D-10 Job-Seeking Visa
For job-seeking, professional careers, tech startup prep, advanced-tech internships, and top-tier talent
The D-10 visa is a residence status for foreigners job-seeking in fields under E-1 (Professor) through E-7 (Specific Occupation), preparing a tech startup, or interning in advanced-tech fields. General job-seekers (D-10-1) must score at least 60 points on the points system or qualify for an exemption. Each issuance grants up to 1 year, with a total cap of 3 years.
Check before you use this
- Official sources: Hi Korea and related government guidance
- MyanMate summarizes complex information so it is easier to understand.
- This is not administrative, legal, or certified translation agency work. Confirm with official offices before applying.
Visa Categories
Eligibility
- Valid passport
- D-10-1 points system: Bachelor's (or Korean associate) or higher + at least 20 points in basic items + 60+ total out of 190
- D-10-1 EXEMPTIONS: ① first change after Korean university graduation (within 1 year) ② Korean graduate + TOPIK 4 or KIIP Stage 4 ③ Under-29 holder of bachelor's+ from THE/QS top-200 OR Korean studies major with TOPIK Level 6 ④ Foreign embassy intern in Korea
- D-10-2: Bachelor's+ + ONE of: Korean patent/utility model/design rights, OASIS training, K-Startup Grand Challenge, OECD IP rights
- D-10-3: Top global university (THE 200·QS 500) advanced-tech bachelor's+ + under age 30 (35 if master's+) + matching Korean employer contract
- D-10-T: Master's+ from a global top-100 university within last 5 years
- Living-cost proof: bank balance of 'annual single-person housing-benefit standard × stay months' (exempt for points-exemption tracks)
- No disqualifications: no imprisonment within 5 years, no deportation/exit-order within 5 years, no fines of KRW 3 million+ within 3 years, etc.
Required Documents
Visa Application Form
RequiredForm (Annex 17) + standard photo (1) + fee + ID copy
Passport Copy
RequiredPassport copy
Diploma / Graduation Certificate
RequiredBachelor's or higher degree certificate (Korean grads exempt if FIMS-confirmed)
Job-Search Activity Plan
RequiredPlan with target field, plan, timeline (D-10-2 = tech startup plan, D-10-3 = internship plan)
Living-Cost Proof
RequiredBank balance ≥ 'annual single-person housing-benefit standard × stay months' (intern-pay records may substitute)
Exempt for points-exemption tracks (Korean grads, top Korean speakers, promising talent, etc.)
Korean-Language Proficiency Proof
OptionalTOPIK score or KIIP completion / pre-test (top Korean speakers need TOPIK 4+, promising talent needs TOPIK 6)
If applicable
Work-Experience Proof
OptionalCareer or employment certificate showing duration, location, and role (for points bonus)
If applicable
Employment Recommendation
OptionalRecommendation from a relevant ministry head or Korean overseas mission (for points bonus)
If applicable
Domestic Training-Activity Records
OptionalResearch/training completion certificates, exchange-student verification, etc. (for points bonus)
If applicable
High-Income Professional Documentation
OptionalPrevious-year earned-income certificate from your home-country public institution (for points bonus)
If applicable
IP / Startup Documentation (D-10-2)
OptionalPatent/utility-model/design certificate or application proof, OASIS completion, OECD-country IP documentation
D-10-2 only
Internship Contract + Company Qualification (D-10-3)
OptionalContract specifying advanced-tech field & duration + business registration, corporate registry, employment-insurance roster, R&D facilities + ONE qualification proof
D-10-3 only (Certificate of Visa Issuance)
Procedures
- 1
Verify Eligibility
D-10-1: 60+ points OR an exemption / D-10-2: patents·OASIS, etc. / D-10-3: top university + employer match / D-10-T: master's from a top-100 university
Duration: — - 2
Apply for Visa or Status Change
Apply at a Korean overseas mission, OR via Certificate of Visa Issuance for D-10-3 only. Legal residents in Korea can apply for status change (D-2 → D-10 first change is points-exempt)
Duration: — - 3
Entry to Korea
Consul-discretionary visa: single-entry 6 months (multi-entry visa countries get 2-year/6-month). D-10-3 Certificate visa: up to 1 year
Duration: — - 4
Alien Registration
Register at the local Immigration Office within 90 days (1-year-grant holders get extension/adjustment with no extension fee)
Duration: Within 90 days of entry
Important Notes
- !Stay per issuance: 1 year (60-80 points, caregiver trainees, professional career-changers, some D-10-2 tracks: 6 months)
- !Total stay cap: 3 years (80+ points, top Korean speakers, promising talent, foreign youth, D-10-3, D-10-T) or 1 year (60-80 points, professional career-changers)
- !First-time D-10-1 status change after Korean university (associate degree or higher) D-2 graduation is points-exempt + grants 1 year. Extensions DO require points
- !D-10-1 part-time work (D-10-2 and D-10-3 not eligible): Korean university associate+ + within 3 years of graduation + KIIP Stage 4 or TOPIK Level 4+ + no prior E-1 to E-7 stay. Manufacturing (KIIP Stage 4 only) or agriculture, 25 hrs/week (KIIP Stage 5+ gets 30), unlimited weekends
- !Designated-country nationals (incl. Myanmar) changing from B/C series, D-3, E-9, E-10, or G-1 to D-10 need 80+ points (not 60)
- !D-10-3 advanced-tech internship: Certificate of Visa Issuance only, max 1 year. Inviting company is capped at 20% of its Korean-employee headcount (3-year exemption for venture companies)
- !D-10-T (top-tier talent) applies STRICTER disqualifications beyond the standard D-10 list
- !Re-entry within 1 year is exempt; 1-2 years requires multi-entry permit. D-10 is NOT in the Saudi/Iran/Libya multi-entry exception list
- !Report changes to name, sex, birth date, nationality, passport, or affiliated organization within 15 days (also for internship start or organization change)
- !This is a summary. For the full points-system table and stay caps, contact the 1345 Foreign Resident Hotline or your local Immigration Office