D-4-2K K-Trainee Visa Korea — Corporate Internship for Overseas Subsidiary Employees (2025)
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.
Written by James Chae — 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.
What is D-4-2K and who is it for?
D-4-2K is the 'K-Trainee' (케이-트레이니) corporate internship visa for foreign employees of Korean company overseas subsidiaries.
Target population: Two groups: (1) university students whom the company sponsors under an industry–academia agreement with a local university, and (2) professionals employed at the company's local corporation. The second group covers employees 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):
- Vietnam
- China
- Thailand
- Japan
- India
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Philippines
D-4-2K visas are only allowed for these nine countries, and the Korean company must have a local corporation or a branch (a liaison office does not count) operating there. 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.
Key requirements and how it works
For the applicant: • Must be one of the two invitee types in the manual: (1) a professional employed by the local corporation who will intern at the Korean head office in one of the 77 E-7-1/E-7-2 occupations (production-line workers are excluded; a certificate of employment showing duties and length of service is required), or (2) a sponsored university student — in the 3rd year or above of a bachelor's course, or a master's/doctoral student, at a local university that has an industry–academia agreement with the company, aged 29 or under, with TOPIK Level 2 or higher • 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 as a single-entry visa for a stay of 6 months or less. The internship may not exceed 6 months in principle; where more time is found necessary it can be extended, but not beyond 1 year from the date of entry.
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.
Application process — 사증발급인정서 route
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:
- Korean headquarters HR prepares the internship program plan and supporting documents
- The inviting Korean company submits the CVI application (사증발급인정 신청) to the immigration office with jurisdiction over its location
- MOJ reviews and issues the CVI (processing time: typically 5–10 business days)
- The overseas employee receives the CVI reference number and applies at the Korean embassy/consulate in their country
- Consulate issues the D-4-2K visa based on the CVI
- Enter Korea and register ARC if staying more than 90 days
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 vs D-3: key differences
| 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 | None (depends on the company link: overseas investment, technology export or plant export) |
| Application route | CVI (headquarters applies) | CVI (company applies) |
| Duration | Up to 6 months (extendable to at most 1 year from entry) | 6 months in principle (extendable to at most 2 years from entry) |
| 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.
Tips from 행정사s
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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Frequently asked questions
Can 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.