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D-10 Job Seeker

South KoreaTalent and merit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Which exceptional-talent, academic, scientific, artistic, technological, cultural or other profiles does the pathway target?

D-10 targets general job seekers (job-seeking at a Korean company/organisation, short-term internship), tech start-up preparers (start-up immigration training, patent/IP applications, preparing a start-up corporation) and high-tech interns.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
    · General job seekers (Job-seeking at a domestic company/organization, short- term internship, etc.) D-10 · Tech start-up preparers (participation in start-up immigration training (Job seeker) programs, patent applications such as intellectual property rights, preparation for establishment of start-up corporations, etc.) · High-tech internship (internship activities in high-tech fields)

What achievements, recognition, awards, publications, reputation or other evidence establishes the required level?

General Job-Seeking requires at least a bachelor's degree (including a Korean associate degree) and meeting point-score requirements; the score requirement is exempted for recent (within 3 years) graduates of Korean universities with TOPIK level 4 or higher or equivalent KIIP results. High-Tech Internship requires enrolment in or graduation within 3 years from a bachelor's or higher programme in high technology at a qualifying overseas university (THE top 200 or QS top 500).

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The minimum point score for General Job-Seeking is not stated.
  • https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
    - (D-10, General Job-Seeking) ① From person seeking training or employment in the field of education to become professor (E-1) to Foreign National with Special Abilities (E- 7) and have at least a bachelor's degree (including an associate's degree from Korea) by fulfilling score requirements or ② in the case of graduates from a domestic university with excellent Korean language ability, score requirements are exempted
  • https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
    * Score requirements are exempted for persons who hold a valid transcript of TOPIK level 4 or higher, have passed the interim evaluation of the Social Integration Program's level 4 or have been assigned to level 5 in the pre-assessment among those who have not exceeded 3 years after obtaining an associate degree or higher from a regular university in Korea
  • https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
    - (D-10, High-Tech Internship) Enrolled students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher or graduates within 3 years of acquiring a degree in high technology** at overseas qualified universities* and plan to do an internship in high technology companies provided the students/graduates meet the relevant requirements. * Top 200 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Top 500 universities abroad in the QS World University Rankings

Is an employer, nominator, recognised body, peer group or government endorsement required?

For the High-Tech Internship track, the internship must be under an internship contract with a company (institution) that meets requirements set by the Minister of Justice. The official source does not state endorsement requirements for the General Job-Seeking and Tech Start-up tracks.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Endorsement requirements for the General and Tech Start-up tracks are not addressed.

Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?

D-10 is not an open work status. General job seekers may do internships in fields covered by E-1 to E-7 for up to 1 year while holding D-10, with a maximum of 6 months at the same company. Part-time work in the areas open to foreign students is allowed only for people who changed from D-2 to general D-10 and meet all conditions: an associate degree or higher from a regular Korean university obtained no more than 3 years earlier; TOPIK level 4 or higher and a KIIP mid-term pass or pre-assessment score of 81+; no previous stay on E-1 to E-7; and no violation of the Immigration Act or other laws (fines excluded). Spouse and underage children can be invited as F-3 only when the point-system D-10 holder scores 80 points or more. The official source does not state whether a D-10 holder may work independently or establish a business.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source does not say whether a D-10 holder may work independently or establish a business (tech start-up preparation is described only as an eligibility activity).
  • Internships are stated as not allowed in principle for some D-10 holders (tech start-up, prior E-1 to E-7 employment).
  • https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
    (Eligibility) General Job Seeker (D-10) status holder who intends to do an internship in a field that falls under Professor (E-1) to Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7) during the job seeking period.
  • https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
    (Permitted Period) Up to 1 year during the period of holding Job Seeker (D-10) status (Yet, a maximum of 6 months is allowed in the same company)
  • https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
    (Eligibility) Those who have been granted permission to change status from Student (D-2) to General Job Seeker (D-10) and who meet all of the requirements below ▪ Those who have obtained an associate's degree or higher from a regular university in Korea and have not exceeded 3 years since the date of obtaining the degree ▪ Those who have obtained TOPIK level 4 or higher and a certificate verifying the passing of the Social Integration Program mid-term evaluation or pre-assessment score (81 points or higher) ▪ Those who have not resided with Professional (E-1 to E-7) status of stay ▪ Those who have not violated the Immigration Act or any other laws (excluding the imposition of fines) - (Scope) Areas where foreign students can work part-time
  • https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration_eng/230/454085/download.do
    (F-3, Dependent Family) In the case of holders of Point system Job Seeker (D-10) status, spouse and underage children can be invited as F-3 (Dependent) status only when the principal status holder’s total score is 80 points or higher

What duration, renewal and accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway is officially stated?

D-10 is granted for 6 months (High-Tech Internship: 1 year) and is extendable. Longer-term paths: find employment and change to E-1 to E-7, then F-2 and F-5; or, for tech start-up preparers, move to D-8 and then F-5 after more than 3 years with D-8, investing 300 million won or more and employing 2 or more Korean nationals.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The number of permitted extensions and total maximum D-10 stay are not stated.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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