D-10 job-seeking visa: how to look for work in Korea after graduation
D-10 (job seeking) lets you stay in Korea while you look for a professional job. Learn who can apply, what you can and cannot do, and how to move to E-7.
D-10 is a status for job seeking. It lets you stay in Korea while you look for a professional job, the kind of job that can lead to an E-7 visa or a similar work status. It is not a work visa. Its purpose is to give you time to find the right employer.
Who can apply
- Graduates of Korean universities (associate degree or higher) can generally apply without the points test, if they apply within a set period after graduation.
- Other applicants, such as some graduates of foreign universities, usually need to meet a points system (for example, education, age and Korean ability).
- Many students apply to change from D-2 to D-10 before their D-2 stay ends.
- The criteria can change. Check HiKorea for the current rules.
What you can and cannot do
- You can: search for jobs, apply, go to interviews and attend job fairs.
- You can: do an internship under certain conditions. Some internships need a separate permission, so check with immigration first.
- You can: work part-time, but only with permission from immigration and within the allowed hours.
- You cannot: start full-time work before your status is changed (for example, to E-7).
What to prepare
- A job-search plan (which jobs, which industries, what timeline)
- A CV and cover letter in Korean
- A TOPIK score, if you have one. Korean ability matters to employers and in the points test.
- Your degree certificate and transcript
- Records of your job search, such as applications and interview invitations. You will need them when you extend.
D-10 vs E-7
| Item | D-10 (job seeking) | E-7 (specific activities) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Look for a professional job | Work in a designated professional or skilled job |
| Full-time work | Not allowed | Allowed at the approved employer |
| Job offer | Not needed | Needed, from an employer that meets the conditions |
| Stay | Limited period, extended with proof of job search | Based on your job; can be extended while you keep that job |
When you get a job offer
- 1
Employer checks the conditions
The employer checks that the job is an E-7 occupation and that the salary meets the standard.
- 2
Sign the contract
Sign a labor contract whose job title and duties match the job you will apply for.
- 3
Prepare documents
Collect your degree, contract and the company’s documents. Immigration may ask for more.
- 4
Apply for change of status
Apply to change from D-10 to E-7 at your immigration office. You can book a visit on HiKorea.
- 5
Start after approval
Do not start full-time work until the change is approved.
Before you act
Official sources
Written by KOVIA 편집팀
