The D-4-2K (K-Trainee) visa was established in October 2025 as a new sub-category of the D-4 training visa framework. It is specifically for employees of Korean companies' overseas subsidiaries in 9 designated countries who come to Korea to intern at the Korean headquarters or branch. D-4-2K is different from D-3 (industrial trainee) in that it targets white-collar and management-track employees, not factory-floor technical trainees.
D-4-2K is the 'K-Trainee' (케이-트레이니) corporate internship visa for foreign employees of Korean company overseas subsidiaries.
Target population: Employees of Korean conglomerates' overseas operations who:
• Are currently employed at an overseas subsidiary, affiliate, or joint venture of a Korean company
• Have been selected by their employer for an internship at the Korean headquarters or Korean branch
• Are coming to Korea specifically to develop skills, build corporate culture alignment, or receive management training
9 designated eligible countries (as of October 2025):
Nationals of countries not on this list are not eligible for D-4-2K. If the Korean company's subsidiary is in a country not on this list, the D-3 (industrial trainee) or C-3-4 (short-term training) route may be alternative options.
For the applicant:
• Must be an active employee of the qualifying overseas subsidiary (employment contract + salary proof required)
• The internship must be sponsored formally by the Korean headquarters — not a personal arrangement
• The internship must have a defined program and duration
For the Korean company:
• Must be a legally registered Korean company (법인)
• Must have an established overseas subsidiary, affiliate, or joint venture in one of the 9 eligible countries
• Must submit a formal internship program plan (인턴십 계획서) to the immigration authority via the 사증발급인정서 (Certificate of Visa Issuance) process
Stay duration: D-4-2K is issued for the duration of the internship program, typically 3–12 months. It is not renewable for extended open-ended stay.
Work permission: Similar to D-3, the D-4-2K holder is in a training/internship status, not full employment. The Korean company cannot use D-4-2K interns as a substitute for regular Korean employees.
D-4-2K uses the 사증발급인정서 (Certificate of Visa Issuance / CVI) application process — meaning the Korean headquarters applies on behalf of the intern from Korea, and the intern receives the CVI to take to the Korean embassy/consulate in their home country.
Process:
Key documents for the intern:
• Valid passport
• Visa application form + photo
• CVI reference number from the Korean headquarters
• Employment certificate from the overseas subsidiary (재직증명서)
• Internship acceptance letter from the Korean headquarters
| D-4-2K K-Trainee | D-3 Industrial Trainee | |
|---|---|---|
| Target | White-collar/management interns | Factory/technical trainees |
| Established | October 2025 | Long-standing |
| Country restriction | 9 designated countries | Corporate group or ODA countries |
| Application route | CVI (headquarters applies) | CVI (company applies) |
| Duration | 3–12 months | Up to 2 years |
| Training type | Corporate management/skills | Industrial/manufacturing technology |
For engineers and technical staff from the 9 countries doing hands-on manufacturing training: D-3 may still be applicable. For management trainees, HR employees, finance staff, and business-track interns: D-4-2K is the appropriate category.
The CVI application is submitted by the Korean headquarters — as the intern, you should work with your company's HR team in Korea (or Korea headquarters) to initiate the process.
Check whether your country is on the 9-country list. If your country was recently added or the list has been updated, confirm with the Korean embassy in your country.
D-4-2K does not count toward work visa eligibility criteria. If you want to work in Korea after the internship, you will need to apply for E-7 or another qualifying work visa separately.
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Our specialists handle d-4-2k k-trainee visa korea — corporate internship for overseas subsidiary employees (2025) cases regularly and know exactly what Korean immigration officers look for.
Find a SpecialistCan I convert from D-4-2K to a work visa after my internship?
D-4-2K does not automatically convert to an employment visa. After the internship, if you want to work in Korea, you must qualify for and apply for an E-7 (or other work visa) based on your own credentials and a job offer from a Korean company. The internship experience may help strengthen an E-7 application but does not guarantee it.
My company has a subsidiary in Australia, which is not on the 9-country list. What are the alternatives?
If your country is not on the D-4-2K eligible list, options include: D-3 (industrial trainee) for technical/manufacturing training under the corporate group framework, C-3-4 (short-term training up to 90 days), or D-7 (intracompany transfer) if you qualify as a manager/specialist being transferred to the Korean entity.