Korean D-10 Visa Changes 2022

The D-10 visa is Korea’s job searching visa. It is most common among new graduates and those who are in between jobs. Previously, the visa had a strict point system and those on this visa were unable to work. However, the D-10 visa restrictions have now become more relaxed.

Introduction

The D-10 visa is a job searching visa and it enables you to stay in Korea for up to 2 years while searching for employment.

After graduating from a university in Korea with your bachelor’s degree or master’s degree the D-10 visa is a great option. Most companies require a 3 month trial period before they will issue a working visa. On a D-10 you can not only look for jobs, but also register your 3 month trial as an internship.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the conditions of the D-10 visa have changed frequently over the past few years. These are the newest updates.

D-10 Point System Exeptions

Before, in order to receive and extend a D-10 visa, you needed to reach 60 points according to Korea’s visa point system. However, there are now a few groups who are exempt from this requirement and can get a D-10 visa even if they do not have 60 points.

1. Graduated from a college or higher in Korea less than 3 years ago and has a TOPIK 4/ KIIP 4. (D-2 Visa + TOPIK 4)
2. Those who were on an E series visa and have completed their contract or have left with reasonable cause.

For those who violated the law, you will not be exempt from the point system if the crime was committed within 3 years (Previously, it was 10 years).

*If you do not qualify for the exemption, Click Here to read more about the Korean visa point system.

D-10 Minimum Deposit

D-2 Visa + TOPIK/KIIP above 4

For those moving from a D-2 student visa to a D-10 visa, proving a minimum bank deposit is no longer required. In fact, in most cases they will not look at your bank statement at all.

However, when you renew your D-10 visa or move to a work or residence visa, they will review your bank transaction history from the start of your D-10 visa. You will not be issued a visa if there is any evidence of unregistered work or suspicious transactions. If you are on a D-10 visa, be very careful to have a clean transaction history if you want to stay in Korea.

Others

For those transitioning to a D-10 visa from something other than a student visa, you will be required to have a minimum deposit in a Korean bank account under your name. The current minimum balance required is:

894,614 Won per month X 6 months = 5,367,684 Won (Aug 2022)

When you renew your visa, it will be extended according to your bank account balance and the current minimum living expense balance. In addition, you will need to show your bank transaction history from the start of your D-10 visa. You will not be issued a visa if there is any evidence of unregistered work or suspicious transactions. If you are on a D-10 visa, be very careful to have a clean transaction history if you want to stay in Korea.

Working on a D-10 Visa

In the past, those on this visa were were only allowed to do internships at companies that could sponsor E-7 visas. But now, those who were previously on student visas can do parttime jobs as well.

All of the following conditions must be met in order to do a parttime job on a D-10 visa.

✅ Graduated from college or graduate school in Korea less than 3 years ago.

✅Have TOPIK or KIIP level 4.

✅Have never changed to E1~E7 visa.

✅ Have never committed a violation related to the Immigration Department or violated other laws of Korea (except for paying administrative fines)

Details of D-10 Part-time Work Permission

Only those who meet the above conditions can do part-time work on a D-10!!

Work Fields

You are allowed to work in any field except: Manufacturing industry, construction industry, English kids cafe (조업, 건설업, 영어키즈카페)

Work Hours

Those with TOPIK or KIIP level 4 can work for up to 20 hours per week. However, you can work an unlimited number of hours on the weekend.

However, if you have a TOPIK or KIIP score of 5 or higher, you can work up to 30 hours/week (unlimited at the weekend).

Registering Your Part-time Work

Required documents:

1. Passport
2. ARC
3. 120,000 Won
4. Application form
5. Diploma
6. Original and Photocopy of Labor Contract
7. Photocopy of Buisness Registration Certificate
8. TOPIK/ KIIP Certificate

Note: In the labor contract, it must clearly state the job content, working time, working day, and per-hour wage.