Job search and startup in South Korea
A visa for foreign nationals looking for work in Korea in the fields of skilled professionals, teachers or researchers, and for those planning to launch a technology startup based on a patent or an industrial design. It gives a separate status of stay while an employer is being sought or a business prepared — without the right to take a permanent position or run a business until a move to the relevant work status.
Source: Republic of Korea visa portal (visa.go.kr), list of visa types
Who can obtain one
The official visa portal divides the status into two sub-types — for seeking work and for launching a business.
Job search (D-10-1)
- Plans an internship or a job search in the fields of professor (E-1), foreign language instructor (E-2), researcher (E-3), technical instructor (E-4), specialist (E-5), artist or sportsperson (E-6) or foreign national of special ability (E-7)
- Both job searching and paid internships, including short ones, at an organisation or company in Korea are allowed
- For the artist or sportsperson category (E-6) — only fine art or sport; the adult entertainment field is excluded
Business startup (D-10-2)
- Plans to launch a startup that meets point C of the corporate investment category (D-8)
- May take part in OASIS programmes, apply for intellectual property rights or apply to establish a business
What it costs
| Single-entry visa, stay of up to 90 days | 40 USD |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa, stay of more than 90 days | 60 USD |
| Double-entry visa, up to 2 entries | 70 USD |
| Multiple-entry visa with unlimited entries | 90 USD |
Documents to gather
The list for filing through a Korean embassy or consulate.
- Application form — form No. 17 of the visa portal (or the electronic form in the "Application" section on visa.go.kr)
- Passport
- Colour photograph 3.5x4.5 cm
- Documents for the particular sub-status — the list is confirmed on the visa portal's Visa Navigator or on the website of the Korean diplomatic mission
How the process runs
The procedure for applying from abroad or changing status inside Korea.
- 1
Gather the documents
You will need application form No. 17, a passport and a colour photograph 3.5x4.5 cm. The additional list for sub-status D-10-1 or D-10-2 is confirmed on the visa portal's Visa Navigator.
- 2
Apply for the visa or for a change of status
The application form and documents are filed at a Korean embassy or consulate. If the applicant is already in the country on another status, the change of status to D-10 is arranged at the immigration office for their place of residence.
- 3
Register as a foreign resident
90 days after entryA long-term resident foreign national must, within 90 days of entry, register as a foreign resident or file a notification of their place of residence at the immigration office.
- 4
Obtain the status for seeking work or launching a business
up to 1 year per renewal, up to 3 years in totalFrom 29 October 2025 D-10 status is granted for up to one year per renewal, and up to three years in total instead of the previous two. Internships within the job search are no longer capped in total, but at one company they may not exceed one year.
Renewal and the grace period
The renewal is arranged at the immigration office for your place of residence. From 29 October 2025 each renewal of D-10 status is granted for up to one year instead of the previous six months, and the total period of stay on this status has been increased from two years to three. At the same time the cap on the total internship period was removed and the limit on an internship at one company was raised from six months to one year.
How it differs from the routes next to it
The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.
| Job search and startup | visa for remote workers | Work visa for specialists | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa term | 6 months is granted at a time, and up to 2 years in total | Around 1 year (one renewal possible); the rules are still taking shape | 1-2 years initially, renewable |
| Work | Internships are allowed for a year in total, and for no more than 6 months at one company | Remote work only for a foreign employer; local work is prohibited | Work for the sponsor; a change requires approval |
| Residence | Alien registration — within 90 days of entry | Stay within the permitted period; it does not count towards permanent residence | Mainly residence; absences are restricted for permanent residence |
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
D-10 is on the list of statuses that count towards permanent residence: 5 years on D-7 to D-10, E-1 to E-7 or F-2 give the right to apply for F-5. Besides the period, conduct, the ability to support yourself and basic knowledge of the country are assessed.
Route to citizenship
Since 20 December 2018 only holders of permanent residence (F-5) may apply for general naturalisation. It requires 5 years of continuous residence in Korea, income or support from family, and knowledge of the Korean language and customs. The application fee is 300,000 won.
Frequently asked questions about Job search and startup
Who can obtain a D-10 visa?
How much does a D-10 visa cost?
How long can you stay in Korea on a D-10 visa?
Can you undertake an internship on D-10?
How do sub-statuses D-10-1 and D-10-2 differ?
Do you have to register with the immigration service after entry?
Other ways to move to South Korea
- Workcation VisaDigital nomad
- E-7 VisaWork residence permit
- D-8 VisaBusiness residence permit
- F-2-RResidence permit (points-based)
- F-5 VisaPermanent residence
- Status of RefugeeAsylum / refugee status
- Study visaStudy visa
- International trade and business management visaBusiness visa
- Visa for ethnic KoreansAncestry visa
- Visa for spouses of Korean nationalsFamily visa
Every route in one list — migration programmes: South Korea.
The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.