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Work visas

South Korean D-10 Job Seeker Visa

Temporary status letting qualified foreign nationals stay in Korea to seek employment or prepare a start-up.

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Under review — check current rules

Points criteria, qualifying-degree rules and permitted period of stay for D-10 are unverified here and must be confirmed with the Korea Immigration Service.

Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official South Korea government website before you apply.
On this page
Official name
Job Seeking (D-10)
Route type
Job-search / start-up preparation visa
Work permitted
Job-seeking only; switch to a work visa to be employed
Maximum stay
Up to 6 months initially, extendable
Extensions are assessed and the total permitted period is capped — confirm current limits with Korea Immigration Service.
Validity
Visa valid for 3 months from issuance
You must enter Korea within 3 months of the visa being issued.
Number of entries
Single entry
Processing time
Around 2 weeks minimum
May take longer if additional verification is required.
Where to apply
A Korean embassy/consulate, or change of status in Korea via HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) where eligible

Who it is for

  • Graduates of Korean universities seeking professional employment
  • Qualified professionals preparing to move into an E-series work visa
  • Prospective technology start-up founders in the preparation phase

How to apply

  • Apply at a Korean mission or change status in Korea via HiKorea if eligible
  • Provide evidence of qualifications, points/eligibility criteria and funds
  • Switch to a work visa once a qualifying job offer is obtained

Requirements

  • Meet one of the recognised eligibility routes: a graduate of a Korean junior college or higher within the last 3 years; a graduate of a university ranked in the Times Higher Education World Top 200 within the last 3 years; or someone who worked for a Fortune Global 500 company for 1 year or more within the last 3 years
  • Intend to seek professional employment (in fields qualifying for E-1 to E-7 visas), undertake job-related training, or prepare a technology start-up
  • Show sufficient funds to support yourself during the stay (embassy checklists commonly reference around KRW 900,000 per month)
  • Switch to the appropriate work visa (e.g. E-7) once a qualifying job offer is secured — D-10 itself does not authorise employment

Documents you may need

  • Completed visa application form with a recent passport photo
  • Passport (original plus a copy of the bio-data page) valid for at least 6 months
  • A detailed plan for seeking employment in Korea
  • Evidence of your qualifying credential (degree certificate, university ranking evidence, or proof of Fortune Global 500 employment)
  • Recent bank statements showing sufficient funds
  • Tuberculosis test certificate where applicable

Frequently asked questions

  • No. The D-10 lets you stay in Korea to look for a job, train or prepare a start-up, but it does not authorise paid employment. Once you have a qualifying job offer you must change to the relevant work visa, such as an E-7, before starting work.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.

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