The D-10 Job Seeker Visa is the most practical option for foreigners looking for work in Korea.
Whether you've graduated as a student, built a strong career abroad, or want to start a new career in Korea, this visa is your answer.
This guide covers everything about the D-10 visa—from eligibility requirements to scoring calculations, required documents, actual application procedures, and what to do after obtaining the visa.
What is the D-10 Job Seeker Visa?
The D-10 Job Seeker Visa allows you to legally look for work in Korea. While tourist visas don't permit work, the D-10 visa lets you stay in Korea for up to 2-3 years while actively seeking employment.
The core purpose of this visa is "job seeking activities." It's not for working, but for finding work. However, limited work (internships, part-time jobs) is possible under specific conditions.
Types of D-10 Visas
Korea Immigration Service classifies D-10 visas into 3 categories:
D-10-1: General Job Seeker Visa
Most common type
Mainly for university graduates seeking employment
Points-based evaluation or special exemption available
D-10-2: Tech Startup Preparation Visa
For those preparing to start businesses in Korea
Patent applications, startup training completion, tech innovation preparation
Popular among startup founders but not commonly used by general applicants
D-10-3: Advanced Tech Internship Visa
For graduates from QS/THE top 200 universities worldwide
For internships at Korean conglomerates or tech companies
Offers the most rights (up to 3 years stay possible)
We'll mainly focus on D-10-1 (General Job Seeker Visa).
D-10 Visa Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
You must meet basic eligibility requirements to get a D-10 visa.
Basic Requirements (Mandatory)
1. Degree Requirement
Associate degree or higher required
Both Korean and overseas universities accepted
High school diploma alone is insufficient
2. Legal Stay Status (Must be legally in Korea)
Must be in Korea on tourist visa, student visa, or other legal status
Illegal stayers cannot apply
Overseas applications also possible (visit consulate)
3. Additional Basic Conditions
No D-10 stay of 6+ months within past 1 year
No previous visa rejections or deportation orders
No Korean law violations (serious violations: fines over 400,000 KRW)
D-10 Points System: What's Your Score?
To get a D-10 visa, you need 60+ total points and minimum 20 points from basic categories.
Basic Categories (20+ points required)
Age Points
20-24 years old: 10 points
25-29 years old: 15 points
30-34 years old: 20 points (maximum)
35-39 years old: 15 points
40-49 years old: 5 points
50+ years old: 0 points
Education Points
Base score (Bachelor's degree or higher):
Korean university graduate: 10 pts
Overseas university graduate: 10 pts
Bonus points:
QS World Top 500 university: +20 pts
STEM degree: +5 pts
High-income professional (doctor, lawyer, CPA, etc.): +5 pts
Examples:
30 years old, Korean university grad (BA): 20pts(age) + 10pts(degree) = 30pts (passes basic)
25 years old, QS 500 university grad: 15pts(age) + 10pts(degree) + 20pts(top uni) = 45pts
Elective Categories (Max 70 points)
1. Work Experience (Max 15 pts)
Domestic/overseas work experience:
Under 1 year: 0 points
1-2 years: 3 points
2-5 years: 7 points
5+ years: 15 points (maximum)
2. Korean Language Proficiency (Max 20 pts)
TOPIK Points:
TOPIK 1-2: 0 points
TOPIK 3: 5 points
TOPIK 4: 10 points
TOPIK 5: 15 points
TOPIK 6: 20 points (maximum)
Or Korean integration program completion: 5-15 pts
3. Technical Qualifications (Max 15 pts)
International patents: +5 pts
Professional certifications: +5 pts (medical, IT, etc.)
Academic publications: +5 pts
Industry awards: +5 pts
4. Korea-Related Activities (Max 20 pts)
Korean internship experience: +5 pts
Korean language training completion: +5 pts
Korean company work experience: +10 pts
Korea-related certifications: +5 pts
Calculation Example:
textBasic: 30pts (30yo, Korean uni grad) Electives: - 3 years work exp: +7pts - TOPIK 4: +10pts - Korean internship: +5pts Total: 30 + 7 + 10 + 5 = 52pts
- Problem: 52pts < 60pts = rejection
- Solution: Get TOPIK 5 (10→15pts) = 57pts, add Korean company exp (5→10pts) = 62pts pass
D-10 Visa Exemptions: Skip Points System?
Yes, possible. Certain conditions allow D-10 without points evaluation.
Exemption 1: Korean University Grad + Strong Korean Skills
Within 3 years of graduating Korean university with Bachelor's or higher:
TOPIK 4+ or
Social Integration Program Level 4 midterm pass or
Pre-evaluation Level 5 assignment (81+ pts)
Points evaluation waived, direct visa issuance.
Exemption 2: Professional Visa Holders (E-1~E-7)
Already working in Korea on E-1~E-7 visas:
Contract expired or
Legitimate resignation or
Company issues causing job loss
Points evaluation waived, D-10-1 change possible.
Exemption 3: Citizens of 21 Special Cooperation Countries
Designated 21 countries get automatic 20 base points + electives only.
(See Immigration website for specific 21 countries list)
D-10 Visa Required Documents (Complete Checklist)
D-10 applications require many documents. Missing even one can lead to rejection.
Mandatory Documents (All Required)
Basic Documents:
Passport (copy + original)
ID copy (if staying in Korea)
Alien Registration Card (if in Korea)
Application fee: 100,000 KRW (status change), 30,000 KRW (ARC issuance)
Application form (from Immigration)
Passport photo (4×3cm, within 6 months)
Education Proof:
Degree certificate or graduation certificate
University transcript (some cases)
Korean university grads: Auto-verified via school system (may be exempt)
Residence Proof:
Address proof (lease contract, studio lease, dorm certificate)
Or Korean friend/family address proof
Financial Proof:
Bank balance certificate
Minimum: 1M KRW × stay months
Example: 6 months stay → minimum 6M KRW
Job Search Plan:
Career goals
Next 6 months job search plan
Past 6 months job search records (applications, interviews)
Conditional Documents (If Applicable)
Korean Language Proof:
TOPIK certificate
Social Integration Program completion
Work Experience Proof:
Employment certificate (from company)
Pay stubs (last 3 months)
Employment insurance proof
Technical/Patent Proof:
Patent registration copy
Application proof
Professional certification copy
High-Income Professional Proof:
Previous year income proof (CPA certified)
Official income certificate from home country
Health Check:
TB screening certificate (government-designated hospital/health center)
Valid 3 months
Recommendation Letters (Bonus Points):
Employment recommendation (Korean company already promised hire)
Government agency recommendation
Diplomat recommendation
Conclusion: D-10 is Your Korea Career Starting Point
The D-10 Job Seeker Visa is the most realistic option for foreigners wanting to work in Korea. Low scores? Learn TOPIK. Missing docs? Supplement them. Lacking qualifications? Build experience.
Remember These 3 Things:
D-10 = "job seeking status," not employment. Must continuously prove job search to maintain visa.
Learning Korean raises scores AND makes employment much easier. TOPIK 4 is practically essential.
Once visa approved, START job hunting immediately. Attend interviews, find companies, apply for internships. This maintains your visa.
If you want to work at good Korean companies, D-10 is your first step. Fighting!
You can find the Korean government site with below link
https://livingandworkingkoreaguide.blogspot.com/2026/01/visa-govkr-korean-government-official.html
