Korea D-10 Job Seeking — Sub-codes and the Part-time Work Exception

Overview

D-10 (Job Seeking) supports training and job-hunting aimed at employment in the E-1 to E-7 professional fields.

It now runs four sub-codes, including D-10-T Top Talent introduced in April 2025, and D-10-1 general job seekers may qualify for a part-time work exception.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• (D-10-1 / D-10-T) Job-seeking at Korean companies and organisations, including short internships paid a training allowance before formal employment
• (D-10-2) Startup preparation such as participating in startup immigration education programmes, preparing and filing IP applications, and preparing to establish a startup corporation (internship activity restricted)
• (D-10-3) Internship in advanced technology fields under an internship employment contract with a qualifying company or institution

Who Qualifies

• Persons seeking training or employment in fields corresponding to E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6 or E-7 (E-6-2 entertainment work is excluded — only fine arts and sport are allowed; semi-professional and skilled-worker E-7 categories cannot apply from abroad)
• Persons preparing a technology startup falling under item (c) of the D-8 category
• Students or recent graduates (within 3 years) in advanced technology fields at overseas universities in the THE top 200 or QS top 500, under 30 years old (35 for master's and above), undertaking an advanced-technology internship at a qualifying company
• Holders of a master's degree or above from a university in the world top 100 seeking training or employment in Korea

Required Documents

• Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34), passport and ARC, fee
• Degree certificate (a graduation certificate is also accepted)
• Evidence for the points-based assessment where applicable
• Proof of living costs (exempt for certain first-time changes to D-10)
• Internship employment contract (for D-10-3 and similar)
• Proof of residence

Application Process

1. Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
2. Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
3. Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
4. File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
5. Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
6. Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.

Key Points

• Part-time work exception: D-10-1 holders must meet all three conditions — (1) an associate degree or higher from a Korean university obtained less than 3 years ago, (2) KIIP level 4 or above or TOPIK level 4 or above, and (3) no prior stay under E-1 to E-7 (D-10-2 and D-10-3 are excluded).
• Permitted fields are manufacturing (KIIP level 4 or above) and agriculture (no language requirement). For manufacturing, TOPIK holders are excluded — only KIIP level 4 or above qualifies.
• Permitted hours are 25 per week on weekdays with no limit on weekends and holidays; those who have completed KIIP level 5 or above may work 30 hours on weekdays.
• The points-based exemption covers not only status change to D-10 but also obtaining a D-10 visa abroad within one year of graduation (those who previously held D-10 are subject to the points system, as it is not a first change).
• Documents issued in Korea must normally be dated within 3 months unless another validity period applies.
• Documents already on file in your alien registration record need not be resubmitted.
• Health certificates, drug test results and pre-employment medical reports must be submitted sealed by the issuing hospital (do not open).
• You must be in Korea when applying; leaving the country after filing may result in refusal.
• Screening fees are non-refundable once the application is accepted.
• The head of the Immigration Office may add or waive documents where necessary for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

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