H-1 Working Holiday Visa

The H-1 Working Holiday visa allows young people from eligible countries to live and work in Korea for up to 1 year. It is one of the easiest visas to obtain and is perfect for those who want to experience Korean life before committing to a long-term visa.

Eligible Countries

Korea has Working Holiday Agreements with the following countries:

• Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Ireland

• Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Austria, Netherlands

• Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Spain

• Argentina, Chile, Israel, UK

Quotas apply for each country — check the Korean embassy in your country for current availability as spots fill up quickly.

Who Qualifies?

• Citizens of an eligible country (see list above)

• Aged 18–30 (some countries allow up to 35 — check with your embassy)

• No dependents accompanying you

• Hold a valid passport with at least 1 year remaining

• Have sufficient funds — minimum 3,000,000 KRW (or equivalent) to support initial stay

• Have not previously held a Working Holiday visa for Korea

• Clean criminal record

Documents Required

• Valid passport — at least 1 year validity remaining

• Visa application form

• Passport-sized photo — white background

• Proof of funds — bank statement showing minimum 3,000,000 KRW

• Return flight ticket or proof of funds to purchase one

• Travel insurance — valid for the entire stay in Korea

• Application fee — varies by country, around 40,000–60,000 KRW equivalent

What You Can Do on H-1

• ✅ Work in most industries — retail, hospitality, teaching, office work

• ✅ Travel freely throughout Korea

• ✅ Study Korean — language courses up to 6 months

• ✅ Experience Korean culture and daily life

• ❌ Cannot work at the same employer for more than 6 months

• ❌ Cannot work in adult entertainment or illegal industries

• ❌ Cannot extend or renew the H-1 visa

• ❌ Cannot bring dependents

Finding Work in Korea on H-1

• English teaching — Most common job for H-1 holders. Language institutes (hagwons) and private tutoring.

• Hospitality — Hotels, restaurants, and cafes in tourist areas often hire English speakers.

• IT and tech — Startups in Seoul are increasingly open to hiring foreign talent.

• Modeling and entertainment — Popular in Seoul for those with the right look.

Job search resources:

• Dave's ESL Cafe: www.eslcafe.com — Teaching jobs in Korea

• Craigslist Seoul: seoul.craigslist.org — Various job listings

• Facebook groups — "Working Holiday Korea", "Jobs in Korea for Foreigners"

Converting to Another Visa

If you find a job you love and want to stay longer, you can convert your H-1 to a long-term work visa:

• E-2 — If you are a native English speaker and get a teaching job

• E-7 — If you secure a professional role with a Korean company

• D-10 — If you want to continue job searching after your H-1 expires

Apply for the visa change at your local immigration office before your H-1 expires.

Tips

• Apply as early as possible — quotas fill up fast, especially for popular countries like Australia and Canada

• Arrive with enough savings to cover your first 1–2 months while job hunting

• Seoul, Busan, and Jeju are the most popular destinations for Working Holiday visitors

• Join Working Holiday Korea Facebook groups before arriving — great for housing tips and job leads

• Learn basic Korean before arriving — even a little goes a long way in daily life

• Keep records of your employment history — useful if you apply for a long-term visa later

Useful Resources

• Korea Immigration Service: www.immigration.go.kr

• Korean embassy in your country — Check specific quota and application dates for your nationality

• HiKorea: www.hikorea.go.kr

• Immigration helpline: 1345 (English available)