D-10-3 is a new subtype of the D-10 job seeker visa added in October 2025, specifically designed for foreign job seekers who want to intern at an advanced technology company in Korea as part of their job search. It is only available to D-10-1 holders without prior E-1 through E-7 Korean work history — it is a 'first Korean work experience' pathway, not an upgrade for experienced foreign workers.
D-10-3 is strictly defined — both the intern and the internship company must meet specific criteria:
For the applicant:
• Must currently hold D-10-1 (general job seeker) status in Korea
• Must NOT have prior Korean work experience on an E-1 through E-7 visa — this is a 'first Korean work experience' pathway only
• Ideally graduated from a university ranked in the QS World University Rankings top 200 (or equivalent THE / US News ranking) in a relevant STEM field — though the top-200 criterion is a positive factor rather than a hard cutoff in some MOJ interpretations
For the internship company:
• Must be an employer in a designated advanced technology sector: semiconductors, AI, biotech/pharmaceutical, aerospace, clean energy, quantum computing, advanced display, next-generation communications (6G+), advanced robotics
• Must be a qualified employer registered with the relevant ministry (MOTIE, Ministry of Science and ICT, etc.) for the advanced tech sector
• Must provide a formal internship agreement (인턴십 계약서) — not just a volunteer or shadowing arrangement
Duration: D-10-3 is a sub-status within D-10-1 — the intern remains on D-10 status but with the internship as their authorized activity. The internship lasts for the duration of the D-10-1 remaining stay period (up to 6 months, or up to 12 months if extended).
Work scope: The D-10-3 intern can work at the internship company as part of their job-seeking activity. The key distinction from a regular E-7 employee:
• D-10-3 is still legally a 'job seeker' status — the internship is the job-seeking activity
• The company cannot treat the D-10-3 intern identically to a full employee under labor law
• Paid internship stipends are permitted within limits — the exact parameters are set by the internship agreement
Conversion to E-7: The primary purpose of D-10-3 is to lead to E-7 employment at the same advanced tech company. If the company wishes to hire the intern permanently after the internship:
| D-10-1 General | D-10-2 Startup Prep | D-10-3 Tech Intern | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | General job seekers | Startup founders | First-time tech interns |
| Prior Korean work | Allowed | Allowed | Must NOT have prior E-series |
| Activity | Job seeking (interviews, networking) | Startup program prep | Internship at advanced tech company |
| Company required? | No | No (OASIS enrollment) | Yes (advanced tech sector) |
| Duration | 6 months (max 1 year) | 1 year | Within D-10-1 stay period |
| Conversion path | E-series / F-2-7 | D-8-4 startup | E-7 at same company (expedited) |
If you are a recent graduate from a top-200 university with no Korean work history and have secured an internship offer from a Samsung semiconductor R&D division, D-10-3 is the correct category.
Confirm the internship company qualifies as an advanced tech sector employer before applying for D-10-3 — not every tech company is on the qualifying list.
D-10-3 is only for those without prior E-series work history in Korea. If you have already worked on E-7 or E-2, you do not qualify for D-10-3.
Start the E-7 conversion process early — 2–3 months before the D-10-3 internship ends — to ensure continuous authorized stay.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 d-10-3 advanced technology intern visa korea — eligibility, qs top-200 universities & pathway to e-7 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
전문가 찾기I studied at a top-300 university, not top-200. Can I still get D-10-3?
The top-200 university criterion is described as a strong positive factor in the MOJ's D-10-3 guidelines. In practice, the advanced technology sector employer's sponsorship and the strategic nature of the internship role may outweigh the ranking criterion for applicants from strong institutions outside the strict top-200. Consult an 행정사 or the immigration office directly for your specific situation.
Can I do a D-10-3 internship at multiple companies?
No — D-10-3 is tied to a specific advanced tech employer. You can only intern at one company on D-10-3. If the internship ends early or you change companies, you revert to standard D-10-1 job seeker status.