D-10-1 Job-Seeking Visa After Graduating from a Korean University: Eligibility, Documents, and Internship Scope

To continue job hunting in Korea after graduating, Korean university graduates and prospective graduates should first align the D-2 expiration date with the date when graduation or expected-graduation proof can be issued, then choose either the general job-seeking D-10-1 route or a direct change to an employment status of stay according to their actual purpose. Graduation alone does not automatically change D-2 to D-10-1, so schedule an application to change status of stay with the immigration/foreigners office having jurisdiction over your address before your current period of stay expires.

The preparation sequence is to confirm eligibility, determine whether the points system is waived, prepare the documents and job-seeking activity plan, manage job seeking and internships, and then change to a regular employment status of stay. Separating the materials and timing for the applicant, university, and hiring organization at each step makes it possible to manage the full schedule from just before graduation to before work begins.

Start with a timeline for before and after graduation

1. Confirm who is eligible to apply

Study in Korea lists the following D-2 holders as eligible to apply for a change to the general job-seeking D-10 status.

• Graduates or prospective graduates of associate degree programs at Korean junior colleges
• Graduates or prospective graduates of bachelor’s degree or higher programs at Korean universities
• People who have completed or are expected to complete a research course at an academic or research institution

The general description of the job-seeking D-10 status covers people with at least a bachelor’s degree who meet the points requirements, and also includes holders of associate degrees earned in Korea. Graduates and prospective graduates of Korean junior colleges should use proof of associate-degree graduation or expected graduation to confirm whether they are eligible to apply for the change.

Prospective graduates should confirm with their university when the certificate can be issued and set an application date before the D-2 expiration date. Graduates should record both the degree acquisition date and current period of stay to schedule the visit reservation and document preparation for the immigration/foreigners office having jurisdiction over their address. Even if a person falls within the eligible group, the permission decision is made after review of the individual’s submitted documents and stay record.

2. Choose the route that matches your actual purpose after graduation

The purpose of stay stated in the application and the actual activity plan should point to the same route. First distinguish whether there is no employment contract yet, whether a contract and the requirements for an employment status are already in place, or whether the person is preparing a technology startup.

After choosing the route, align the job-seeking activity plan, internship offer, and employment contract so that they describe the same purpose and duties.

3. Graduates of Korean universities should check the points-system exemption conditions

Study in Korea states that graduates of regular Korean universities can receive an exemption from the points system for general job seeking if they satisfy the following two sets of conditions.

The Korean-language or social-integration evidence must be one of the following.

1. A valid TOPIK Level 4 or higher score report
2. A pass on the Stage 4 midterm evaluation of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program
3. Placement in Stage 5 through the pre-assessment of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program

Prospective graduates should manage the determination of change-of-status eligibility and the points-system exemption as separate items on the timeline. Prospective graduates may be eligible to apply for the change, but the degree-and-period condition for the points-system exemption is based on the date an associate degree or higher was actually obtained, so confirm exemption eligibility using the degree acquisition date and available supporting documents.

Applicants who meet the exemption conditions should include the relevant evidence with the common submission documents. The exemption applies to the points system; the change-of-status application, identity and education verification, submission and review of the job-seeking activity plan, and checks of the individual’s stay history and additional documents still proceed.

4. Complete the basic submission documents and job-seeking activity plan

According to Study in Korea guidance for job seekers holding D-2 status, the basic submission materials are as follows.

After preparing the basic list, check HiKorea’s application forms and visit-reservation guidance and the requirements of the immigration office having jurisdiction over your address, then add any individual additional documents to the same file.

Write the job-seeking activity plan in the actual order of execution

The job-seeking activity plan should connect the following three elements.

• Target occupation: State what kind of work you are looking for in the selected professional field.
• Schedule: State the order in which you will apply, interview, train, and intern during the job-seeking period.
• Activity method: Separate the organizations you will apply to, the materials you will prepare, and the planned activities at each stage.

If you choose general job seeking, align the duties in the plan with those in the actual internship offer. If the actual purpose is a technology startup, first organize the status-of-stay route as a technology-startup route. If hiring or an activity is not yet confirmed, distinguish the confirmed state of preparation from the next planned action.

5. Confirm duties and duration before starting job seeking, training, or an internship

The hiring organization should not provide only the company name or the Korean job label 인턴 (“intern”); it should specify the actual duties, contract type, planned start date, and planned period. The applicant should add the accumulated internship period to date and past stay and employment history to confirm whether the activity is permitted.

Record activities carried out under D-2 separately before and after the status change

6. When an employment contract is confirmed, connect it to a change to an employment status

D-10-1 is not a general work permit. If a regular employment contract is signed while job seeking, proceed to a change to an employment status such as E-1 to E-7 that matches the contracted duties and the applicant’s qualifications. The applicant and hiring organization should align the actual duties in the contract, the applicant’s qualifications, the change-application date, and the work start date.

The basis for choosing the change route is not only the company’s intention to hire, but also the duties stated in the employment contract and the applicant’s qualifications. Use those two materials to set the application documents and work start date.

Checklist to complete before the period of stay expires

• [ ] I checked the current D-2 period-of-stay expiration date on my Residence Card.
• [ ] I confirmed with the university the date when a graduation certificate or expected-graduation certificate can be issued.
• [ ] I chose the route that matches my actual purpose among general job-seeking D-10-1, direct change to an employment status, and technology startup.
• [ ] Based on my degree acquisition date, I checked the requirement that no more than 3 years have passed for graduates of Korean universities.
• [ ] I prepared the applicable evidence among a valid TOPIK Level 4 or higher score, passing the Stage 4 midterm evaluation of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program, and placement in Stage 5 through its pre-assessment.
• [ ] I prepared the integrated application form, passport, Residence Card, fee, and education/transcript records.
• [ ] I aligned the target occupation, schedule, and activity methods in the job-seeking activity plan with my actual plan.
• [ ] If I have an internship offer, I checked the actual duties, contract type, cumulative period, past history, and start procedure.
• [ ] If I had activities under D-2, I organized when they end, continue, or change based on the status-of-stay change date.
• [ ] I checked HiKorea for the immigration office having jurisdiction over my address, visit reservation, application forms, and additional documents.
• [ ] I set the change-application date and the date when activities can begin before my current period of stay expires.

Official verification channels

• Employment Information for International Students | Study in Korea
• Employment System for Foreigners | Study in Korea
• HiKorea
• Immigration Contact Center 1345
• Immigration/foreigners office having jurisdiction over your address

When an individual check is needed, put your current status of stay and expiration date, degree or expected-graduation proof, actual duties, contract type and planned start date, cumulative internship period, and past stay and employment history on one page, then confirm the required documents and the date when activities may begin through HiKorea, 1345, or the immigration/foreigners office having jurisdiction over your address.