📋 Key Summary of This Article
- Announcement date and stage: October 7, 2026 (MOJ) — proposed reform announcement stage, specific implementation date not set.
- Current D-10: initial 1 year + 2 extensions, maximum 3 years.
- Key of proposed reform: Korean language requirement met → total 3 years maintained, not met → maximum 2 years (1 year + 6 months + 6 months, point system). The phrase “extended to 3 years” is a misconception.
- STEM: New D-2 → E-7 (skilled worker, 숙련기능인력) transition pathway under development (example requirements: bachelor's or higher, Grade B or higher, Social Integration Program Level 4 or higher), limited to labor-shortage sectors like manufacturing. K-TECH Master → F-2 route also being designed.
- (Provisional) Alumni Visit Visa: multiple-entry visa concept for returning graduates — name and validity period vary across documents, not yet confirmed.
- Preparation: Korean language (TOPIK/Social Integration Program), grades, program completion, employment visa checklist (expected in second half of 2026).
On October 7, 2026, the Ministry of Justice (법무부) Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters officially announced the results of the "International Student Visa Reform Council." The council launched on April 20, 2026, chaired by the Vice Minister of Justice, and operated for approximately five months. As of August 2026 (the time of the announcement), the number of international students in Korea was approximately 350,000 (D-2 academic visa: 279,077 + D-4 language training: 74,450, based on Attachment statistics). Of this announcement, there are three major areas directly relevant to upper-year and graduating international students: redesign of the D-10 job-seeking visa system, establishment of a new E-7 transition pathway for STEM graduates, and a proposed (provisional) Alumni Visit Visa for returning graduates.
This article was written after directly reviewing the MOJ press release source documents (5-page main text + Attachment 1 strategic summary + Attachment 2 Q&A). The current system and the proposed direction will be clearly distinguished, and no specific figures or criteria that have not yet been confirmed will be stated as fact. The purpose is not to alarm or exaggerate, but to provide information that is genuinely useful for graduation preparation.
D-10 Job-Seeking Visa — Understanding the Current System First
Before understanding the proposed reform, you need to accurately understand the current D-10 system. MOJ Attachment 2 Q6 explains: “Currently, you can stay for an initial 1 year with two extensions, up to a maximum of 3 years. However, since the 3-year stay is guaranteed, there has been criticism that it is being used more as a means of extending stay or doing part-time work rather than actively seeking employment.”
In other words, D-10 already allows a maximum of 3 years under the current system. The expression that the reform “extends D-10 to 3 years” is not accurate. The accurate change is a tiered application of 3 years or 2 years depending on Korean language requirements, and failing to meet the requirement would result in a reduction to a maximum of 2 years — less than the current maximum of 3 years.
Current System vs. Proposed Reform — Comparison
| Category | Current | Proposed Reform (Unconfirmed) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Grant | 1 year | 1 year (same) |
| If Korean Language Requirement Met | Max 3 years (1 year + 2 extensions) | 3 years maintained |
| If Korean Language Requirement Not Met | Max 3 years (same) | Maximum 2 years (1 year + 6 months + 6 months, point system) |
| STEM/Regional Graduates | — | Preferential treatment considering major, employment relevance, and regional factors under consideration |
| Target Implementation Date | — | First half of 2027 (target, unconfirmed) |
New E-7 Transition Pathway Exclusively for STEM Graduates Under Development
There is important news for STEM graduates. The MOJ is pursuing a plan to create a new transition pathway from D-2 (student) to E-7 (skilled worker, 숙련기능인력). According to Attachment 2 Q9, the permitted fields will be limited to labor-shortage sectors such as manufacturing, and “the timing and scale of implementation will be finally determined through close consultation with relevant ministries.”
Example Transition Requirements (Attachment 1, Unconfirmed)
Example Requirements for D-2 → E-7 Transition (Attachment 1)
- STEM bachelor's degree or higher
- Academic diligence: Grade B or higher
- Social integration potential: Social Integration Program (사회통합프로그램) Level 4 or higher
The above are examples presented in Attachment 1. Final requirements, permitted industries, and scale will be determined through consultation with relevant ministries.
Alongside this pathway, the (Provisional) K-TECH Master Visa is also being designed. It targets graduates who complete the TECH Master (전문기술석사) program — currently operating in 29 specialized universities, capacity of 540 students, admission requirements: bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant work experience — to transition from D-2 to F-2 (resident status, 거주자격). Both pathways have a target implementation date of the first half of 2027.
① Directly to E-7 without D-10: STEM bachelor's or higher + Grade B or higher + Social Integration Program Level 4 or higher (example) → limited to labor-shortage fields such as manufacturing
② K-TECH Master → F-2: bachelor's degree + 2 years of experience → TECH Master program → F-2 resident status
Both are proposed directions, not yet confirmed. Specific criteria will be determined through inter-ministerial consultation.
(Provisional) Alumni Visit Visa — Name and Validity Period Not Yet Confirmed
A multiple-entry visit visa for returning graduates is also under discussion. More than 90% of international students come from countries where a visa is required to enter Korea, and the aim is to address the inconvenience of having to prove financial means and purpose of entry every time they re-enter after returning home. It is planned to be designed so that graduates who obtained a degree in Korea can receive a multiple-entry visa from Korean overseas missions (재외공관), regardless of when they graduated.
Press release body: (Provisional) Study Korea Alumni Visit Visa (Study Korea Alumni Visa), multiple-entry visa exclusively for returning graduates
Attachment 1: (Provisional) Global Alumni Visit Visa (K-Global Alumni Visa), short-term multiple-entry for 3–5 years under review
Q8: Multiple-entry visa valid for 3, 5, or 10 years, maximum 10-year concept
Q10 table: C-3-12 multiple-entry visit visa issuance — 2026 second-half target
⇒ Name and validity period are both unconfirmed. Re-verification through official announcements after finalization is essential.
The direction is clear: to issue multiple-entry visas to graduates who obtained degrees in Korea so they can maintain their people-to-people network with Korea. Graduates considering returning home should watch for official announcements.
Post-Graduation Statistics — Background for This Reform
The following is the post-graduation status according to MOJ Attachment Reference 1 (based on students who graduated between 2019 and 2025, tracked through March 2026). Employment rate formula: employed ÷ (graduates − those who fully departed immediately after graduation) × 100.
| Degree | Full Departure | D-10 | Employment (E-1–7) | F-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree (전문학사) | 26.4% | 14.2% | 43.0% | 11.9% |
| Bachelor's | 71.8% | 4.5% | 15.7% | 3.5% |
| Master's | 71.3% | 4.1% | 12.3% | 7.8% |
| Doctoral | 81.3% | 7.0% | 3.5% | 3.4% |
Source: MOJ Attachment 1 Reference 1 / Based on: post-graduation history of students who graduated 2019–2025, through March 2026
Of the overall employment rate of 34.3%, engineering leads at 59.1%, followed by medicine/pharmacy at 54.6%, natural sciences at 44.1%, education at 29.4%, social sciences at 26.7%, humanities at 24.8%, and arts/physical education at 23.0%. The MOJ notes in its Q&A that D-10 has been criticized for being used more as a means of extending stay or part-time work rather than active job searching, precisely because the 3-year guarantee removed urgency.
What You Should Start Preparing Right Now
Although specific criteria have not yet been confirmed, the direction is clear: Korean language ability and grade management will be the key variables for post-graduation stay pathways. It is best to start preparing now.
✅ Pre- and Post-Graduation Preparation Checklist
The specific level for D-10 requirements has not been announced, but the direction of introducing a Korean language requirement is clear. Complete TOPIK or the Social Integration Program before graduation. If you are in STEM, also aim for the E-7 transition example requirement (Social Integration Program Level 4 or higher).
The example requirements for STEM E-7 transition include a grade of B or higher. Pay attention to your grades in the remaining semesters until graduation.
The MOJ is working toward providing the "International Student Employment Visa Checklist" online by the second half of 2026. Be among the first to use it once it becomes available.
Regularly check the MOJ (www.moj.go.kr), HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), the Immigration Information Center at 1345, and your university's international office.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
References and Contact Information
- Ministry of Justice press release (October 7, 2026): “MOJ prepares for the era of 400,000 international students — shifting visa policy from 'attraction' to 'growth'” (main text, Attachment 1, Attachment 2) — https://www.moj.go.kr/bbs/moj/182/611170/artclView.do
- Contact: MOJ Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters (www.moj.go.kr), HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), Immigration Information Center at 1345, your university's international office
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