & costume jewelry wholesale
  • Household textiles & yarn wholesale
  • Other household textiles & fabric products wholesale
  • Curtains & bedding wholesale
  • Household furniture wholesale
  • Eyeglasses, photo equipment & optical goods wholesale
  • Home appliances & parts wholesale
  • Household glass, ceramic, wood, metal products & cutlery wholesale
  • Wallpaper & flooring wholesale
  • Bulbs, lamps & lighting fixtures wholesale
  • Soap & detergent wholesale
  • Cosmetics & toiletries wholesale
  • Medical supplies wholesaleMedical device sales filing required
  • Books, magazines & other printed matter wholesale
  • Stationery, painting supplies & office supplies wholesale
  • Musical instrument wholesale
  • Record & video product wholesale
  • Sports & athletic goods wholesale
  • Toys, hobby & amusement goods wholesale
  • Watches & jewelry product wholesale
  • Bags & protective cases wholesale
  • Bicycles & other transport equipment wholesale
  • Household packaging, sanitary goods, bags & similar products wholesale
  • Paper, paperboard & paper boxes wholesale
  • Other household goods wholesale
  • Other specialized commodity wholesale
  • Other non-electric household appliances wholesale
  • Logs & building-related wood products wholesale
  • Aggregate, brick & cement wholesale
  • Glass & windows/doors wholesale
  • Paint wholesale
  • Plumbing & cooling/heating equipment wholesale
  • Hardware, metal fasteners & hand tools wholesale
  • Other building materials wholesale
  • Primary metal products wholesale
  • Metal ores wholesale
  • Dyes, pigments & related products wholesale
  • Textile fibers & yarns wholesale
  • Fabric wholesale
  • Plastic materials & synthetic rubber wholesale
  • Office furniture & equipment wholesale
  • Computers, peripherals & software wholesale
  • Telecom/broadcast equipment & parts wholesale
  • Electrical machinery, equipment & related materials wholesale
  • Batteries & cables wholesale
  • Precision & scientific instruments wholesale
  • Agricultural & forestry machinery & equipment wholesale
  • Construction & mining machinery & equipment wholesale
  • Machine tools & equipment wholesale
  • Other industrial machinery & equipment wholesale
  • Transport equipment wholesale
  • Other machinery & equipment wholesale
  • Flowers & plants wholesale
  • Land animals & companion animals wholesale
  • Fresh, frozen & other seafood wholesale
  • Medical device wholesaleMedical device sales filing required
  • Liquor wholesale
  • Tobacco wholesale
  • Pharmaceutical wholesale
  • Solid fuel & related products wholesale
  • Liquid fuel & related products wholesale
  • Gaseous fuel & related products wholesale
  • Recyclable material collection & sales
  • Other chemicals & chemical products wholesale
  • Fertilizer & pesticide wholesale

Notes
  • When selling online without a physical store, this is the representative category with the most successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'e-commerce (mail-order)' category.
  • Mail-order business filing must be done separately after completing business registration, via the competent city/county/district office or Government24.
  • E-commerce retail
  • E-commerce retail brokerage
  • Other mail-order retail
  • SNS market
  • Overseas direct-purchase agency
  • Door-to-door retail
  • Contract delivery retail
  • Other store-less retail
  • Textile fabric, yarn & other textile product retail
  • Men's outerwear retail
  • Women's outerwear retail
  • Shirts & blouses retail
  • Underwear & sleepwear retail
  • Infant clothing retail
  • Hanbok retail
  • Leather & fur clothing retail
  • Other clothing retail
  • Footwear retail
  • Bags & other leather goods retail
  • Clothing accessories & costume jewelry retail
  • Home appliance retail
  • Computer, peripherals & software retail
  • Telecom device retail
  • Office equipment retail
  • Furniture retail
  • Household textile product retail
  • Wallpaper, flooring & floor-covering retail
  • Kitchenware & household glass/ceramic product retail
  • Electrical goods & lighting fixture retail
  • Other household goods retail n.e.c.
  • Medical equipment retailMedical device sales filing required
  • Other optical & precision instrument retail
  • Cosmetics, soap & fragrance retail
  • Books, newspapers & magazine retail
  • Stationery & painting supplies retail
  • Musical instrument retail
  • Record & video product retail
  • Sports & athletic goods retail
  • Game supplies, dolls & toys retail
  • Watches & jewelry retail
  • Souvenirs, tourist crafts & decorative goods retail
  • Cameras & photo supplies retail
  • Hardware & heating supplies retail
  • Tool retail
  • Paint, windows/doors & other construction material retail
  • Bicycles & other transport equipment retail
  • Other specialized commodity retail n.e.c.
  • Used furniture retail
  • Used home appliances & telecom equipment retail
  • Other used goods retail
  • Grain, flour & livestock feed retail
  • Fresh, frozen & other seafood retail
  • Dried seafood & salted seafood retail
  • Vegetables, fruits & root crops retail
  • Other processed food retail
  • Other fresh & simply processed food retail
  • Health supplement retailHealth functional food sales filing required
  • Beverage retail
  • Artworks & antiques retail
  • Flowers & plants retail
  • Companion animals & related goods retail
  • Vending machine operation
  • Supermarkets
  • Other food-focused general retail
  • Department stores
  • Large marts
  • Duty-free shops
  • Other large general retail
  • Chain convenience stores
  • Other general retail
  • Meat retail
  • Bread, confectionery & sugar product retail
  • Prepared side-dish retail
  • Tobacco retail
  • Pharmaceutical & medical supply retail
  • Eyeglasses & lens retail
  • Gas stations for transport equipment
  • Other gas charging for transport equipment
  • Hydrogen charging for transport equipment
  • Household solid fuel retail
  • Household liquid fuel retail
  • Household gas fuel retail
  • Street stalls & similar mobile retail

Notes
  • Online parts and accessory sales that need no physical vehicle showroom or inventory warehouse have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'e-commerce (mail-order)' category.
  • Direct used-car dealership (trading) may be restricted from non-resident registration due to legal showroom requirements.
  • Businesses focused on parts trading or tuning-goods distribution can apply smoothly.
  • New automobile tires & tubes sales
  • New electrical/electronic/precision interior automotive equipment sales
  • Other new automotive parts & interior goods sales
  • New dedicated automotive parts sales
  • Motorcycle & parts wholesale
  • Motorcycle & parts retail
  • New automobile sales
  • Used automobile sales
  • Used automotive parts & interior goods sales

Business Facility Management, Business Support & Rental Services

Notes
  • Office-centric categories that support company operations—such as marketing agency, exhibition & event planning, call center services, and staffing supply—have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • Highly recommended for businesses that move on a project basis without separate facilities.
  • For travel agency operation or staffing dispatch, capital requirements or office inspections may accompany registration under the relevant laws.
  • Other travel support & reservation services
  • Online marketing & related business support services
  • Other business support services n.e.c.
  • Permanent staffing supply & HR management services
  • Exhibition, convention & event agency
  • Other office support services
  • Detective & investigation servicesDetective business filing required
  • Travel agency businessTravel business permit required
  • Employment placement businessJob placement office permit required
  • Temporary & day-labor supplyWorker dispatch business permit required
  • Security & guarding services
  • Security system services
  • Packaging & filling
  • Other business support services n.e.c. (other toll processing)
  • Document creation & copying
  • Credit investigation & debt collection agency
  • Call center & telemarketing services

Notes
  • Leasing of intangible property rights such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks, or rental of specific equipment, has many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • It is best suited to businesses run mainly on asset management without separate facilities.
  • For asset rental requiring huge physical storage (yards, garages), such as heavy equipment or vehicles, non-resident registration may be restricted.
  • If your rental target is an 'intangible asset' or 'small equipment', you can apply smoothly.
  • Intangible property rights leasing
  • Computer & office machinery/equipment rental
  • Other personal & household goods rental
  • Clothing rental
  • Automobile rental (rent-a-car)Transport business permit required
  • Other industrial machinery & equipment rental
  • Other transport equipment rental
  • Construction & civil engineering machinery/equipment rentalConstruction machinery rental business permit required
  • Sports & recreation goods rental
  • Record & video product rental
  • Book rental

Notes
  • Work centered on on-site visits—such as building cleaning agency and apartment landscape management—has many successful cases of registering a non-resident address. Suited to small-scale agency services that need no separate large equipment storage.
  • 'Disinfection business' requires, as a mandatory licensing condition under the Infectious Disease Control Act, a separate lockable chemical storage room and equipment warehouse. So registration at a typical non-resident office is difficult—please note this.
  • General building cleaning
  • Landscape management & maintenance services
  • Business facility maintenance & management services
  • Industrial facility, transport equipment & public place cleaning
  • Disinfection, pest control & extermination servicesDisinfection business permit required

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Related Services

Notes
  • Solo creators, writers, performance planning, and arts-group activities have many successful cases of registering with only a non-resident address, without separate physical facilities.
  • Recommended for those who do creative work at external sites or from home.
  • If the essence of the business is 'facility operation' that visitors attend—such as performance halls, libraries, museums, or theme parks—you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Performance planning
  • Dance & music groups
  • Theater groups
  • Other creative & arts-related services
  • Other performance groups
  • Other similar recreation-related services
  • Performance facility operation
  • Study café operation
  • Library & archive operation
  • Museum operation
  • Historic site management & operation
  • Botanical & zoological garden operation
  • Natural park operation

Notes
  • Sports and amusement facility operation must comply with facility-area and safety standards under the Sports Facilities Act or Game Industry Act, so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • Office-centric service businesses—such as sports agency, marketing agency, event planning, and game publishing (distribution)—have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • If it is an 'intangible service' rather than facility operation, you can apply smoothly.
  • Other sports services
  • Other amusement-related services n.e.c.
  • Lottery issuance & sales
  • Other sports facility operation
  • Go/baduk parlor operation
  • Amusement park & theme park operation
  • Dance hall operation
  • Sports club operation
  • Indoor stadium operation
  • Outdoor stadium operation
  • Racetrack & animal racetrack operation
  • Bowling alley operation
  • Golf course operation
  • Ski resort operation
  • Fitness facility operation
  • Golf driving range operation
  • Billiard hall operation
  • Swimming pool operation
  • Comprehensive sports facility operation
  • Other amusement arcade operation
  • Karaoke practice room operation
  • Electronic game arcade operation
  • Computer game room operation
  • Fishing ground operation
  • Other water-amusement services
  • Sports park & similar park operation
  • Casino operation
  • Other gambling facility management & operation

Financial & Insurance Services

Notes
  • Office-centric professional services such as financial advisory, insurance brokerage & agency, and loss adjustment have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • Given the knowledge-based nature requiring no separate facilities, it is very well suited to non-resident registration.
  • Due to the scaling-up of general agencies (GA), some local governments or associations may require an office inspection.
  • For insurance agency or loss adjustment, relevant certifications and statutory training may be required before registration.
  • Other financial support services
  • Insurance agency & brokerageInsurance Business Act registration required
  • Other insurance & pension-related services
  • Loss adjustment businessInsurance Business Act registration required
  • Investment advisory & discretionary investmentOffice-space inspection upon FSS registration
  • Securities brokerage
  • Futures brokerage
  • Financial market management
  • Securities issuance, management, custody & trading support services

Notes
  • Financial services require licensing/registration from the Financial Services Commission (or Financial Supervisory Service). Since the licensing requirements mandate an actual business location with IT facilities and security systems, non-resident registration is fundamentally restricted.
  • If it is an office-centric service focused on 'financial investment advisory', 'financial product consulting', or 'fintech technology development'—rather than licensed direct financial business—application may be possible.
  • Holding companies
  • Central bank
  • Domestic banks
  • Credit unions
  • Other credit finance businesses
  • Mutual savings banks & other savings institutions
  • Credit card & installment finance
  • Foreign banks
  • Financial leasing
  • Development financial institutions
  • Other financial services n.e.c.
  • Trust & collective investment business
  • Fund operation
  • Other financial investment businessCapital Markets Act license/registration required

Notes
  • The insurance business requires Financial Services Commission approval under the Insurance Business Act, with strict physical requirements such as enormous capital and server facilities, so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • If you do not directly run an insurance service but broker the sale and consultation of insurance products, you can apply for non-resident registration as 'insurance agency & brokerage'.
  • Establishing an insurer (life, non-life, etc.) involves strict on-site inspection by the Financial Services Commission, so a non-resident office cannot meet the licensing requirements.
  • Life insurance
  • Reinsurance
  • Non-life insurance
  • Guarantee insurance
  • Personal mutual aid
  • Business mutual aid

Transportation & Warehousing

Notes
  • Office-based transport services that need no physical warehouse or vehicle depot—such as logistics brokerage and customs clearance agency—have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • Warehousing that actually stores freight, or transport businesses that must own vehicles directly, may be restricted from non-resident registration due to statutory facility requirements (garages, etc.).
  • Freight transport brokerage, agency & related services
  • Ship management
  • Other air transport support services
  • Customs clearance agency & related services
  • Other land transport support services
  • Other transport-related services n.e.c.
  • Water freight handling
  • Air & land freight handling
  • General warehousing
  • Refrigerated & frozen warehousing
  • Agricultural product warehousing
  • Hazardous goods storage
  • Other storage & warehousing
  • Railway transport support services
  • Passenger bus terminal operation
  • Parking lot operation
  • Logistics terminal operation
  • Road & related facility operation
  • Other water transport support services
  • Harbor & other marine terminal operation
  • Airport operation
  • Freight packaging, inspection & weighing services

Notes
  • Air transport has strict facility standards required for licensing under the Aviation Business Act—aircraft ownership, maintenance facilities, dedicated security personnel, etc.—so non-resident address registration is not possible.
  • If it is not actual transport but 'air freight forwarding' or 'air-related advisory & services', application may be possible under 'warehousing & transport-related services'.
  • Air passenger transport
  • Air freight transport

Notes
  • Water transport has strict standards for ship ownership and dedicated port facilities under the Marine Transportation Act, etc., so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • If you do not actually operate ships but only perform management, brokerage, or agency work, application may be possible under 'ship management' or 'freight transport brokerage, agency & related services'.
  • Coastal passenger transport
  • Ocean-going freight transport
  • Coastal freight transport
  • Other marine transport
  • Ocean-going passenger transport
  • Other inland water passenger & freight transport
  • In-port passenger transport

Notes
  • Land transport requires vehicle ownership and garage installation under the Trucking Transport Business Act, etc., so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • If you do not operate vehicles directly but only run a platform or brokerage connecting shippers and carriers, application may be possible under 'freight transport brokerage, agency & related services'.
  • Express delivery (quick service)
  • Urban railway transport
  • Railway passenger transport
  • Railway freight transport
  • Intercity bus transport
  • City bus transport
  • Other regular urban land passenger transport
  • Taxi transport
  • Charter bus transport
  • Other non-scheduled passenger land transport
  • General freight trucking
  • Individual freight trucking
  • Special passenger road transport
  • Other road freight transport
  • Pipeline transport
  • Courier business

Real Estate

Notes
  • Categories where 'office work' is core—such as real estate development & projects, investment advisory, and presale agency—have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • Recommended for businesses run on a project basis without separate facilities.
  • Real estate leasing: In principle, the location of the actual leased property (building) becomes the business place. However, you can apply for non-resident registration as a 'corporate head-office address' for managing assets.
  • Real estate brokerage: An independent dedicated office space and on-site inspection under the Licensed Real Estate Agent Act are mandatory, so opening registration at a typical non-resident office is restricted.
  • Non-residential building leasing
  • Other real estate leasing
  • Non-residential building leasing (own land)
  • Non-residential building leasing (others' land)
  • Other real estate leasing (own land)
  • Other real estate leasing (others' land)
  • Real estate presale agency
  • Real estate investment advisory
  • Residential building development & supply
  • Non-residential building development & supply
  • Other real estate development & supply
  • Residential building leasingPrivate Rental Housing Act registration required
  • Residential building leasing (long-term multi-unit/detached houses)Private Rental Housing Act registration required
  • Residential building leasing (long-term multi-household houses)Private Rental Housing Act registration required
  • Non-residential building leasing (storefront, own land)
  • Non-residential building leasing (storefront, others' land)
  • Real estate brokerage & agency
  • Real estate appraisal
  • Non-residential real estate management
  • Residential real estate management

Manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate a factory or manufacturing facility, you must register the business at that facility's address rather than a non-resident address.
  • Health functional foods may separately require Ministry of Food and Drug Safety licensing, such as 'health functional food distribution & sales business'.
  • Other fruit & vegetable processing & preservation
  • Pickled fruit & vegetable food manufacturing
  • Vegetable oils & fats manufacturing
  • Edible refined & processed oil manufacturing
  • Other grain processed product manufacturing
  • Starch products & sugar manufacturing
  • Grain mix flour & dough manufacturing
  • Confectionery & cocoa product manufacturing
  • Bread manufacturing
  • Sugar manufacturing
  • Noodles, macaroni & similar food manufacturing
  • Natural & blended seasoning manufacturing
  • Sauce & paste manufacturing
  • Vinegar, fermented & chemical seasoning manufacturing
  • Other food additive manufacturing
  • Aquatic plant processing & preservation
  • Health-supplement liquid food manufacturingHealth functional food approval required
  • Coffee processing
  • Tea processing
  • Ginseng food manufacturing
  • Soup & homogenized food manufacturing
  • Health functional food manufacturingHealth functional food approval required
  • Other food manufacturing
  • Dried & salted aquatic animal product manufacturing
  • Kimchi manufacturing
  • Animal oils & fats manufacturing
  • Liquid milk & other dairy product manufacturing (powdered & formula milk)
  • Grain milling
  • Companion animal feed manufacturing
  • Single & other feed manufacturing
  • Compound feed manufacturing
  • Other ready-to-eat processed food manufacturing
  • Meat slaughtering (except poultry)
  • Poultry processing & preservation
  • Poultry slaughtering
  • Meat packing & frozen meat processing (except poultry)
  • Other meat processing & preservation (except poultry)
  • Aquatic animal smoked, cooked & similar food manufacturing
  • Frozen aquatic animal product manufacturing
  • Other aquatic animal processing & preservation
  • Liquid milk & other dairy product manufacturing
  • Ice cream & other edible ice product manufacturing
  • Grain polishing
  • Lunch-box food manufacturing
  • Rice cake manufacturing
  • Tofu & similar food manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate a factory or manufacturing facility, you must register the business at that facility's address rather than a non-resident address.
  • Among beverages, "alcoholic beverages (liquor)" require a separate manufacturing license and strict facility standards under the Liquor Tax Act, so non-resident registration is not possible.
  • Other non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing
  • Other distilled & blended liquor manufacturing
  • Distilled alcohol manufacturing
  • Soju manufacturing
  • Takju & yakju manufacturing
  • Other fermented liquor manufacturing
  • Malt & beer manufacturing
  • Bottled water production
  • Ice manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly equip and operate a production facility such as cutting and sewing, you must register at the actual workshop's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • If you only design and receive finished goods, 'clothing accessory wholesale' or 'e-commerce' may be more suitable.
  • Textile printing
  • Other textile finishing
  • Bedding & related product manufacturing
  • Embroidery products & embroidery material manufacturing
  • Awning, tent & similar product manufacturing
  • Curtain & similar product manufacturing
  • Fabric bag manufacturing
  • Other fabric product manufacturing
  • Carpet, floor-covering & similar product manufacturing
  • Other textile product manufacturing n.e.c.
  • Twisting & textured yarn manufacturing
  • Fabric, knit & clothing dyeing & finishing
  • Cotton & yarn dyeing & finishing
  • Fishing net & other cordage product manufacturing
  • Cord & rope manufacturing
  • Narrow fabric manufacturing
  • Surface-treated & laminated fabric manufacturing
  • Chemical fiber spinning
  • Cotton spinning
  • Wool spinning
  • Chemical fiber fabric weaving
  • Other spinning
  • Wool fabric weaving
  • Cotton fabric weaving
  • Special & other fabric weaving
  • Non-woven & felt manufacturing
  • Special yarn & cord fabric manufacturing
  • Knit fabric manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • Infant and children's clothing requires KC children's product safety certification even with OEM, before it can be sold.
  • Knitted clothing manufacturing
  • Stockings & other hosiery manufacturing
  • Other knitted clothing accessory manufacturing
  • Men's outerwear manufacturing
  • Hanbok manufacturing
  • Women's outerwear manufacturing
  • Shirts & blouses manufacturing
  • Work clothes & similar clothing manufacturing
  • Leather clothing manufacturing
  • Hat manufacturing
  • Underwear & sleepwear manufacturing
  • Other clothing accessory manufacturing
  • Other sewn-clothing manufacturing
  • Fur product manufacturing
  • Infant clothing manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • Fur & leather manufacturing requires an actual facility when a tanning (processing) process is involved, but finished-goods outsourced production (OEM) can apply for non-resident registration.
  • Footwear parts manufacturing may require B2B transaction evidence (consignment contracts, etc.).
  • Bags & other protective case manufacturing
  • Other leather product manufacturing
  • Handbag & wallet manufacturing
  • Footwear manufacturing
  • Other footwear manufacturing
  • Fur & leather manufacturing
  • Footwear parts manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate a manufacturing facility or factory that processes wood, you must register at the actual facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • If you only distribute simple wood items or do furniture design, 'furniture wholesale/retail' or 'specialized design' registration may be easier.
  • Other construction wood product manufacturing
  • Wood packaging boxes, drums & similar container manufacturing
  • Wood doors & related product manufacturing
  • Wood pallets & other loading boards manufacturing
  • Wood tools & kitchen wood product manufacturing
  • Decorative wood product manufacturing
  • Cork & plaiting product manufacturing
  • Other wood product manufacturing
  • Surface-processed & special-purpose sawn timber manufacturing
  • General sawmilling
  • Wood preservation, anticorrosion, painting & similar treatment
  • Reinforced & reconstituted wood manufacturing
  • Veneer, plywood & similar laminated board manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate large manufacturing equipment or a factory that processes or prints paper, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • If you simply design character goods or stationery and then sell finished products, 'specialized design' or 'wholesale/retail' registration may be easier.
  • Laminated, composite & special surface-treated paper manufacturing
  • Paperboard boxes & containers manufacturing
  • Corrugated boxes & processed product manufacturing
  • Paper sacks & bags manufacturing
  • Food-sanitary paper boxes & containers manufacturing
  • Other paper boxes & container manufacturing
  • Other paper & paperboard product manufacturing
  • Stationery paper product manufacturing
  • Wallpaper & floor-covering paper manufacturing
  • Sanitary paper product manufacturing
  • Corrugated cardboard manufacturing
  • Newsprint manufacturing
  • Other paper & paperboard manufacturing
  • Pulp manufacturing
  • Printing & writing base-paper manufacturing
  • Sanitary base-paper manufacturing
  • Corrugated base-paper manufacturing
  • Kraft paper & other box paperboard manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If it is a factory that directly processes/operates printing presses or master machines, you must register at the actual facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • For book production (publishing) purposes, a 'publisher filing certificate' from the competent district office may need to be obtained first.
  • Light printing
  • Screen printing
  • Offset printing
  • Other printing
  • Bookbinding
  • Other printing-related industries
  • Platemaking & typesetting
  • Recording media reproduction

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you are preparing to launch a cosmetics brand, in addition to an OEM contract, 'cosmetics responsible distribution & sales business' registration is mandatory.
  • Household chemical products such as detergents and fragrances may, depending on the item, require separate safety-standard conformity confirmation and filing.
  • If you directly operate a manufacturing facility that blends and fills raw materials, you must register at the actual factory's location rather than a non-resident address due to environmental licensing issues.
  • Printing ink & artist paint manufacturing
  • Toothpaste, soap & other detergent manufacturing
  • Surface polish & indoor fragrance manufacturing
  • Adhesive & gelatin manufacturing
  • Other chemical product manufacturing n.e.c.
  • General paint & related product manufacturing
  • Ceramic coating & related product manufacturing
  • Cosmetics manufacturingLicensing registration required
  • Surfactant manufacturing
  • Other basic inorganic chemical manufacturing
  • Hydrogen manufacturing
  • Oxygen, nitrogen & other industrial gas manufacturing
  • Other basic organic chemical manufacturing
  • Metal oxides & related products for inorganic pigments manufacturing
  • Petrochemical basic chemical manufacturing
  • Biomass-based basic chemical manufacturing
  • Dyes, prepared inorganic pigments, softeners & other colorants manufacturing
  • Compound & other chemical fertilizer manufacturing
  • Nitrogen compounds, nitrogen/phosphate & potassium chemical fertilizer manufacturing
  • Organic fertilizer & potting soil manufacturing
  • Synthetic rubber manufacturing
  • Synthetic resin & other plastic material manufacturing
  • Blended & recycled plastic material manufacturing
  • Chemical disinfectant/pesticide & agricultural agent manufacturing
  • Biological disinfectant/pesticide & plant protectant manufacturing
  • Processed & refined salt manufacturing
  • Photosensitive materials & related chemical product manufacturing
  • Explosives & pyrotechnic product manufacturing
  • Biofuel & blend manufacturing
  • Synthetic fiber manufacturing
  • Regenerated fiber manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement with a GMP-certified company is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • Prescription drugs involve strict GMP facility inspections, so non-resident registration is effectively impossible.
  • However, OEM of quasi-drugs (masks, hand sanitizers, etc.) or Class-1 medical-device consumables has successful cases of non-resident registration.
  • Depending on the item, a 'medical device sales filing' from the competent public health center or a 'medical device import/manufacturing' filing certificate from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety may be required before business registration.
  • In vitro diagnostic reagent manufacturing
  • Other medical supplies & pharmaceutical-related product manufacturing
  • Biologic drug manufacturing
  • Synthetic & other finished drug manufacturing
  • Herbal medicine manufacturing
  • Basic pharmaceutical substance manufacturing
  • Veterinary drug manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate a factory/manufacturing facility that processes or molds raw materials, you must register at the actual facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Depending on the item, children's-product safety confirmation (KC certification) or food-container precision inspection may accompany it.
  • Other rubber product manufacturing
  • Rubber packing manufacturing
  • Rubber clothing & other sanitary non-vulcanized rubber product manufacturing
  • Installation & sanitary plastic product manufacturing
  • Plastic sacks, bags & similar product manufacturing
  • Plastic adhesive-treated product manufacturing
  • Plastic laminated, coated & other surface-treated product manufacturing
  • Packaging plastic molded container manufacturing
  • Other machinery/equipment assembly plastic product manufacturing
  • Plastic film manufacturing
  • Plastic synthetic leather manufacturing
  • Plastic sheet & board manufacturing
  • Other construction plastic assembly product manufacturing
  • Rubber tire & tube manufacturing
  • Other industrial non-vulcanized rubber product manufacturing
  • Plastic wire, rod, pipe & hose manufacturing
  • Polystyrene foam molded product manufacturing
  • Other plastic foam molded product manufacturing
  • Wall & floor covering plastic product manufacturing
  • Plastic windows/doors manufacturing
  • Other plastic product manufacturing
  • Transport equipment assembly plastic product manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate raw-material processing facilities such as kilns and furnaces, you must register at the actual factory's address rather than a non-resident address.
  • Tableware (ceramic, glass, etc.) may, depending on the item, involve precision inspection under the Food Sanitation Act.
  • Household glassware manufacturing
  • Packaging glass container manufacturing
  • Household & decorative ceramic manufacturing
  • Other general ceramic manufacturing
  • Tile & similar non-refractory ceramic manufacturing
  • Artificial marble product manufacturing
  • Other processed sheet glass manufacturing
  • Other industrial glass product manufacturing
  • Sanitary & industrial ceramic manufacturing
  • Other construction non-refractory ceramic manufacturing
  • Plaster-blended product manufacturing
  • Other concrete & similar product manufacturing
  • Other stone product manufacturing
  • Abrasive manufacturing
  • Other non-metallic mineral product manufacturing n.e.c.
  • Sheet glass manufacturing
  • Safety glass manufacturing
  • Primary glass products, glass fiber & optical glass manufacturing
  • Display device glass manufacturing
  • Other glass product manufacturing
  • Shaped refractory ceramic manufacturing
  • Unshaped refractory ceramic manufacturing
  • Clay bricks, blocks & similar non-refractory ceramic manufacturing
  • Cement manufacturing
  • Lime & plaster manufacturing
  • Ready-mixed concrete manufacturing
  • Concrete pipes & other structural concrete product manufacturing
  • Concrete tiles, roof tiles, bricks & block manufacturing
  • Non-refractory mortar manufacturing
  • Construction stone product manufacturing
  • Rock wool & similar product manufacturing
  • Asphalt concrete & blended product manufacturing
  • Non-metallic mineral grinding product manufacturing
  • Carbon fiber manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate a large manufacturing facility that melts or processes metal, you must register at the actual factory's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • If the business is simply distributing metal materials, 'metal & mineral wholesale' registration may be easier.
  • Steel wire manufacturing
  • Steel pipe manufacturing
  • Steel pipe processing & fittings manufacturing
  • Pig-iron casting
  • Steel casting
  • Aluminum casting
  • Other non-ferrous metal casting
  • Iron making
  • Steel making
  • Ferroalloy manufacturing
  • Other iron & steel making
  • Other primary steel manufacturing
  • Cast iron pipe manufacturing
  • Hot-rolled & extruded product manufacturing
  • Cold-rolled & extruded product manufacturing
  • Plated, colored & other surface-treated steel manufacturing
  • Other non-ferrous metal smelting, refining & alloy manufacturing
  • Copper smelting, refining & alloy manufacturing
  • Aluminum smelting, refining & alloy manufacturing
  • Lead & zinc smelting, refining & alloy manufacturing
  • Aluminum rolled, extruded & drawn product manufacturing
  • Copper rolled, extruded & drawn product manufacturing
  • Other non-ferrous metal rolled, extruded & drawn product manufacturing
  • Other primary non-ferrous metal manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate an actual workshop with processing equipment such as cutting and welding, you must register at the facility's address rather than a non-resident address.
  • Metal products that touch the mouth, such as tableware, may require inspection under the Food Sanitation Act when imported or manufactured.
  • Metal doors, windows, shutters & related product manufacturing
  • Other fabricated metal product manufacturing n.e.c.
  • Other metal stamped product manufacturing
  • Other metal fabrication
  • Non-powered hand tool manufacturing
  • General hardware manufacturing
  • Saws & interchangeable tool manufacturing
  • Cutlery manufacturing
  • Metal wire processed product manufacturing
  • Metal cans & other packaging container manufacturing
  • Manual food-processing devices & metal kitchenware manufacturing
  • Bolt & nut manufacturing
  • Other metal fasteners & screw product manufacturing
  • Metal sanitary product manufacturing
  • Metal signboard manufacturing
  • Structural metal plate products & workpiece manufacturing
  • Other structural metal product manufacturing
  • Industrial heating boiler & radiator manufacturing
  • Automotive metal stamped product manufacturing
  • Metal spring manufacturing
  • Coated & filled welding rod manufacturing
  • Land metal frame structural material manufacturing
  • Marine metal frame structural material manufacturing
  • Metal tank & storage container manufacturing
  • Compressed & liquefied gas container manufacturing
  • Nuclear reactor & steam boiler manufacturing
  • Powder metallurgy product manufacturing
  • Metal forged product manufacturing
  • Painting & other coating treatment
  • Cutting & similar processing
  • Metal heat treatment
  • Plating
  • Weapons & ordnance manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate an actual factory with production facilities such as assembly, processing & inspection, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Electronic devices or machinery may, depending on the item, mandatorily require electrical-product safety certification (KC certification), so please confirm in advance.
  • Taps, valves & similar device manufacturing
  • Liquid pump manufacturing
  • Gas pump & compressor manufacturing
  • Conveyor device manufacturing
  • Other general-purpose machinery manufacturing
  • Household & industrial air-conditioning device manufacturing
  • Industrial blower & exhaust device manufacturing
  • Gas filter manufacturing
  • Liquid filter manufacturing
  • Container washing, packaging & filling machine manufacturing
  • Sprayer & fire extinguisher manufacturing
  • Powered hand tool manufacturing
  • Digital additive manufacturing machine manufacturing
  • Food, beverage & tobacco processing machine manufacturing
  • Other textile, clothing & leather processing machine manufacturing
  • Industrial robot manufacturing
  • Other special-purpose machinery manufacturing
  • Semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturing
  • Display manufacturing equipment manufacturing
  • Office machinery & equipment manufacturing
  • Hydraulic equipment manufacturing
  • Gear & power transmission device manufacturing
  • Industrial oven, furnace & burner manufacturing
  • Other material handling equipment manufacturing
  • Industrial refrigeration & freezing equipment manufacturing
  • Transport equipment air-conditioning device manufacturing
  • Distiller, heat exchanger & gas generator manufacturing
  • Agriculture & forestry machinery manufacturing
  • Electronic-applied cutting machine manufacturing
  • Other machining machine-tool manufacturing
  • Printing & bookbinding machine manufacturing
  • Mold & die manufacturing
  • Internal combustion engine manufacturing
  • Other engine & turbine manufacturing
  • Rolling bearing manufacturing
  • Industrial truck & loader manufacturing
  • Elevator manufacturing
  • Metal cutting machine manufacturing
  • Metal forming machine manufacturing
  • Metal casting & other metallurgical machine manufacturing
  • Construction & mining machinery manufacturing
  • Mineral processing & handling equipment manufacturing
  • Industrial textile washing, dyeing, finishing & processing machine manufacturing
  • Rubber, chemical fiber & plastic molding machine manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you operate a factory with manufacturing facilities such as winding, assembly & testing, you must register at the actual facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Electrical products such as home appliances or lighting may, depending on the item, mandatorily require electrical-product safety confirmation (KC certification), so please confirm in advance.
  • Kitchen electric appliance manufacturing
  • Other household electric appliance manufacturing
  • Household non-electric cooking & heating appliance manufacturing
  • Household electric heating appliance manufacturing
  • Other electrical conversion device manufacturing
  • Energy storage device manufacturing
  • Electrical circuit connection device manufacturing
  • Insulated cord sets & other conductor manufacturing
  • Other secondary battery manufacturing
  • General lighting fixture manufacturing
  • Display & advertising lighting fixture manufacturing
  • Bulb & lamp manufacturing
  • Other lighting fixture manufacturing
  • Other electrical equipment manufacturing
  • Electric alarm & signaling device manufacturing
  • Electric motor & generator manufacturing
  • Transformer manufacturing
  • Electrical circuit switching & protection device manufacturing
  • Transport equipment lighting device manufacturing
  • Switchboard & electrical automatic control panel manufacturing
  • Other insulated wire & cable manufacturing
  • Optical fiber cable manufacturing
  • Transport equipment secondary battery manufacturing
  • Primary battery manufacturing
  • Electrical carbon & insulation product manufacturing
  • Traffic signaling device manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate an actual factory with large equipment for component assembly, processing & soldering, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Communication equipment or computer devices may, depending on the item, mandatorily require radio-wave certification (KC certification), so please confirm in advance.
  • Magnetic & optical media manufacturing
  • Computer manufacturing
  • Other peripheral device manufacturing
  • Storage device manufacturing
  • Computer monitor manufacturing
  • Computer printer manufacturing
  • Other semiconductor device manufacturing
  • Other electronic component manufacturing
  • Memory IC manufacturing
  • Non-memory & other IC manufacturing
  • Light-emitting diode manufacturing
  • Other display device manufacturing
  • Electronic component mounting board manufacturing
  • Electronic resistor & electronic card manufacturing
  • Electronic sensing device manufacturing
  • Wired communication equipment manufacturing
  • Broadcasting equipment manufacturing
  • Mobile phone manufacturing
  • Other wireless communication equipment manufacturing
  • Video & other imaging device manufacturing
  • Television manufacturing
  • Radio, recording & playback device manufacturing
  • Other audio equipment manufacturing
  • Electronic coils, transformers & other inductor manufacturing
  • Liquid crystal display manufacturing
  • Organic light-emitting display manufacturing
  • Rigid printed circuit board manufacturing
  • Flexible & other printed circuit board manufacturing
  • Electronic capacitor manufacturing
  • Printed circuit board laminate manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate a factory with actual manufacturing equipment such as lens processing or precision-instrument assembly, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Medical devices may, depending on the item's grade, require a 'medical device sales (or manufacturing) filing certificate' from the competent public health center in advance.
  • Other medical device manufacturingMedical device approval required
  • Orthopedic & body-corrective device manufacturingMedical device approval required
  • Medical furniture manufacturing
  • Material testing, measuring & analysis instrument manufacturing
  • Radar, navigation radio device & surveying instrument manufacturing
  • Electromagnetic measuring, testing & analysis instrument manufacturing
  • Speedometer & integrating meter manufacturing
  • Automatic measuring & control device manufacturing for instruments
  • Other measuring, testing, navigation, control & precision instrument manufacturing
  • Industrial process control equipment manufacturing
  • Eyeglasses & eyeglass lens manufacturing
  • Other optical instrument & camera manufacturing
  • Watch & watch part manufacturing
  • Dental device manufacturing
  • Optical lens & optical element manufacturing
  • Electrical diagnostic & therapeutic device manufacturingMedical device approval required
  • Dental prosthetic manufacturing
  • Dental implant manufacturing
  • Radiation device manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate a factory with actual manufacturing facilities such as engine assembly and body processing, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Special vehicles or trailers may require manufacturer registration and safety inspection, and separate approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, so please confirm in advance.
  • New automotive seat manufacturing
  • Other new automotive parts manufacturing
  • New automotive electrical device manufacturing
  • New automotive engine parts manufacturing
  • New automotive body parts manufacturing
  • New automotive power transmission device manufacturing
  • New automotive steering & suspension device manufacturing
  • New automotive braking device manufacturing
  • Internal-combustion freight & special-purpose vehicle manufacturing
  • Electric freight & special-purpose electric vehicle manufacturing
  • Automotive engine manufacturing
  • Internal-combustion passenger & other passenger vehicle manufacturing
  • Electric passenger & other passenger electric vehicle manufacturing
  • Trailer & semi-trailer manufacturing
  • Car body & special vehicle manufacturing
  • Automobile structure & device modification
  • Automotive remanufactured parts manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate an actual factory that assembles large transport equipment or processes parts, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Aircraft or special mobility parts may require technical-standard certification and separate type approval in advance.
  • Ship component manufacturing
  • Aircraft parts manufacturing
  • Unmanned aircraft & UAV manufacturing
  • Motorcycle manufacturing
  • Personal electric mobility manufacturing
  • Bicycle & patient vehicle manufacturing
  • Other transport equipment manufacturing n.e.c.
  • Recreational & sports boat building
  • Railway vehicle parts & related fixture manufacturing
  • Steel ship building
  • Other ship building
  • Synthetic resin ship building
  • Locomotive & other railway vehicle manufacturing
  • Manned aircraft, spacecraft & auxiliary device manufacturing
  • Aircraft engine manufacturing
  • Combat vehicle manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate an actual furniture factory with processes such as solid-wood processing, painting & assembly, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Children's furniture or imported products may, depending on the item, require KC safety certification or inspection.
  • If you also prepare a third-party logistics (3PL) contract, business registration may be possible without a physical warehouse.
  • Metal furniture manufacturing
  • Other wood furniture manufacturing
  • Other furniture manufacturing
  • Mattress & bed manufacturing
  • Sofa & other upholstered furniture manufacturing
  • Kitchen & restaurant wood furniture manufacturing

Notes
  • If you have no manufacturing facility of your own, an OEM (contract manufacturing) agreement is required.
  • For smooth registration, we recommend also adding the 'Wholesale/Retail & E-commerce' category.
  • If you directly operate a factory with actual production facilities such as assembly and processing, you must register at the facility's location rather than a non-resident address.
  • Toys, exercise equipment, etc. may, depending on the item, require children's-product safety certification (KC certification) in advance.
  • Precious metals & related product manufacturing
  • Other musical instruments & electronic instrument manufacturing
  • Gymnastics, athletics & fitness equipment manufacturing
  • Other sports & athletic goods manufacturing
  • Fishing & hunting gear manufacturing
  • Doll & toy manufacturing
  • Video game machine manufacturing
  • Other amusement goods manufacturing
  • Imitation jewelry & costume accessory manufacturing
  • Wig & similar product manufacturing
  • Signboard & advertising goods manufacturing
  • Office & painting supplies manufacturing
  • Broom & brush manufacturing
  • Other products manufacturing n.e.c.
  • Button & similar fastener manufacturing
  • Other new automotive parts manufacturing
  • Keyboard instrument manufacturing
  • Exhibition model manufacturing
  • Other metal fabrication
  • Playground equipment manufacturing
  • Framing processing
  • Lighters, combustibles & smoking goods manufacturing
  • Cutting & similar processing
  • Packaging & filling
  • Other small-subcontracting

Notes
  • Businesses centered on 'on-site repair' that visit the site to provide services have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • This assumes there is no facility for bringing machines into the business place for repair, and you must be able to explain to the tax office that operations are 100% on-site dispatch. We recommend stating in the business plan that it is a field-centric service.
  • Other general machinery & equipment repair
  • Electrical, electronic & precision instrument repair
  • Construction & mining machinery & equipment repair

Notes
  • Tobacco manufacturing is restricted from non-resident address registration due to statutory facility requirements.
  • Manufacturing permission from the Ministry of Economy and Finance is mandatory, and with statutory capital (KRW 30 billion or more) and on-site inspection of huge manufacturing facilities, registration at a non-resident office is fundamentally impossible.
  • Tobacco product manufacturing

Notes
  • Refined petroleum and briquette manufacturing is restricted from non-resident address registration due to statutory facility standards and environmental licensing requirements.
  • Large refining equipment, storage tanks, and other legally required facilities must be in place, and strict on-site inspections regarding soil contamination and atmospheric environment accompany it, so registration at a non-resident office is fundamentally impossible.
  • If you are preparing simple distribution or trade rather than direct manufacturing, application may be possible under categories such as 'fuel & related products wholesale'.
  • Coke & briquette manufacturing
  • Crude oil refining
  • Lubricant & grease manufacturing
  • Other refined petroleum reprocessing

Construction

Notes
  • Non-resident address registration is possible only if you hold a 'general construction business license' under the Framework Act on the Construction Industry.
  • When registering a construction business license, local governments or associations often conduct on-site inspections.
  • For new license registration or renewal, please confirm in advance whether you meet the required 'physical office requirements (permanent workspace, etc.)'.
  • Building construction
  • Civil engineering construction
  • Industrial & environmental facility construction
  • Landscape construction

Notes
  • Application is possible if you have completed a 'specialty construction business' license under the Framework Act on the Construction Industry, or a 'construction business registration' under individual laws such as electrical, fire-safety, or information & communications.
  • For specialty construction businesses, associations or local governments often conduct office inspections directly.
  • Please confirm in advance the office requirements essential for license registration and maintenance.
  • Interior architecture & interior works
  • Earthwork
  • Plastering, waterproofing & masonry works
  • Metal structure & windows/doors works
  • Painting & wallpapering works
  • Plumbing & heating works
  • Electrical works
  • Fire-safety works
  • Telecommunications works

Education Services

Notes
  • Academies that run actual study halls require facility conditions, but 'knowledge-based services'—such as online lecture-content production and education consulting—have many successful cases of registering a non-resident address.
  • Offline academies/tutoring centers: Education-office facility inspections (area, fire safety, etc.) under the Private Education Act are mandatory, so registration at a non-resident address is not possible.
  • Formal education institutions: State-licensed facilities such as schools are not subject to private non-resident address registration.
  • Online education academy
  • Other education support services
  • Education-related advisory & assessment
  • Employee training institutions
  • Recreation education institutions
  • Other education institutions n.e.c.
  • Youth training facility operation
  • Foreign schools
  • Driving schools
  • Other technical & vocational training academies
  • General subject academies
  • Music academies
  • Art academies
  • Other arts academies
  • Foreign language academies
  • Computer academies
  • Taekwondo & martial arts education institutions
  • Other sports education institutions
  • Other teaching academies
  • Early childhood education institutions
  • Elementary schools
  • Middle schools
  • General high schools
  • Commercial & information-industry specialized high schools
  • Industrial specialized high schools
  • Other specialized high schools
  • Junior colleges
  • Universities
  • Graduate schools
  • Special schools
  • Alternative schools
  • Social education facilities

Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste Management & Material Recovery

Notes
  • Waste treatment and transport have strict statutory facility requirements and equipment standards, so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • Under the Waste Management Act, mandatory facilities subject to on-site inspection—such as actual treatment facilities or storage warehouses and collection/transport vehicles (garages)—must be in place per the permit standards, so registration at a non-resident office is fundamentally impossible.
  • Metal dismantling & sorting
  • Metal material recovery
  • Non-metal material recovery
  • Non-metal dismantling & sorting
  • Non-designated waste collection & transport
  • Non-designated waste treatment
  • Radioactive waste collection, transport & treatment
  • Designated waste collection & transport
  • Construction waste collection & transport
  • Designated waste treatment
  • Construction waste treatment

Notes
  • Water supply is restricted from non-resident address registration due to extensive intake/purification facilities and licensing requirements under the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act.
  • On-site inspection of whether you hold the mandatory waterworks facilities specified in the Water Supply Act (pipelines, purification plants, etc.) is essential, and given the high public nature of the business, business registration at a non-resident office is fundamentally impossible.
  • Domestic water supply
  • Industrial water supply

Notes
  • Sewage & excreta treatment has strict mandatory purification facility and equipment standards under environmental laws, so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • On-site inspection of statutory mandatory facilities—such as large purification facilities that can actually treat sewage/wastewater and garages for collection/transport vehicles—accompanies it, so business registration at a non-resident office is fundamentally impossible.
  • Sewage treatment
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Human excreta treatment
  • Livestock excreta treatment

Notes
  • Environmental remediation & restoration has strict requirements for technical personnel and dedicated equipment under the relevant laws, so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • Under the Soil Environment Conservation Act, etc., on-site inspection of analysis facilities for treating pollutants and storage facilities for heavy equipment accompanies it, so business registration at a non-resident office is fundamentally impossible.
  • Soil & groundwater remediation
  • Other environmental remediation & restoration

Electricity, Gas, Steam & Air Conditioning Supply

Notes
  • Electricity and gas supply is restricted from non-resident address registration due to large-scale infrastructure and statutory licensing requirements.
  • On-site inspection of vast physical infrastructure such as power plants and gas storage facilities is essential, and a safety management system under energy-related laws must be in place, so business registration at a non-resident office is fundamentally impossible.
  • Solar power generation
  • Nuclear power generation
  • Hydroelectric power generation
  • Thermal power generation
  • Wind power generation
  • Other power generation
  • Power transmission & distribution
  • Electricity sales
  • Fuel gas production & pipeline supply
  • Steam, cold/hot water & air conditioning supply

Accommodation & Food Services

Notes
  • Accommodation requires actual guest-room facilities and fire-safety/hygiene inspections under the relevant laws, so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • If you do not directly run accommodation facilities but do reservation agency, accommodation-facility management, or platform operation, application may be possible under 'online information provision' or 'management consulting'.
  • Under the Public Health Control Act, you must obtain a business registration certificate before business registration, and an on-site check of the actual facility always accompanies the filing.
  • Hotel business
  • Inn business
  • Resort condo operation
  • Guesthouse business
  • Other general & living-accommodation facility operation
  • Accommodation sharing business
  • Campsite business
  • Dormitory & gosiwon operation
  • Other accommodation business

Notes
  • Restaurants require completion of hygiene training and on-site inspection of actual cooking/seating facilities under the Food Sanitation Act, so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • If you do not actually cook food but do recipe development, menu consulting, or delivery-platform operation, application may be possible under 'online information provision' or 'management consulting'.
  • Under the Food Sanitation Act, you must obtain a business registration certificate from the competent public health center before business registration, and at filing the presence of cooking equipment and hygiene facilities is checked on-site directly.
  • Korean general restaurants
  • Chinese restaurants
  • Japanese restaurants
  • Western restaurants
  • Catering services
  • Chicken specialty shops
  • Gimbap & other quick-meal restaurants
  • Institutional cafeterias
  • Korean noodle specialty shops
  • Korean meat specialty shops
  • Korean seafood specialty shops
  • Other foreign-food restaurants
  • Pizza, hamburger, sandwich & similar restaurants
  • Takeout quick-food specialty shops
  • General entertainment bars
  • Dance-hall entertainment bars
  • Draft-beer specialty shops
  • Other bars
  • Bakeries
  • Coffee specialty shops
  • Other non-alcoholic beverage shops
  • Mobile restaurants
  • Animal cafés

Public Administration, Defense & Social Security Administration

Notes
  • Social security administration is a public domain handled exclusively by the government and public institutions, so business registration by private operators (individuals/corporations) is legally impossible.
  • These categories correspond to administrative services for public welfare, such as national pension, health insurance, and industrial accident insurance.
  • If you are preparing related consulting or agency business, consider private-sector categories such as 'management consulting'.
  • Health insurance
  • Industrial accident & other social security insurance
  • Pension

Notes
  • Public administration is a classification for the administrative execution of the national and local governments, so for-profit registration by private operators (individuals/corporations) is legally impossible.
  • These categories are the business classifications of public institutions such as legislation, judiciary, public safety, and fire service.
  • If you are preparing government-related consulting or administrative-task agency work, consider private-sector categories such as 'management consulting'.
  • Legislative bodies
  • Central supreme executive bodies
  • Local administrative executive bodies
  • Fiscal & economic policy administration
  • Other general public administration
  • General support administration for government bodies
  • Education administration
  • Culture & tourism administration
  • Environment administration
  • Health & welfare administration
  • Other social service management administration
  • Labor administration
  • Agriculture, forestry & fisheries administration
  • Construction & transport administration
  • Postal & telecommunications administration
  • Other industry promotion administration
  • Foreign affairs administration
  • Defense administration
  • Courts
  • Prosecution
  • Correctional institutions
  • Police
  • Fire stations
  • Other judicial & public order administration
  • Social security administration

Healthcare & Social Welfare Services

Notes
  • Healthcare requires medical-institution establishment permission (filing) under the Medical Service Act, with on-site inspection of actual treatment facilities and medical equipment, so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • Office-centric related businesses that are not direct medical practice—such as 'medical device sales', 'health functional food distribution', and 'medical consulting & software development'—can be registered as non-resident smoothly.
  • Medical device sales may require a storage warehouse in addition to office space at the public health center filing, but for office services centered on consignment shipping, there are cases where non-resident registration is possible.
  • Nursing hospitals
  • Dental hospitals
  • Oriental medicine hospitals
  • General hospitals
  • General hospitals (small)
  • General clinics
  • Radiology & pathology testing clinics
  • Dental clinics
  • Oriental medicine clinics
  • Other healthcare
  • Similar medical services
  • Ambulance services
  • Public health medical services

Notes
  • Social welfare services require residential/activity facilities and a dedicated office under the Social Welfare Services Act, etc., so non-resident address registration is restricted.
  • Visiting welfare services such as home-care centers require an independent space with a minimum office area (about 16.5㎡ or more) and communication facilities under the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act.
  • Social welfare counseling service provision
  • Other non-residential welfare services
  • Elderly nursing welfare facility operation
  • Residential welfare facility operation for the physically disabled
  • Residential welfare facility operation for the mentally ill, intellectually disabled & drug-addicted
  • Residential welfare facility operation for children & women
  • Other residential welfare facility operation
  • Childcare facility operation
  • Vocational rehabilitation center operation
  • Comprehensive welfare center operation
  • Visiting welfare service provision
  • Elderly care welfare facility operation

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