Stay in Korea to look for employment after graduating from a Korean university.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 2026
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
July 14, 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.
Stay Duration
D-10-1: max 3 years (1 yr/grant) if points ≥ 80 or special categories; max 1 year (6 mo/grant) if 60–79 pts. D-10-2: max 3 years (1 yr/grant) for patent holders, K-Startup Grand Challenge participants, or startup immigration points ≥ 35; max 1 year (6 mo/grant) for OASIS completers, IP applicants, or basic eligibility. D-10-3 (Advanced Tech Intern): max 2 years (1 yr/grant). D-10-T (Top Talent): max 2 years (1 yr/grant).
Processing
1–2 weeks
Visa Fee
$74.63 (status change) / $44.78 (extension)
Fees and processing times sourced from HiKorea & Ministry of Justice. Figures are updated periodically but may change — verify before submitting.
Readiness check
Use this quick self-check before you spend time on forms or book a consultation for Job Seeker Visa.
Next focus
Eligibility fit
I meet the core D-10 requirements and understand any sponsor, degree, income, family, or experience conditions that apply.
The D-10 visa (Job Seeker visa) allows foreign graduates of Korean universities and professionals to stay in Korea while actively seeking employment. It provides a bridge between completing a degree or previous work visa and obtaining a new work visa.
Foreign graduates of Korean universities (associate degree or higher), professionals who previously held an E-series work visa, tech startup founders (D-10-2), advanced technology interns (D-10-3), top-talent applicants (D-10-T, added April 2025), and overseas promising talent (유망인재 — age 29 or under, bachelor's degree or higher from a world top-200 university per THE or QS, or Korean studies major with TOPIK Level 6). As of October 2025, KIS established a new overseas promising talent pool (해외 유망인재 인재풀) to proactively identify and fast-track promising overseas candidates. First-time D-10 applicants from D-2 (student) visa are exempt from the points test.
D-10-1 (general): associate degree or higher from a Korean university, OR completion of E-1–E-7 employment
D-2 graduates changing to D-10 for the first time: automatically exempt from points test — 1 year granted
Points test required for renewals and non-D-2 applicants: minimum score of 60/120 (general); some nationalities 70/120
Korean language ability (TOPIK 3+ or KIIP Stage 3+) gives significant points and unlocks part-time work rights
Active job-seeking activity must be demonstrated at renewal
Delay and refusal risks
D-10 problems usually come from points, qualifying background, planned activities, or using D-10 for work that requires another status.
Education, work history, Korean study history, income, or recommendation points need documentary support. Unsupported claims do not help the score.
Manual basis: The D-10 manual includes point tables and proof rules for education, employment history, income, Korean study, and other scoring factors.
D-10 is for job seeking, internship where allowed, or startup preparation. Performing paid work before the correct status can damage the case.
Manual basis: The manual distinguishes job-seeking/startup preparation from activities that require E-series or other work authorization.
Recent immigration fines, certain criminal penalties, or an employer with hiring restrictions can block or complicate D-10 status change.
Manual basis: The D-10 restriction section references recent fines, law-violation review, and host-company employment restrictions.
If the plan is to move from D-10 to E-7, the intended occupation, degree, experience, and employer path should be plausible before filing.
Manual basis: The manual links D-10 job-seeking to later eligible work statuses and separately limits certain transitions and activities.
Source note
These are practical risk factors for Job Seeker Visa, not a complete list of legal refusal grounds. Final review can vary by nationality, filing channel, consulate, immigration office, and case facts.
Real-world scenarios
D-10 scenarios depend on whether the stay is for job seeking, startup preparation, or a bridge into a sponsored work visa.
You recently graduated in Korea and want time to interview before moving into E-7 or another sponsored status.
Main risk
D-10 is not a work visa. Your education, job-search plan, stay history, and future target role need to look credible.
Documents to prioritize
You are not ready for D-8 yet but want to use D-10 startup-preparation time to build the required evidence.
Main risk
Startup preparation must be concrete. Immigration may question a vague business idea with no program, IP, team, funding, or activity evidence.
Documents to prioritize
Valid passport + ARC
Visa change application form
Korean university graduation certificate OR proof of previous E-visa employment
Proof of financial ability (approx. ₩30,000,000 or employment history)
Job seeker activity records (interview confirmations, application receipts)
Recommendation letter from career center or employment agency
Apply before your current visa expires
Apply to change your status from D-2 or E-visa to D-10 at least 1 month before expiry. You must still be in valid status when you apply.
Show proof of job-seeking activity
Provide documentation that you are actively looking for work — job applications submitted, interview confirmations, or registration with employment agencies.
Receive your D-10 and continue searching
Use the period to network, attend job fairs, and apply to Korean companies. Once you receive a job offer, apply to change to an E-7 or appropriate work visa.
Browse verified rentals and housing guides for moving to Korea.
Need help with your D-10 visa?
Connect with a verified specialist who handles D-10 applications.
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Unfamiliar with a term? Browse the full Korea Visa Glossary
Visa Process
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.
Visa Process
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.
Visa Process
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.
Get instant answers to these visa questions with our Korea-focused AI assistant.
Specific tracks under the D-10 category. Pick the one that matches your situation for track-level documents, criteria, and filing notes.
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