Students coming to Korea on D4 visas must meet specific criteria to work. This article introduces D4 visa Korea working rules.
Can you work part time on a D4 visa?
Yes, you can. However, the government has a following set of regulations for foreign students who want to apply for a part time job Korea on a D4 visa
- You must be over 17 years old
- You must be currently enrolled in a training program or in a Korean Language Course affiliated with universities
- You can start a part-time job only after six months of living in Korea
- You must get work approval both from the attended institution and the Immigration Office
- You can only work at jobs considered simple labor
- restaurant or café staff, a clerk in a convenience store or a duty-free shop, interpreter or translator, travel guide, general office assistant (for example inside the campus), etc.
- while teaching English in Korea on D4 visa would not be approved, working as a safety assistant or play assistant at an English kids café or English camp would. For this particular part-time job, it is necessary to submit officially confirmed Criminal Record Certificate issued by your country’s government and a Medical Examination Certificate issued by a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice
- work in manufacturing or construction industry is prohibited for D4 visa holders
- Korean Language proficiency certificate
- TOPIK 4 or higher
- King Sejong Institute intermediate level 1 or higher
- Completion of a Social Integration Program Level 2 or higher or a pre-assessment score of 41 points or higher
If you meet all of the above criteria, you will be allowed to work 20 hours/week. If you are studying under a certified university or you place on top of your class at the end of semester, you may be allowed to work 25 hours/week.
If you do not meet the language requirement, you may be allowed to work but only 10 hours/week.
Part time job Korea – documents
- Photocopy of Passport
- Photocopy of Alien Card
- Application form number 34 (통합신청서, click here to download)
- Confirmation of part-time employment (시간제취업 확인서 – must mention the employment period, working days and hours, click here to download*)
- Transcript of Records and attendance sheet (provided by attending institution)
- Certificate of Current Enrollment in training or language course
- Korean language proficiency certificate
- Business License of the future workplace (provided by the employer)
- Work Contract (also has to include the employment period, working days and hours)
- Photocopy of your future employer’s ID
- Work permit issued by attending institution
D4 Visa Korea working – approval step by step
- Find a suitable part-time job
- (Get a health certificate (보건증) before working in the food industry – the future employer should inform you whether it is necessary)
- Sign a contract, get a copy of the workplace’s Business License, get a photocopy of your future employer’s ID and make them sign the document number 4
- Make a copy of documents number 4, 8 and 9 and submit them to the responsible worker at the institution you attend (e.g. university)
- Get a Certificate of job approval from the attending institution
- Submit all the above documents to the Immigration Office and wait for an approval – either make an appointment and visit your local Immigration Office personally or submit documents online through HiKorea’s e-application
The Immigration Office screens every participant and respective part-time job application individually, and additional documents may be required. If you apply through HiKorea, it is possible to check the application status or notes on necessary additional documents through the e-application.
Despite the government rules, there are many instances when foreign students find jobs outside of the government-regulated options. If the government finds out a person has been working without work permit, a fine up to 1 million KRW can be imposed.
Breaching the rules on multiple occasions may lead to deportation or imprisonment. Those who plan to stay in Korea for a long time and possibly build a career in the country, should be aware of the Korean laws as to avoid facing problems on the way.
