D-10 Job Seeker Visa in Korea: Points, Documents and What It Allows

What the status is for

D-10 covers two situations.

• D-10-1 (job seeking) — you are looking for employment in a field that would qualify for a professional work visa such as E-7.
• D-10-2 (start-up preparation) — you are preparing to launch a business, often after a technology start-up programme.

The most common route into D-10 is a change of status from D-2 (student) after graduating from a Korean university, or from E-7 after leaving a job while looking for the next one.

What it is not is a work permit. The status exists so you can stay in the country while searching. Taking paid work without the correct permission is a status violation, and violations surface later when you apply for something else.

The points assessment

Eligibility is scored rather than pass/fail on a single criterion. The published table covers:

• Age — younger bands score higher
• Education — degree level, with additional weight for a degree earned in Korea
• Korean language ability — TOPIK level or completed KIIP stage
• Work experience — relevant professional experience
• Prior status in Korea — graduating from a Korean institution helps
• Additional items — such as awards, research output or a recommendation

Applicants who studied in Korea usually clear the threshold comfortably because the degree and language items align. Applicants applying from abroad with no Korean connection find it harder.

The item weights and the pass mark are revised periodically. Check the current notice on HiKorea before assembling documents, as of August 2026.

Documents

Requirements differ by office, but applications typically include:

• Application form and passport
• Alien registration card (if changing status inside Korea)
• Degree certificate and academic transcript
• Korean language certificate (TOPIK or KIIP completion)
• Career certificate for claimed work experience
• Evidence of funds to support yourself during the search
• Job-search plan or start-up plan

The funds requirement is the one most often underestimated. You are expected to show you can support yourself without working, and the amount is assessed against your stated stay.

Documents issued abroad generally need apostille or consular authentication plus a Korean translation. That takes weeks, so start early if your degree is from outside Korea.

Working, extending and moving on

Part-time work Limited part-time activity may be permitted with prior permission from the immigration office. It is not automatic, and the permitted hours and job types are restricted. Working first and asking later is the pattern that causes problems.

Internships and trials A company trial period is still work. If a company asks you to start before your status changes, that is a risk you carry, not the company.

Extensions D-10 is granted for a limited period and extended on review. Offices commonly ask for evidence that you have actually been searching — application records, interview confirmations, recruitment agency registration. Keep a running record from day one rather than assembling it the week before.

Changing to a work visa Once you have an offer, you change status to the appropriate category (commonly E-7). The employer’s eligibility matters as much as yours: company size, revenue and the ratio of foreign to Korean staff are all assessed.

Start the change of status before your D-10 expires. Letting it lapse while paperwork is in progress creates a separate problem.