The following information is based on general searching results and conditions may differ depending on the policy and the applicant’s background status. Please refer to the immigration office and the official agencies for professional advice.

Going through the visa application process is overwhelming. Nearing the end of the year, many of you Kampers have submitted questions on the D-10 visa, from basic to in-depth inquiries! The K-campus team has gathered some information to help you get a clearer idea of the visa.

If you have gone through the D-10 preparation process and would like to add your side of the experience, please don't hesitate to write the comments below for discussion!

*What is a D-10 visa?

D-10 is a job-seeking visa. You need this to stay in Korea through Master's / Ph. D or an employment in a Korean company.

There are three types of D-10.

1. D-10-1 (General job seekers)

2. D-10-2 (Tech start-up preparers)

3. D-10-3 (High-tech internship)

Out of these, D-10-1 is the typical D-10 visa most D-2 visa holders go for. It is the type of visa international students think of when they plan to stay in Korea seeking for a job or starting an internship.

Those who submit applications for D-10-1 will be assessed on a scoring system that has a total of 190 points. The scoring can be distinguished to two parts: Basic and Optional criteria. You must get at least 60 points in total to be considered for obtaining the visa.

The basic criterion consists of age, education and duration of stay in Korea. The total is 50 points, and you should get at least 20 points here to pass.

The optional criteria refer to others and additional points, each totaling up to 70 points.

If you are from a domestic university and have a bachelor’s degree or a more advanced one within the past three years and also have a Topik record of level 4 or higher, you can skip the scoring system procedure. 

Topik scores and completing the KIIP used to be the only way applicants could get points for Korean proficiency in the point-based visa system, but the Justice Ministry started accepting KIIP pre-test scores starting May 20, 2024.

*What are the required documents?

-Visa application form (Integrated)

-Passport

-1 picture of you (3.5 * 4.5 cm)

-ARC (Alien Registration Card)

-Academic certificate (or graduation certificate)

-Certificate of grades

-Job seeking plan

-Application fee (Cash only, 130,000 won)

If you are applying for the extension of D-10, you need these documents additionally:

-Housing contract (Document of proving accommodation status)

-6-month bank statement (document of proving your living expenses)

If you have a history of receiving fines, fines, or administrative fines for violating the Immigration Acts or laws related to employment, such as illegal employment or part-time employment, you cannot change your job-seeking visa.

*What is the application process for the D-10 visa?

1- Prepare the required document and visit the immigration website (https://www.hikorea.go.kr/Main.pt) and make an online reservation.

2- Visit the Immigration Office and apply for D-10 visa.

3- Wait for the designated date of announcement (It can vary between a week and four weeks depending on the time).

*Is it possible to go from D-10 back to D-2 if I wish to apply for fall semester in grad school?

Most cases of D-10 derive from those who have D-2 wanting to switch to a job-based visa, but the other way round is not too common. It is possible, but it may require a trip back to your country in order to issue a D-2 visa, depending on the condition of your status and the policies. Please refer to the immigration office or 1345 for details.