이민 전문가
비자 신청을 도와드릴 인증된 전문가
The visa is Korea's job seeker and startup preparation visa for foreigners who want to find work or start a business in Korea after graduating or completing a work assignment. Most people know D-10 as a generic 'job seeker visa,' but it actually has four distinct subtypes — each designed for a different situation.
검토 기준
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.
최종 검토일
2026년 4월 22일
출처 기준
신청 전 주의사항
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.
The most common subtype. D-10-1 is for foreigners who have graduated from a Korean or overseas university (bachelor's or higher) or who have completed a work visa assignment in Korea and want to stay to look for new employment.
Eligibility:
• Korean university graduate (bachelor's or higher)
• OR overseas university graduate in a field relevant to an E-7-eligible occupation, with relevant work experience
• OR former E-series work visa holder who has left their job and wants to search for new employment
Stay duration: 6 months (extendable once for 6 additional months, maximum 1 year total)
Work restriction: Cannot work commercially during D-10 without changing status. The visa is for job-seeking activities only — attending interviews, taking language courses, networking.
2025 D-10-1 scoring criteria update:
As of 2025, immigration officers evaluate D-10-1 renewal applications using an updated criteria matrix that replaces the prior binary checklist. Key scoring dimensions:
| Criterion | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Educational qualification | High | Korean university grad scores highest; overseas grad requires field relevance |
| Prior Korea residency record | Medium | Prior E-series holders with clean record score higher |
| Language ability (Korean) | Medium | TOPIK score or KIIP enrollment improves evaluation |
| Active job-seeking evidence | High | Job interview records, employment agency registration, job fair attendance logs |
| Financial self-sufficiency | Medium | Bank balance covering living costs for extension period |
| Immigration compliance history | High | Any prior overstay or violation significantly lowers evaluation |
For the first-time extension (6 months → 1 year), officers focus heavily on active job-seeking evidence. Applicants should collect and bring job search records (면접확인서, 입사지원서, 헤드헌터 연락기록) to strengthen the renewal application.
D-10-2 is for foreigners who want to start a tech-based business in Korea. Holders must be enrolled in or have completed a government-recognized startup support program.
Eligibility:
• Must be enrolled in or have completed the OASIS program (Overseas Access to Startup & Investment in Korea) or an equivalent MOJ-approved startup accelerator
• Must have a concrete business plan for a technology-based startup
• Must demonstrate business founding capability (relevant education, experience, or funding)
Stay duration: 1 year (renewable while startup is actively progressing)
Pathway: D-10-2 is designed to transition holders into D-8-4 (startup visa) or D-8-1 (investment visa) once the business is incorporated and operational.
D-10-3 is a newer subtype for advanced technology sector interns — graduates of highly ranked universities who come to Korea for a structured internship in a strategic technology sector.
Eligibility:
• Graduate of a top-ranked global university (specifically, universities listed in the QS World Rankings top 200 in relevant fields)
• Internship offer from a Korean company in a designated advanced technology sector (semiconductors, AI, bio, aerospace, etc.)
• Valid job offer or internship agreement
Stay duration: Up to 1 year
Key benefit: D-10-3 holders have an expedited pathway to . The internship experience itself counts toward E-7 qualification after the period ends.
D-10-T was introduced in April 2025 as a premium job seeker track for the world's top-tier talent — specifically designed to attract highly specialized professionals and researchers to Korea.
Eligibility (any one of the following):
• PhD holder with research experience in a cutting-edge field (AI, biotech, quantum computing, semiconductors, aerospace, clean energy)
• Senior researcher or specialist with a publication record in a globally recognized field
• Award recipient at an internationally recognized level in a relevant technical domain
• Recommendation letter from a designated Korean government agency, KAIST, POSTECH, or equivalent institution
Stay duration: Up to 2 years (longer than standard )
Key benefits:
• No K-Point test required for F-2-7 conversion (exceptional talent exemption)
• Expedited processing at immigration offices
• Eligible for the 광역형 비자 (regional visa pilot) with enhanced support
• Access to government matching services connecting top talent with Korean companies
Summary comparison:
| D-10-1 | D-10-2 | D-10-3 | D-10-T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | General job seekers | Startup founders | Top-uni tech interns | World-class specialists |
| Stay | 6 months (1yr max) | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years |
| Work allowed? | No (job seeking only) | Startup prep only | Internship only | No (seeking only) |
| Pathway |
D-10-1 is only renewable once — after 1 year, you must either have a job offer and change to E-series, or depart Korea.
D-10-2 applicants: enroll in OASIS before applying — proof of enrollment is required for the application.
D-10-T applicants: gather all credentials (PhD certificate, publication list, award documentation) in apostilled form before applying.
While on D-10, you CAN take Korean language classes, attend startup events, and go to interviews — these are all permitted job-seeking activities.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 d-10 job seeker visa subtypes in korea — d-10-1, d-10-2, d-10-3, and d-10-t explained 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
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비자 절차
외국인등록증 (ARC)
외국인등록증(ARC)은 90일 이상 한국에 체류하는 외국인에게 발급되는 공식 신분증입니다. 은행 계좌 개설, 휴대폰 계약, 대부분의 공공 서비스 이용에 필수입니다.
비자 절차
하이코리아 (HiKorea)
하이코리아 사용법 (www.hikorea.go.kr) — 체류기간 연장, 체류자격 변경, 외국인등록증 갱신을 온라인으로 신청하는 방법. 처리 기간: 영업일 기준 3-10일.
비자 절차
체류기간 연장
체류기간 연장이란 현재 비자 또는 외국인등록증의 만료일 이후에도 한국을 출국하지 않고 합법적으로 체류를 이어갈 수 있도록 허가를 받는 절차입니다.
비자 절차
체류자격 변경
체류자격 변경이란 이미 한국에 체류 중인 외국인이 출국하지 않고 현재 비자 종류에서 다른 비자 종류로 전환하는 절차입니다. 예를 들어, 졸업 후 취업한 경우 D-2 유학 비자에서 E-7 특정활동 비자로 변경할 수 있습니다.
Can I extend D-10-1 beyond 1 year?
No. D-10-1 can be extended once for 6 months (total maximum 1 year). If you have not found employment after 1 year, you must depart Korea. If you are very close to receiving a job offer, an immigration officer may grant a brief extension at their discretion, but this is not guaranteed.
Can I work part-time while on D-10?
Generally no — D-10 is for job-seeking activities, not employment. Working commercially on D-10 without authorization is a violation. However, if you were previously authorized to work under a prior status and that authorization remains valid, check with an 행정사 about your specific situation.
What is the OASIS program for D-10-2?
OASIS (Overseas Access to Startup & Investment in Korea) is a government-run startup support program for foreign entrepreneurs. It includes business mentoring, co-working space access, visa support, and connections to Korean investors and accelerators. Enrollment in OASIS is a prerequisite for D-10-2. Visit the K-Startup website (kstartup.or.kr) for current application cycles.
I'm a PhD in AI — which D-10 should I apply for?
If you hold a PhD in a cutting-edge field (AI, biotech, semiconductors, etc.) with a research or publication record, D-10-T (Top Talent) is designed for you. It gives a 2-year stay and an expedited path to F-2-7 without a K-Point score test. Gather your PhD certificate, publication list, and a recommendation letter from a relevant Korean institution if possible.
작성자 James Chae — 엑스퍼트 사피엔스 공동창업자
플랫폼 전문 분야: 출입국 컨설팅 및 비자 서비스 · 검토됨 4월 2026
| E-series / F-2-7 |
| D-8-4 startup |
| E-7 |
| F-2-7 (no points test) |
If you are a recent Korean university graduate, D-10-1 is your standard option. If you want to start a business, look at D-10-2 combined with OASIS enrollment. If you are a top researcher, D-10-T offers the most flexibility and the fastest path to long-term residency.
