Part-time employment requirements eased for master's and doctoral students in science and engineering; broader exemption from D-8-4 technology-startup visa points system

The Ministry of Justice has released system-improvement measures for international students and technology entrepreneurs in the results of its 2026 policy-proposal review. They ease requirements for part-time employment by international master's and doctoral students in science and engineering and expand exemption from the points system for the technology-startup visa (D-8-4).

The Ministry of Justice said it adopted 14 of 22 proposals received from industry, labor and education, with five already reflected in policy and nine under way. The announcement indicates a direction of improving both a limited route that lets international students work while continuing study and research, and a route into technology entrepreneurship after graduation.

Part-time employment for master's and doctoral students in science and engineering

The item the Ministry of Justice presents as reflected is an easing of part-time-employment requirements for international students in master's and doctoral programs in science and engineering. It is of direct interest to graduate students in engineering and natural-science fields because it can connect research and class schedules with experience in industry.

However, "easing" does not mean automatic permission to work for every student. Detailed conditions concerning residence status, enrollment, Korean-language ability, field of work, work hours, university confirmation and immigration permission may apply separately. Before applying, check the Ministry of Justice's latest residence guidance together with the university international office's permission procedure.

Technology-startup visa D-8-4

The second item is a broader exemption from the points system for the D-8-4 technology-startup visa. It means the system will be adjusted to reduce the application of the points system for entrepreneurs who meet certain requirements under the existing framework that evaluates technology, intellectual property and startup capability. For international students, it signals that they may consider residence through entrepreneurship as well as employment after graduation.

The detailed eligible groups, requirements and implementation timing for the broader points-system exemption were not disclosed in this announcement. Actual eligibility must be checked through the Ministry of Justice's latest notices and individual consultation.

Checklist for applicants

The key point in this announcement is to distinguish the direction of the system from its implementation conditions. When the timing and detailed requirements for an item the Ministry of Justice says it has reflected are disclosed for actual applications, applicants should recheck against their own residence status and documents.