Korean H-1 Visa for UK Citizens

Route fit

Who this page is for

UK citizens considering Korea's working holiday route.

与韩国签订工作假期协议国家的公民，年龄18至30岁（部分协议延至35岁）。符合条件的国家包括澳大利亚、新西兰、加拿大、英国、爱尔兰、法国、德国、日本、台湾及其他约25个国家。

Why it appears in the 英国 guide

根据韩英双边协定，18~35周岁英国公民最长可打工度假居留2年。比标准H-1协定（18~30周岁，1年）条件更宽松。

Documents

Country-specific document focus

Prepare proof of age, passport validity, funds, travel plan, insurance, and the consulate-specific application forms.

Check current UK quota, age, and maximum-stay rules before planning housing or work commitments.

Keep the working-holiday purpose clear; this route is not a substitute for a fixed full-time professional job sponsorship.

Review any work restrictions before accepting hospitality, teaching, entertainment, or long-term office roles.

Core H-1 checklist preview

- 有效护照原件（须确保剩余有效期超过预计居留期限）
- 签证申请表 + 护照照片1张
- 资金证明文件（余额证明等）
- 回程机票或相当金额的资金证明
- 覆盖整个居留期间的旅行/健康保险凭证
- 犯罪记录证明、健康诊断书（因使领馆及国籍不同要求各异；申请前请务必向相关使领馆确认）

Open full checklist

Document authentication

Authentication focus for United Kingdom documents

Use this as a preparation map before filing. Authentication, apostille, consular confirmation, translation, and original-document rules can change by document type, consulate, and receiving Korean office.

Open checklist

Authentication route

UK-issued public records should be checked against the current competent-authority or consular requirements for the specific Korean consulate handling the case.

Translation check

English records are easier to review, but Korean translation may still be requested for supporting explanations or non-standard documents.

Identity consistency

Keep passport, funds, insurance, itinerary, and application-form names consistent, including middle names and hyphenated names.

Timing risk

Check quota and consular intake timing before booking flights or housing for a working-holiday plan.

H-1 document note

For H-1, funds, insurance, itinerary, age/nationality proof, and consulate-specific forms should support a temporary working-holiday purpose.

Primary source checks before relying on this page

HiKorea - Korean visa & residency manual Korea Immigration Service HCCH Apostille status table and competent authorities

Risk review

What can delay or weaken the case

The main risk is using H-1 for the wrong purpose, especially when the applicant already has a fixed Korean employer.

Quota timing and local consulate intake windows can matter more than general eligibility.

Work outside the allowed scope can create problems for extension, status change, or later Korean visas.

Visa-manual risk themes for H-1

Job duties do not match the visa activity

Korean work visas are activity-specific. A broad title or informal role description is weaker than a contract and duties that match the status precisely.

Sponsor-side records are incomplete

Business registration, tax, employment, wage, or compliance problems at the sponsor can affect the applicant's review.

Prior violations or unresolved compliance issues

Prior overstays, fines, unauthorized work, tax delinquency, or criminal history can trigger closer review even when the basic visa category looks correct.

Decision path

Is H-1 still the right route?

Use these checks before committing to documents, appointments, or employer/school timelines. If a nearby route fits better, open the comparison before filing.

Start with the current page, compare adjacent routes, then use the checklist only after the route is stable.

1H-1 vs H-2H-1 is working holiday. H-2 is an overseas-Korean working-visit route with a different eligibility basis and work framework.

Stay with H-1 when

- You are 18–30 (or 18–35 for select countries) and your nationality has a working holiday treaty with Korea
- You want maximum job flexibility — able to work in any sector without restrictions
- You want to experience Korea for up to 2 years with no professional job offer required

Check H-2 when

- You are an ethnic Korean (조선족 or 고려인) from China or one of the 14 eligible CIS/other countries
- You want a longer authorized stay (up to 5 years total)
- You want to build experience toward E-7-4 skilled worker status or F-4 overseas Korean status

Compare H-1 and H-2

2H-1 vs E-7If a Korean employer is central to the plan, a sponsored work visa may be more appropriate than working holiday.

Stay with H-1 when

- If a Korean employer is central to the plan, a sponsored work visa may be more appropriate than working holiday.

Check another route when

- Use this path when the comparison does not fit the current filing facts.

Review E-7 skilled work

3H-1 vs F-1-DWorking holiday and digital nomad status solve different problems: local temporary work vs overseas remote work.

Stay with H-1 when

- Working holiday and digital nomad status solve different problems: local temporary work vs overseas remote work.

Check another route when

- Use this path when the comparison does not fit the current filing facts.

Review digital nomad guide

Timeline

Best next sequence

Check quota and consulate intake timing before booking flights.

Prepare funds and insurance evidence before making non-refundable plans.

If the goal is a career role in Korea, compare H-1 against E-7 before filing.

Common filing mistakes

Avoid these before filing

Using H-1 for a fixed career job

H-1 is a working-holiday route. If the main purpose is a long-term role with a Korean employer, compare E-7 or another sponsored status.

Booking travel before checking quota and intake timing

Quota, appointment availability, and local consulate instructions can affect timing even when basic eligibility looks clear.

Writing a plan that looks like permanent relocation

The travel plan, funds, insurance, and work plan should support a temporary working-holiday purpose.

Accepting restricted work

Some jobs may be outside the allowed H-1 scope. Confirm the specific work type before signing a contract.

Assuming H-1 can always convert to E-7 later

A later status change depends on the employer, occupation, timing, and immigration review. It is not automatic.

Compare this route

Nearby visa options to check

H-1 vs H-2

H-1 is working holiday. H-2 is an overseas-Korean working-visit route with a different eligibility basis and work framework.

Compare H-1 and H-2

H-1 vs E-7

If a Korean employer is central to the plan, a sponsored work visa may be more appropriate than working holiday.

Review E-7 skilled work

H-1 vs F-1-D

Working holiday and digital nomad status solve different problems: local temporary work vs overseas remote work.

Review digital nomad guide

FAQ

H-1 questions for UK Citizens

Can uk citizens use H-1 for a full-time job in Korea?

H-1 is a working-holiday route, not a standard employer-sponsored job visa. If the main purpose is a fixed career role, compare E-7 or another work status before filing.

What should uk citizens check before applying for H-1?

Check current quota, age rules, stay limit, insurance, funds, itinerary, consulate instructions, and whether the planned work type is allowed under working-holiday rules.

Can uk citizens switch from H-1 to a work visa in Korea?

Sometimes, but it depends on the target visa, employer sponsorship, timing, and status-change rules. Do not assume H-1 automatically converts to E-7 or another long-term status.

Does H-1 replace K-ETA or visa-free entry for uk citizens?

No. H-1 is for a longer working-holiday stay. Visa-free or K-ETA entry is usually for short stays and does not authorize the same work plan.

Keep going from this visa case

Move between nationality, visa type, and hub pages to check the same issue from the most useful angle.

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审核与来源依据

Manual-backed issues for H-1 applicants from 英国

Source review focus

Who this page is for

Country-specific document focus

Authentication focus for United Kingdom documents

Authentication route

Translation check

Identity consistency

Timing risk

What can delay or weaken the case

Is H-1 still the right route?

Stay with H-1 when

Check H-2 when

Stay with H-1 when

Check another route when

Stay with H-1 when

Check another route when

Best next sequence

Pre-file self-check for this case

Avoid these before filing

Using H-1 for a fixed career job

Booking travel before checking quota and intake timing

Writing a plan that looks like permanent relocation

Accepting restricted work

Assuming H-1 can always convert to E-7 later

Nearby visa options to check

H-1 vs H-2

H-1 vs E-7

H-1 vs F-1-D

H-1 questions for UK Citizens

Can uk citizens use H-1 for a full-time job in Korea?

What should uk citizens check before applying for H-1?

Can uk citizens switch from H-1 to a work visa in Korea?

Does H-1 replace K-ETA or visa-free entry for uk citizens?

Keep going from this visa case

Other 英国 routes

H-1 for other nationalities

Hubs and action pages

Ask K-VISA AI

查找认证出入境行政士。

审核与来源依据

Manual-backed issues for H-1 applicants from 英国

Source review focus

Who this page is for

Country-specific document focus

Authentication focus for United Kingdom documents

Authentication route

Translation check

Identity consistency

Timing risk

What can delay or weaken the case

Is H-1 still the right route?

Stay with H-1 when

Check H-2 when

Stay with H-1 when

Check another route when

Stay with H-1 when

Check another route when

Best next sequence

Pre-file self-check for this case

Avoid these before filing

Using H-1 for a fixed career job

Booking travel before checking quota and intake timing

Writing a plan that looks like permanent relocation

Accepting restricted work

Assuming H-1 can always convert to E-7 later

Nearby visa options to check

H-1 vs H-2

H-1 vs E-7

H-1 vs F-1-D

H-1 questions for UK Citizens

Can uk citizens use H-1 for a full-time job in Korea?

What should uk citizens check before applying for H-1?

Can uk citizens switch from H-1 to a work visa in Korea?

Does H-1 replace K-ETA or visa-free entry for uk citizens?

Keep going from this visa case

Other 英国 routes

H-1 for other nationalities

Hubs and action pages