Korea's D-10-1 (General Job Seeker) visa switched to a points-based system in October 2018. To qualify, you must score at least 60 points out of 190 total, with at least 20 of those points coming from the 'basic items' (age + education). This guide lays out the complete 2026 scoring table from the official residency manual so you can calculate your score before applying.
The points table has four components:
Passing threshold: Total ≥ 60 points AND basic items ≥ 20 points.
Special note: Nationals of certain countries designated by the Ministry of Justice face a higher threshold of 80 points. Check the current Ministry of Justice list for your nationality.
Age (max 20 points):
| Age range | Points |
|---|---|
| 20–24 years old | 10 |
| 25–29 years old | 15 |
| 30–34 years old | 20 |
| 35–39 years old | 15 |
| 40–49 years old | 5 |
| 50 years old or above | 0 |
Age is calculated as full years (만 나이). A person who is 49 years 11 months old scores 5 points.
Education (max 30 points):
| Degree | Points |
|---|---|
| Korean 2-year college (전문학사) | 15 |
| Bachelor's degree (domestic or overseas) | 15 |
| Master's degree (domestic or overseas) | 20 |
| Doctoral degree (domestic or overseas) | 30 |
Notes: Degree certificates only (not diplomas, certificates of completion, or professional licenses). Overseas 2-year college degrees are excluded (Korea cannot verify them consistently). The Korea National University of Arts' 예술전문사 program is treated as equivalent to a master's degree.
Work experience is scored based on the past 10 years. Both Korean and overseas experience count, and they can be combined (double-counted).
Domestic (Korea) work experience:
| Duration | Points |
|---|---|
| 1–2 years | 5 |
| 3–4 years | 10 |
| 5 years or more | 15 |
Overseas work experience:
| Duration | Points |
|---|---|
| 3–4 years | 5 |
| 5–6 years | 10 |
| 7 years or more | 15 |
Only experience in your degree's relevant/similar field counts. Internships and work done during the job-seeking period itself are excluded. You must provide a certificate of employment specifying dates, location, and job role.
This category rewards having studied in Korea as part of a degree or formal training program.
Korean university degree (within 3 years of graduation):
| Degree level | Points (within 3 years) | Points (3+ years after graduation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-year college (전문학사) | 30 | 5 |
| Bachelor's | 30 | 10 |
| Master's | 30 | 15 |
| Doctoral | 30 | 20 |
Other Korean study (1 year or more):
| Program type | 12–18 months | 19+ months |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate researcher (D-2-5) | 3 | 5 |
| Exchange student (D-2-6) | 3 | 5 |
| Government/public institution training (D-4-2) | 3 | 5 |
| Private institution training (D-4-6) | 3 | 5 |
| Language study (D-4-1) | 3 | 3 (no increase) |
Note: Korean study and Korean degree points can be combined — for example, scoring points for both a Korean bachelor's degree AND prior language study (D-4-1) is allowed.
Korean language is measured through TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) or KIIP (Korea Immigration & Integration Program).
| Level | Points | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK 5–6 / KIIP Stage 5 or final exam pass | 20 | TOPIK score certificate or KIIP certificate |
| TOPIK 4 / KIIP Stage 4 or intermediate exam pass / KIIP pre-test 81+ | 15 | TOPIK score certificate or KIIP certificate |
| TOPIK 3 / KIIP Stage 3 or KIIP pre-test 61+ | 10 | TOPIK or KIIP |
| TOPIK 2 / KIIP Stage 2 or KIIP pre-test 41+ | 5 | TOPIK or KIIP |
TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. KIIP stage completion certificates do not expire.
Bonus points can push applicants with moderate basic scores over the 60-point threshold:
Violations of Korea's immigration law or other laws result in score deductions:
Immigration law violations (5-year window):
| Penalty amount | Deduction |
|---|---|
| KRW 3 million or more (cumulative) | -30 |
| KRW 1–3 million (cumulative) | -10 |
| KRW 500,000 – 1 million | -5 |
Criminal sentences:
| Penalty | Deduction |
|---|---|
| Fine of KRW 3 million or more | -30 |
| Fine of KRW 2–3 million | -10 |
| Fine of KRW 200,000 – 2 million | -5 |
Note: ①+② deductions are combined (not double-counted for the same incident). Also note: if within the past 3 years you received immigration penalty of KRW 3 million+ OR a criminal fine of KRW 3 million+, you are disqualified entirely — not just deducted.
Several categories of applicants are exempt from the 60-point requirement:
Need help with this?
Our specialists handle d-10-1 job seeker visa score calculator: full 2026 points table cases regularly and know exactly what Korean immigration officers look for.
Find a SpecialistI am 32 with a master's degree from a foreign university and no Korean study experience. What is my score?
Basic items: Age (30-34) = 20 points + Education (Master's) = 20 points = 40 basic item points. Optional items: No Korean study = 0, no Korean language = 0, work experience (depends on your history). If you have 1-2 years of domestic Korea work experience, add 5. Bonus: if your master's is from a THE/QS top university, add 20. Without the bonus: 40-45 points — not enough. With the global university bonus: 60-65 points — you pass. Bottom line: foreign-educated applicants without Korean study often rely heavily on the global university bonus or Fortune 500 bonus.
My TOPIK 4 certificate expired 3 months ago. Can I still use it?
No. TOPIK certificates are valid for 2 years from the test date. An expired certificate does not count for scoring. You need to retake TOPIK or use KIIP completion as an alternative.
I scored exactly 60 points. Will I be approved?
60 points is the passing threshold, but it does not guarantee approval. Immigration officers also evaluate the quality of your job-seeking plan, the plausibility of your activities, and your overall immigration history. A borderline score with a strong job-seeking plan and clean record will typically pass.
I'm from a country on the Ministry's 'higher threshold' list. What do I do?
Nationals of certain designated countries need 80 points instead of 60 to qualify for D-10-1. The list of designated countries is published by the Ministry of Justice. If your country is on the list, you need to identify which scoring components can get you to 80. Bonus points (global university, Fortune 500, ministry recommendation) become even more critical in these cases.