D-10 Job Seeker Visa

The D-10 visa allows foreigners to stay in Korea while actively searching for employment or preparing to start a business. It is one of the most flexible visas available and is popular among recent graduates and career changers.

Who Qualifies?

• Graduates from Korean universities (bachelor's degree or higher)

• Foreigners who have completed a degree from an overseas university ranked in the top 500 globally (QS, Times Higher Education, or Shanghai rankings)

• Former holders of E-1 through E-7 visas whose employment has ended

• Foreigners with professional qualifications recognized by the Korean government

• Applicants must demonstrate they are actively job seeking or preparing to start a business

Documents Required

• Valid passport

• Visa application form

• Passport-sized photo — white background, taken within 6 months

• Degree certificate — apostilled or notarized. Korean university graduates need official transcript.

• Proof of financial ability — bank statement showing minimum 3,000,000 KRW or equivalent

• Application fee — around 60,000 KRW

• For former E-visa holders: previous employment contract and proof that employment has ended

• For business preparation applicants: business plan and proof of investment funds

Application Process

• Step 1: Gather all required documents

• Step 2: Apply at your nearest Korean Immigration Office or Korean embassy/consulate abroad

• Step 3: Submit documents and pay the application fee

• Step 4: Wait for approval — processing takes approximately 2–4 weeks

• Step 5: Once approved, apply for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days

Duration & Extension

• Initial stay: 6 months

• Can be extended up to 1 year total with proof of ongoing job search activity

• To extend, visit your local immigration office before your visa expires

• Extension requires: proof of job search activities (interview records, application history), updated bank statements

• Once you secure employment, you must change your visa status to the appropriate work visa (E-7, E-2, etc.)

What You Can & Cannot Do

• ✅ Actively search for jobs in Korea

• ✅ Attend job interviews and career fairs

• ✅ Prepare a business plan or startup

• ✅ Take Korean language classes

• ❌ Work part-time or full-time without a separate work permit

• ❌ Start a business without converting to an appropriate business visa

Converting to a Work Visa

Once you secure a job offer, you must convert your D-10 to the appropriate work visa:

• E-7 (Special Occupation) — Most common for professional roles in Korea

• E-2 (Language Instructor) — For native English/language teachers

• E-3 through E-6 — For research, technology, arts, and entertainment roles

Apply for the visa change at your local immigration office with your new employment contract before your D-10 expires.

Job Search Resources in Korea

• Work Together Korea: www.worktogether.or.kr — Government job portal for foreigners

• Saramin: www.saramin.co.kr — Korea's largest job portal

• LinkedIn Korea — Many multinational companies post English-language positions

• Korea Tech Job (Wanted): www.wanted.co.kr — Popular for tech and startup roles

• Seoul Global Center: global.seoul.go.kr — Free career counseling for foreigners in Seoul

Tips

• Keep records of all job applications and interviews — you may need to show these when extending your visa

• Maintain sufficient funds in your bank account throughout your stay

• The Seoul Global Center and Busan Global Village offer free job search assistance and resume review for foreigners

• Consider taking a TOPIK (Korean language proficiency test) — many Korean employers value Korean language skills

• Start your visa conversion process well before your D-10 expires — processing can take several weeks