D-10 job-seeking visa: how to look for work in Korea after graduation

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

When you get a job offer

1. 1

   Employer checks the conditions

   The employer checks that the job is an E-7 occupation and that the salary meets the standard.

2. 2

   Sign the contract

   Sign a labor contract whose job title and duties match the job you will apply for.

3. 3

   Prepare documents

   Collect your degree, contract and the company’s documents. Immigration may ask for more.

4. 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. 5

   Start after approval

   Do not start full-time work until the change is approved.