D-3-1 (Legacy Technical Trainee) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What D-3-1 Is

D-3-1 is a technical training (기술연수) code rather than a work status. Trainees are production staff sent by a qualifying overseas establishment. Registrants from January 2007 onward were folded into D-3-11, so a current application is far more likely to belong to one of the three newer codes than to this one.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Enrollment/placement matches current D-3-1 industrial trainee scope.
• Host institution/company training documents satisfy current standards.
• Can prove adequate financial/living support where required by case type.
• Identity/background and trainee records are complete and consistent.
• No unresolved immigration non-compliance materially affecting eligibility.

3. Criteria Summary

• D-3-1 is not a points-based visa category.
• Review focuses on trainee-purpose authenticity and host/program credibility.
• Manual revisions may adjust evidence detail and operational handling for trainee pathways.
• Always verify current D-3 subtype guidance before filing.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• D-3-1 is a trainee status and does not use E-series salary-threshold logic.
• Any compensation/allowance documents must align with permitted trainee framework.
• Unauthorized employment outside trainee scope can cause compliance action.
• Inconsistent role/compensation evidence often triggers supplement requests.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• D-3-1 is tied to approved trainee host and declared training scope.
• Host/program changes should be reported through proper immigration workflow.
• Activity beyond approved trainee scope requires separate lawful status/permission.
• Unreported status-condition changes can impact extension and future status changes.

6. Required Documents

• Application set (form, passport, photo, fee proof).
• D-3-1 trainee placement/admission documents from eligible host.
• Training plan and host qualification documents required by current guidance.
• Financial/support evidence where required for stay period.
• Additional office-specific supporting records requested during review.

7. Fees and Processing

• D-3 issuance/extension fees follow official schedules in manuals.
• Processing times vary by office workload and file complexity.
• Host/training-document inconsistency commonly causes supplement cycles.
• Apply early before trainee start dates and status-expiry windows.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Trainee program/host eligibility is not sufficiently proven.
• Training-purpose evidence is weak, inconsistent, or unverifiable.
• Application appears to pursue non-trainee work activity.
• Prior immigration non-compliance or unreported condition changes.
• Submission relies on outdated D-3 subtype assumptions after revisions.

9. FAQ