📌 Key Summary
- After graduating on a D-2 visa, converting to a D-10 Job-Seeker Visa is mandatory to continue job-hunting in Korea.
- October 2025 reform: Initial permit expanded to 1 year; maximum stay expanded to 3 years.
- If you hold TOPIK Level 4 or above and graduated within the past 3 years, the points-based review is waived.
- Part-time work: TOPIK Level 4 or below = 20 hrs/week; TOPIK Level 5 or above = 30 hrs/week.
- Departing Korea while your application is pending automatically cancels it — no travel abroad before approval.
- Application fee: 130,000 KRW (status change).
After four years of studying in Korea, graduation day has finally arrived — but the job search is only just beginning. To continue preparing for employment in Korea, you must change your status from a D-2 student visa to a D-10 Job-Seeker Visa before your D-2 expires. The D-10 is not a simple stay extension; it is the legal gateway through which you can conduct job-search activities, complete internships, and work part-time while preparing to convert to a full-time work visa (E-7).
In particular, the Ministry of Justice revision that took effect on 30 October 2025 extended the D-10 initial permit period from 6 months to 1 year and the maximum stay from 2 years to 3 years. The internship cumulative cap was also abolished, and internships with a single company are now allowed for up to 1 year. Below is a complete, step-by-step guide to the D-10 conversion process as it stands in 2026.
D-10 Job-Seeker Visa: The Essentials
What Is the D-10 Visa?
The D-10 visa (job-seeker status) is a legal residency category that allows holders of an associate degree or higher to prepare for professional employment (E-1 through E-7 occupations) in Korea. It is based on Annex 1-3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act. The key point: D-10 is a job-search preparation visa, not a work visa. You may conduct job searches, attend interviews, complete internships, and work part-time within permitted limits. Unskilled labor is not allowed.
D-10 Sub-Categories
The D-10 visa is divided by purpose into D-10-1 (general job search), D-10-2 (tech startup preparation), and D-10-3 (advanced-tech internship). Most international students converting after graduating from a Korean university will fall under D-10-1.
⚠️ Apply for Status Change Before Your D-2 Expires
Your D-2 visa loses its legal purpose the moment you graduate. To remain in Korea legally after graduation, you must apply to change your status to D-10 no later than 15 days after graduation. Delaying the change until you are in overstay status will create negative records that affect every future visa application.
2026 D-10 Eligibility — Points-Exempt vs. Points-Based
Points-Exempt Pathway (Recommended for Domestic Graduates)
If you meet both of the following requirements simultaneously, you can apply for D-10 through a simplified review without undergoing the 190-point scoring evaluation.
- Earned a domestic associate degree or higher within the past 3 years
- Valid TOPIK Level 4 or above score (or KIIP mid-level evaluation pass)
Under the points-exempt pathway, certain documents such as financial proof are waived. Most international students who recently graduated from a Korean university can use this route. TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the date of issue, so renew before expiry.
Points-Based Pathway
If you do not qualify for the points exemption, you must score at least 20 points on mandatory items and 60 points total out of 190 on the scoring sheet. Scoring categories include:
- Age: 10-20 pts (higher scores for younger applicants)
- Education: associate degree through doctorate, 15-30 pts
- Korean language ability: variable points per TOPIK level (1-6)
- Work experience: bonus points for domestic or international professional experience
- Overseas study history, vocational training duration, etc.
💡 TOPIK Level 4 or Above Is the Key Strategy
Holding TOPIK Level 4 or above gives you two benefits at once: points-exemption eligibility and part-time work authorization. The TOPIK exam is held 4-6 times per year, and results are valid for 2 years. The most efficient strategy is to secure your score before graduation.
D-10 Document Checklist (2026)
Required Documents for All Applicants
- Integrated Application Form — complete at HiKorea or at the immigration office counter
- Passport (original) — sufficient remaining validity required
- Alien Registration Card (original)
- 1 passport-size photo — taken within the last 6 months, 3.5x4.5 cm, white background, facing forward
- Graduation certificate or diploma — original issued by your university registrar
- Official academic transcript — issued by your university registrar
- TOPIK score certificate — Level 4 or above, valid within 2 years of issue date
- Status-change fee: 130,000 KRW — cash or debit card
Additional Documents for the Points-Based Pathway
- Job-search activity plan — target occupation, application methods, current preparation status
- Proof of financial means — bank statement in your name (recommended minimum: 900,000 KRW/month)
- Self-scored points table — based on the 190-point system
- Job-search activity records (required for extension)
⚠️ Leaving Korea After Submission Automatically Cancels Your Application
After your application is accepted at the counter and before approval is granted, any departure from Korea will cause the application to be automatically cancelled. Delay all overseas travel plans until after D-10 approval is confirmed. In urgent situations, call the immigration hotline (1345) before making any plans.
How to Apply via HiKorea — 5-Step D-10 Conversion Process
Civil Services → Appointment → select “Status Change.” Graduation season slots (Feb-Mar, Aug-Sep) fill up quickly, so book your appointment 1-2 months before graduation.
Download your TOPIK score certificate from the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (www.topik.go.kr), and obtain your graduation certificate through your university academic portal.
Seoul residents can choose among the main office or the Gangnam, Gangseo, Dongbu, or Nambu branches. You may fill out the Integrated Application Form at the office on the day of your visit.
Hand all documents to the counter officer. Pay the 130,000 KRW status-change fee. Bring both cash and a debit card to be safe.
Review typically takes 1-4 weeks. After approval, your new D-10 Alien Registration Card will be mailed to you by registered post.
D-10 Part-Time Work — Earn a Living While You Job Hunt
Permitted Weekly Hours
While on D-10 status, you may hold a part-time job after obtaining a separate part-time work activity permit from the Immigration Office. The D-10 visa does not automatically authorize employment, so you must receive the permit first.
| TOPIK Level | Weekdays (permitted hours) | Weekends & Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK Level 5 or above | 30 hrs/week (unskilled labor excluded) | Unlimited (unskilled labor excluded) |
| TOPIK Level 4 or below, or no TOPIK | 20 hrs/week (unskilled labor excluded) | Unlimited (unskilled labor excluded) |
Special Internship Rules
As of the October 2025 revision, internships with a single company were extended from 6 months to a maximum of 1 year, and the cumulative cap was abolished. You must notify the Immigration Office within 14 days of starting an internship. Failure to report can result in fines and a deportation risk.
⚠️ Consequences of Unauthorized Work — Zero Tolerance
Working without a part-time work permit, or exceeding permitted hours, can result in visa cancellation and deportation. Unskilled labor (factory assembly, construction sites, cleaning, etc.) is absolutely prohibited under D-10 status.
D-10 Stay Duration and Extension — October 2025 Reform Summary
Under the regulations that took effect on 30 October 2025, D-10 stay periods changed significantly. You now receive an initial permit of 1 year, and with proof of job-search activity you can extend up to a total of 3 years. Extensions are now granted in 1-year increments (previously 6 months), reducing the administrative burden.
When applying for an extension, demonstrating active job-search activity is essential. Prepare: application histories from job portals (Saramin, JobKorea, LinkedIn, etc.), interview attendance letters, job fair participation records, and internship activity proof. You must also submit a bank statement showing at least 900,000 KRW/month in living funds, or a financial guarantee from a sponsor.
D-10 to E-7 Specific Activities Visa: Conversion Guide
The final destination of the D-10 Job-Seeker Visa is the E-7 Specific Activities Visa. The E-7 is issued for employment in 86 designated professional occupations — IT, engineering, business management, design, education, healthcare, and more — as specified in Ministry of Justice guidelines. Once you sign an employment contract during your D-10 stay, you can apply for an E-7 conversion.
Key documents for E-7 conversion: employment contract, copy of employer business registration certificate, employer tax compliance certificate, final degree certificate and transcript, work experience certificate (if applicable), and TOPIK score certificate. Because requirements for education, experience, and TOPIK level differ by occupation, confirm the specific criteria for your target job title on HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I apply for D-10 before my graduation date?
Yes. By submitting a certificate of expected graduation, you can have your application accepted before you officially graduate. The D-10 status becomes effective from your graduation date. Since immigration office slots during graduation season are extremely competitive, booking your appointment 1-2 months in advance is the best approach.
Q. Is D-10 impossible without TOPIK Level 4?
Without TOPIK Level 4, you cannot use the points-exempt pathway, but you can still apply through the points-based route. You will need a total score of at least 60 points out of 190 and must submit additional documents including financial proof.
Q. Can I do freelance translation or interpretation work on D-10?
Freelance translation and interpretation falls under E-7 occupational categories. Whether it is permissible within D-10 part-time work limits may vary depending on circumstances and the judgment of the local immigration office. Before taking on such work, call the immigration hotline (1345) to confirm.
Q. What if I am admitted to a Korean graduate school while on D-10?
If you are admitted to a graduate school, you must change your status from D-10 back to D-2 (degree-program status). Apply for the status change at the Immigration Office as soon as you receive your admission letter.
Q. What happens if I use up the full 3 years without finding employment?
Once the maximum 3-year D-10 stay expires without a conversion to a work visa, you no longer have legal grounds to remain in Korea. You must either leave voluntarily or check whether you qualify for another lawful status. Before your visa expires, contact the immigration hotline (1345) and discuss your situation.
DODREAM Is Here to Help
From verifying your D-10 eligibility and preparing your documents to mapping out your E-7 conversion plan — if you encounter any obstacles throughout the post-graduation visa change journey, DODREAM's specialist team is ready to help you navigate every step.
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