How to apply for Part-time Work Permission

Students first need to meet the qualifications of the school and ask for permission from the Immigration Office before they can start working part-time.

Qualifications:

International Student (D-2):

• Each school would have their own qualifications in order for students to get permission to start working in Korea while they are under the D-2 visa. The usual requirements are 1) a high GPA, 2) good class attendance, and 3) permission from the adviser
• Those who have surpassed the study abroad period (2 years for associates, 4 years for bachelor's) and have been unable to fulfill graduation requirements due to lack of credits or otherwise, and therefore been granted an extension of stay are restricted from holding part-time jobs.
  • However, master's and PhD degree earners who have completed their coursework and are writing their theses can be granted permission to work. However, Individuals who delay their graduation because of the lack of credits or poor attendance are not eligible for part-time jobs.

Korean Language Trainee (D-4-1):

• Korean language students can only start working 6 months after they have entered Korea, while maintaining the same visa.

What Part-time Jobs are Allowed:

• Simple or Elementary Jobs: Serving at cafes or restaurants
• Interpretation or Translation
• Restaurant or Office Assistant
• Tour Guide Assistant
• Service Jobs: Sales person for Cosmetics and other products

Private Tutoring is heavily restricted according to many sources. Please check with the immigration officer or immigration office about your specific case.

Restricted work:

• Private tutoring 
• Construction
• Delivery
• Manufacturing
• Working on foreign language institutions
• Adult entertainment
• Workplace located more than 90 mins away 

Maximum Working Hours:

 

Required Documents for Part-time Work Permission

• Resident Card (ARC)
• Application Form
• Passport
• Letter of Recommendation for part-time employment
• Transcript from the previous semester
• Official TOPIK Score (If applicable)
• Certificate of Business Registration 사업등록증 (copy) of the workplace
• Standard Employment Contract (Working hours, period, hourly wage, and job responsibilities must be stated. The Employer and student's signatures are needed).
• Part-time Work of Foreign Student Confirmation Form

Steps for Part-time Work Permission

• Step 1: Get a Part-time Job then obtain the necessary documents.
  • Certificate of Business Registration
  • Standard Contract
  • Signature for the Part-time Work of Foreign Student Confirmation Form
     
• Step 2: Get permission from your School and your Adviser by bringing the necessary documents.
  • Transcript
  • TOPIK Score
  • Certificate of Registration 
     
• Step 3: Visit the Immigration Office and submit your documents or you can submit your application online via the HiKorea website.
   
• Step 4: If approved, an approval sticker will be given or a certificate of approval can be printed out online.

Penalties for working without prior permission:

• Employers and employees who have engaged in illegal employment will be punished according to Article 18 of the law (violators may also be deported or have their visa status revoked).
• Violators will be restricted from changing to D-10 or Job Seeking visas after graduation.

 

Special Advantages for D-2-7 visa holders

Conditions for receiving special advantage: Must have normally completed their degree program and graduated

• (E-7 employment visa requirements) When job seekers are signing an employment contract, they are except from the limit on the ratio of foreign workers at a company, the size of the company, or the similarity of the of the type of work to a student's major. Also, within the period of your employment contract, you can extend your period of stay once every three years.  
• (Receiving a permanent resident visa) According to the type of permanent resident visa, relevant individuals are exempt from the income requirement and receive extra points.
• When changing to permanent resident visa status (F-5-10), those who have received a PhD in Korea, those with bachelor’s degrees in a high-tech field, and those with F-2 visas through the point system are exempt from the income requirement. Also, talented individuals in certain fields receive additional points (10→ 20).