Study, working holiday and digital nomad visas for South Korea

D-2: studying for a degree

The D-2 covers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes, as well as exchange and research students. You need an admission letter (the standard certificate of admission issued by the university), proof of sufficient funds and your final diploma, usually apostilled; nationals of some countries must also provide a tuberculosis test. It is granted for up to two years at a time, and D-2 students join the National Health Insurance from the day they register.

D-4: Korean language and training

The D-4 is for students of Korean at university language institutes and for other training programmes. Language students cannot work during their first six months. Since October 2025, a K-Trainee variant (D-4-2K) allows students and staff of Korean companies’ overseas offices from designated countries to train in Korea for several months.

Can students work part-time?

Yes, with permission from immigration and within weekly hour limits that depend on the programme, the year of study and Korean-language level (TOPIK). Undergraduates start at about ten hours a week and can work more with a higher TOPIK score; graduate students have their own limits. Check the current rules with your university’s international office before accepting a job.

H-1: the working holiday visa

Korea has working holiday agreements with 30 countries and regions. The age limit is generally 18 to 30, rising to 34 or 35 for some countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom. The visa is usually valid for 12 months, with longer options for a few countries. Holders can work part-time, up to 25 hours a week in most cases, but not in professional or entertainment jobs. Apply at the Korean embassy in your home country, with insurance, proof of funds, a return ticket and a criminal record check.

F-1-D: the workation (digital nomad) visa

Launched as a pilot in January 2024 and made permanent on 30 June 2026, the F-1-D lets remote workers live in Korea while working for a foreign employer.

• Applicants must be 18 or over, employed by a foreign company and have at least one year of experience in the same field.
• Working for Korean employers or earning Korean income is not allowed.
• An income requirement applies, expressed as a multiple of Korea’s GNI per capita; since June 2026 it is lower for applicants under 35 and for those settling outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
• Private health insurance covering treatment and repatriation and a criminal record certificate are required.
• The visa is granted for one year and can be renewed yearly, up to three years. Spouses and minor children can come too.

Apply at a Korean embassy, or switch inside Korea from visa-free (B-1, B-2) or C-3 status, then register within 90 days.

Short stays before you commit

Many future students and nomads visit first — to see a campus, attend an open day or test a neighbourhood. These short, unpaid visits are possible on visa-free entry. If your passport is visa-exempt, you will need an approved K-ETA.