H-2-WORKING 指南

Confirm you are 25 or older, a national of one of the seven eligible countries, and have documentable ethnic Korean descent. Begin gathering your 호적 or equivalent family register. For Chinese nationals, this is typically the 户籍 (hukou) or a certificate issued by the relevant Chinese authority proving Korean ancestry.

Chinese nationals must register during the official registration window at the Korean government's designated H-2 portal. Check the Korean consulate in your city (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Wuhan) for the current schedule. Missing the window means waiting for the next cycle.

Submit your application at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country. Required documents: passport, application form, passport photo, proof of ethnic Korean descent (호적 or equivalent), criminal background check (apostilled, issued within 3–6 months), and medical examination certificate if required. For CIS applicants: contact your local Korean consulate for the current document list.

If approved, a 5-year multiple-entry H-2 visa is issued in your passport. This is the consular visa — it allows you to enter Korea. After each entry, you are authorised to stay for up to 3 years.

Within a set period of arrival, you must complete mandatory employment training (취업교육) — typically a 1-day session covering Korean labour law, your rights as a worker, and immigration rules. Check with the employment support centre (고용센터) in your area for the schedule.

After training, register at your local 고용센터 to access the job-matching system. Also visit the immigration office within 90 days of arrival to register as a foreign resident and obtain your ARC.