H-1 (Working Holiday) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What H-1 Is

H-1 is the Working Holiday visa for nationals of countries that have a working-holiday agreement or MOU with Korea. It is for people whose primary purpose is tourism, who may also take short-term work to help cover their travel/living costs while in Korea. Stay period is set by the specific bilateral agreement rather than a single fixed period ("협정상의 체류기간"), so terms vary by partner country.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Meets current nationality/age and other H-1 eligibility conditions.
• Purpose and plan align with working-holiday framework.
• Can provide required financial/support and identity documents.
• Activity plan remains within H-1 permitted boundaries.
• No unresolved immigration violations materially affecting eligibility.

3. Criteria Summary

• H-1 is not a points-based category.
• Review is eligibility-condition and purpose-authenticity driven.
• Country-specific arrangements can vary and evolve over time.
• Always check latest country-specific H-1 requirements before filing.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• H-1 is not an employer salary-threshold status.
• Permitted work is limited by H-1 framework and should remain compliant.
• Long-term or restricted-category work may require different status.
• Inconsistent declared purpose versus planned activity can create refusal risk.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• H-1 is not tied to one sponsor like employer-dependent work visas.
• Activity must remain within H-1 permitted categories and limits.
• If transitioning to another status, proper filing and timing are critical.
• Unauthorized activity can affect current status and future applications.

6. Required Documents

• Application set (form, passport, photo, fee proof).
• Country-specific H-1 eligibility documents (age/nationality etc.).
• Financial support and itinerary/purpose evidence.
• Any health/background documents required under current guidance.
• Additional mission-specific supporting records requested.

7. Fees and Processing

• H-1 issuance fees follow official schedules and bilateral practice.
• Processing varies by mission workload and seasonal demand.
• Eligibility-evidence gaps often trigger supplements.
• Apply with adequate lead time before travel window.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Nationality/age or other baseline eligibility conditions not met.
• Purpose/plan appears inconsistent with H-1 framework.
• Financial support evidence is insufficient or inconsistent.
• Submitted documents are incomplete or unverifiable.
• Prior immigration non-compliance history affects credibility.

9. FAQ