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For international students who have completed their studies in Korea, graduation is not the end, but a new beginning. For D-2 visa holders seeking employment in Korea, it's especially crucial to change their residency status in a timely manner. Today, we'll outline the roadmap for international students' work visas, from the D-2 visa to the D10-1 (job-seeking visa) and then to the E7-1 (professional work visa).
1. Expiration of the D-2 Visa and the Need for a D-10-1 Visa
Holders of a D-2 (student) visa who have completed a degree program in Korea are generally required to return home upon graduation, as their visa expires upon graduation. However, if they plan to continue seeking employment or further study in Korea, they must change their visa status to a D-10-1 (job-seeking visa).
The D-10-1 visa goes beyond simply extending your stay; it serves as an essential stepping stone to the E-7-1 (Professional Employment) or F-2-7 (Points-Based Residence) visas in the future.
2. D-10-1 (Job Seeker Visa) Application Requirements and Exemptions
The D-10-1 visa is a points-based visa that foreigners with a domestic associate's degree or higher can apply for when preparing for employment in a specialized field (E-1 to E-7).
- Basic score requirement: 20 points or more in the basic items and a total score of 60 points or more out of a total of 190 points
- Point system exemption exception:
- First-time applicants: If you are applying for a D-10 visa for the first time after graduating from a domestic university, the points system is exempt for the first six months. (The points system applies for subsequent extensions.)
- Applicants who have graduated within 3 years: If you have Korean language proficiency (TOPIK Level 4 or higher, passing the KIIP Level 4 midterm evaluation, or being assigned to Level 5 in the preliminary evaluation), you may apply for exemption from the score system.
3. Conversion from D-10-1 to E-7-1 (Professional Employment Visa)
The E-7-1 (Specified Activities - Professional Worker) visa is the ultimate goal for many international students after their job search. Graduates of domestic universities have the significant advantage of being eligible for "special requirements," which are more relaxed than the general requirements.
E7-1 Visa Application Requirements
E7-1 visa application is divided into general requirements and special requirements.
○ General requirements (must meet one of the following)
- Holders of a master's degree or higher in a field related to the position being introduced
- Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher in a field related to the position they are applying for and have at least one year of experience in the field.
- Applicants with more than 5 years of work experience in a field related to the position being introduced
○ Special Requirements (for domestic university graduates)
- Graduates and prospective graduates of domestic junior colleges: If employed in a job related to their major, the one-year work experience requirement is waived, and employment is permitted if the need for employment is recognized.
- Applicants with a bachelor's degree or higher who graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a domestic university: If employed in an occupation permitted for introduction, employment is permitted regardless of major if the necessity of employment is recognized.
Therefore, domestic international students can be exempted from the work experience requirement through special conditions, and can be employed regardless of their major if the need for employment is recognized.
4. Notes when applying
Not all visa holders are eligible to change to D-10-1 or E-7-1 status. If you hold the following statuses, your change may be restricted:
- Restrictions: Short-term stay visa holders (21 countries as notified by the Ministry of Justice), technical training (D-3), non-professional employment (E-9), seafarer employment (E-10), and other (G-1) visa holders.
The D-10-1 visa is a valuable opportunity for international students seeking to start a career in Korea, providing a stable job search period and helping them develop into skilled workers (E-7-1). Changing visas is a complex process that requires careful consideration of your degree, Korean language proficiency, and the hiring company's requirements. Therefore, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the requirements outlined above to successfully achieve your dream of employment in Korea.