D-10-3 Advanced Technology Intern Visa Korea — Eligibility, THE Top-200 / QS Top-500 Universities & Pathway to E-7
D-10-3 is a separate subtype of the D-10 job seeker visa, created in August 2022, for students and recent graduates of top-ranked overseas universities who intern in an advanced technology field at a qualifying Korean company or research institute. It sits alongside D-10-1 — you do not need to hold D-10-1 first. From abroad it is issued only through a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서) applied for through the host company.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed September 2026
Review & source basis
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
September 4, 2026
Source references
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
Who qualifies for D-10-3?
D-10-3 is strictly defined — both the intern and the internship company must meet specific criteria:
For the applicant: • Must be a current student (bachelor's level or above) in an advanced-technology field, or a graduate whose degree was awarded less than 3 years ago • Must be under 30 years old (under 35 with a master's degree or higher) • The university must be ranked in the THE World University Rankings top 200 or the QS World University Rankings top 500 (main campus only) — this is a requirement, not a bonus factor
For the internship company: • Must be an employer in a designated advanced technology sector: semiconductors, AI, biotech/pharmaceutical, aerospace, clean energy, quantum computing, advanced display, next-generation communications (6G+), advanced robotics • Must be one of: a listed Korean company with an advanced-technology research facility; a Korean company with a recognized corporate research institute or R&D department (기업부설연구소 / 연구개발전담부서); a designated advanced-technology company (첨단기술기업); a venture company confirmed by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; or a national/public, specified or government-funded science and technology research institute • D-10-3 interns may not exceed 20% of the host's Korean employees • Must provide a formal internship agreement (인턴십 계약서) — not just a volunteer or shadowing arrangement
D-10-3 terms and conditions
Duration: D-10-3 is its own D-10 sub-status, not part of D-10-1. Stay is granted 1 year at a time (never longer than the internship contract), up to 3 years in total.
Work scope: The D-10-3 intern can work at the internship company as part of their job-seeking activity. The key distinction from a regular E-7 employee: • D-10-3 is still legally a 'job seeker' status — the internship is the job-seeking activity • The company cannot treat the D-10-3 intern identically to a full employee under labor law • Paid internship stipends are permitted within limits — the exact parameters are set by the internship agreement
Conversion to E-7: The primary purpose of D-10-3 is to lead to E-7 employment at the same advanced tech company. If the company wishes to hire the intern permanently after the internship:
- Submit an E-7 application during or at the end of the internship period
- If you interned on D-10-3 for 1 year or more (within the last 3 years) and are hired in your internship field at a salary at or above the previous year's per-capita GNI, the E-7 education and experience requirements are waived
- The E-7 application from a D-10-3 intern at the same sponsoring company is given priority processing
D-10-3 vs D-10-1 vs D-10-2: choosing correctly
| D-10-1 General | D-10-2 Startup Prep | D-10-3 Tech Intern | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | General job seekers | Startup founders | Students and recent graduates of top overseas universities |
| Key requirement | Degree plus points test (or an exemption) | Degree plus IP, OASIS or K-Startup route | THE top-200 / QS top-500 overseas university; under 30 (35 with master's+) |
| Activity | Job seeking (interviews, networking) | Startup program prep | Internship at advanced tech company |
| Company required? | No | No (OASIS enrollment) | Yes (advanced tech sector) |
| Duration | Up to 3 years or 1 year, by points | Up to 3 years or 1 year, by qualifying route | Up to 3 years (1 year per grant) |
| Conversion path | E-series / F-2-7 | D-8-4 startup | E-7 at same company (expedited) |
If you are a recent graduate under 30 from a THE top-200 or QS top-500 overseas university and have secured an internship offer from a Samsung semiconductor R&D division, D-10-3 is the correct category.
Tips from 행정사s
Confirm the internship company qualifies as an advanced tech sector employer before applying for D-10-3 — not every tech company is on the qualifying list.
D-10-3 has an age limit: you must be under 30, or under 35 if you hold a master's degree or higher, and a graduate's degree must be less than 3 years old.
Start the E-7 conversion process early — 2–3 months before the D-10-3 internship ends — to ensure continuous authorized stay.
Need help with this?
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Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
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HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
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Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
Frequently asked questions
I studied at a top-300 university, not top-200. Can I still get D-10-3?
It depends on which ranking. The manual requires a university ranked in the THE World University Rankings top 200 or the QS World University Rankings top 500 (main campus only), shown with ranking evidence from the last 3 years. A university ranked around 300 in QS qualifies; one ranked around 300 in THE and outside the QS top 500 does not. The ranking is a requirement — an employer's sponsorship cannot outweigh it.
Can I do a D-10-3 internship at multiple companies?
One host at a time, but you can change hosts. If you move to another qualifying company or institute to continue an advanced-technology internship, report the change to immigration within 15 days of the move; the report is rejected if the new host does not meet the D-10-3 requirements.