On October 29, 2025, Korea's Ministry of Justice published a D-10 reform package that reshaped almost every key number in the visa. Maximum stay went from 2 years to 3 years. Renewals shifted from 6-month increments to 1-year increments. The cumulative internship cap was abolished entirely, and the per-company internship limit was doubled from 6 months to 1 year. First-time applicants converting from a D-2 student visa to D-10 were made fully exempt from the points system and from financial proof on their initial application. A new sub-code, D-10-3, was formalized for advanced-technology interns.
No English-language guide published before mid-2026 fully reflects these changes. If you are a recent Korean university graduate planning your next step, or a foreign STEM graduate considering Korea's job-search tracks, the visa you are reading about in most existing guides is more restrictive than what is actually available today. This guide reflects the rules in effect as of May 2026.
What the D-10 is (and what it is not)
The job-seeker visa (구직 비자) lets you stay in Korea legally while you look for work, complete internships, or prepare a tech startup. It does not let you start full-time employment. The moment you have a signed employment contract and an agreed start date, you must convert to an E-series work visa before showing up for your first day. The D-10 is a bridge, not a destination.
Within that framework, four sub-codes cover significantly different situations. D-10-1 is the main track for job seekers. D-10-2 is for tech startup founders in the OASIS program. D-10-3 is for STEM interns at qualifying Korean companies or research institutes. D-10-T is a specialized fast track for master's or doctoral graduates of top-100 global universities, in Korea or abroad. Each sub-code has different eligibility rules, stay periods, and pathways forward.
The four D-10 sub-codes
| Sub-code | Name | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| D-10-1 | General job seeker (구직활동) | Korean university graduates, points-eligible foreign graduates, former E-series holders |
| D-10-2 | Startup preparation (기술창업준비) | Foreign tech founders in Korea's OASIS program, targeting a D-8-4 startup visa |
| D-10-3 | Advanced technology intern (첨단기술 인턴) | Overseas STEM bachelor's or master's holders interning at qualifying Korean firms or government research institutes. Age-capped. |
| D-10-T | Top-Tier talent (최우수인재 비자) | Master's or doctoral graduates of QS, THE, or U.S. News top-100 universities, in Korea or abroad |
Who qualifies for D-10-1: four paths
Path 1: Korean university graduate on D-2
If you hold an associate degree or higher from a Korean university and are currently on a D-2 student visa, you can convert to D-10-1 directly. The exemption covers your first change to D-10-1 only. If you leave Korea after graduating, you keep the points exemption by getting a D-10 visa within 1 year of your graduation date. On your first application, you are exempt from the points system and from the financial proof requirement. This is the most used path and, since the October 2025 reform, the most straightforward.
Apply before your D-2 expires. You can use your expected graduation certificate (졸업예정증명서) to apply a few months before you officially graduate, so there is no gap in your legal status. See the D-2 Visa Guide for the D-2 context and the transition timing.
Path 2: Points-based (abroad or in-Korea from non-D-2 status)
If you did not study at a Korean university, you apply through the points system (점수제). You can apply from your home country at a Korean consulate, or convert from an eligible in-Korea status. The minimum score is 60 points out of 190 for most nationalities, and 80 points for nationals of some Ministry-designated countries who change to D-10 inside Korea from B-1, B-2, C-1, C-3, C-4, D-3, E-9, E-10 or G-1. The full scoring table is in the next section.
Path 3: Former E-series holder
Former holders of E-1 through E-7 work visas who want to change to D-10 for job searching are limited to a maximum 1-year total stay in 6-month increments. The points test applies. This path is common for people who lost a job and need time to find a new employer before their E-series status expires.
Path 4: Graduate of an MOE-certified overseas university
In May 2026, Korea's Ministry of Education announced that graduates of 5 certified overseas universities would receive treatment equivalent to Korean university graduates for D-10 and E-7 applications. The names of the 5 universities had not been made public as of this writing. If you graduated from an overseas institution you believe qualifies, verify directly with your nearest Korean consulate or with HiKorea before applying under this path.
D-10-1 exempt categories (no points test required)
Beyond first-time D-2 converters, the following applicant types are exempt from the points system:
- Korean university graduates with TOPIK Level 4 or above, applying within 3 years of graduation
- "Promising Talent": applicants age 29 or under who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a university ranked in the THE or QS top 200 in the last 3 years, or Korean studies majors with TOPIK Level 6.
- Foreign youth who were raised entirely in Korea
- Completers of government-certified vocational caregiving courses
The D-10-1 points system
For Path 2 applicants, the evaluation has three categories. You need at least 20 points from Basic Items to pass; the overall minimum is 60 points (80 for designated-country nationals). Scoring 80 or higher unlocks the 3-year track; scoring 60 to 79 limits you to 1 year total.
Basic Items (maximum 50 points; minimum 20 required)
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Age | |
| 20 to 24 | 10 |
| 25 to 29 | 15 |
| 30 to 34 | 20 |
| 35 to 39 | 15 |
| 40 to 49 | 5 |
| 50 or above | 0 |
| Education | |
| 2-year Korean college (associate degree) | 15 |
| Bachelor's degree | 15 |
| Master's degree | 20 |
| Doctoral degree | 30 |
Age contributes up to 20 points and education up to 30 points, for a Basic Items maximum of 50. At least 20 Basic Items points are required to qualify.
Optional Items (maximum 70 points)
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Domestic (Korea) work experience | |
| 1 to 2 years | 5 |
| 3 to 4 years | 10 |
| 5 years or more | 15 |
| Overseas work experience | |
| 3 to 4 years | 5 |
| 5 to 6 years | 10 |
| 7 years or more | 15 |
| Degree study at a Korean university (2+ years), within 3 years of graduation (any degree level) | 30 |
| Degree study at a Korean university (2+ years), more than 3 years after graduation | |
| 2-year college | 5 |
| Bachelor's | 10 |
| Master's | 15 |
| Doctoral | 20 |
| Other study or training in Korea, 1 year or more (research student, exchange student, language course, or institutional training) | up to 5 |
| Korean language | |
| TOPIK Level 5 or 6, or KIIP Level 5 | 20 |
| TOPIK Level 4, or KIIP Level 4 | 15 |
| TOPIK Level 3, or KIIP Level 3 | 10 |
| TOPIK Level 2, or KIIP Level 2 | 5 |
Bonus Items (maximum 70 points)
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Ministry or consulate recommendation | 20 |
| 1 or more years at a Fortune 500 company (company on a list from the last 3 years, work within the last 10 years) | 20 |
| THE Top-200 or QS Top-500 university graduate | 20 |
| Pilot until October 2027: a national of Vietnam, China, Thailand, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, or the Philippines with a STEM degree from a QS top-1,000 university in their own country, age 29 or under, with TOPIK Level 2 or higher | 20 |
| STEM bachelor's degree | 5 |
| Annual income above USD 50,000 | 5 |
Penalties
Immigration violations or criminal fines deduct up to 60 points from your total. Four or more violations disqualify the application entirely.
Score thresholds
- 80 or more points: 1-year increments, up to 3 years total.
- 60 to 79 points: 6-month increments, up to 1 year total.
- Below 60 points (or below 80 for designated-country nationals): Not eligible.
TOPIK is the single most controllable variable in this table. Moving from no TOPIK to TOPIK Level 4 adds 15 points. Combined with a bachelor's degree and being in your late 20s, that gives 45 points, still 15 short of the 60-point threshold, so most applicants also need points from work experience, study in Korea, or a bonus item. The TOPIK guide and TOPIK for visa points walk through preparation and scheduling.
What you can do on D-10 (and what you cannot)
Permitted activities
Job-search activities (구직활동). Attending interviews, visiting company offices, participating in career fairs, networking events, and submitting applications. These are the core activities the visa was designed for.
Internships. As of October 29, 2025: you may intern with a single company for up to 1 year (previously 6 months), and you may do internships with multiple companies over your D-10 period without any cumulative cap (the previous cumulative limit was abolished). You must notify immigration of your internship start within 15 days of beginning.
Part-time work. D-10-1 holders need a part-time work permit from immigration before starting a part-time job. You qualify only if you meet all of these: a Korean associate degree or higher earned less than 3 years ago, TOPIK Level 4 or KIIP step 4 or higher, and no past stay on an E-1 to E-7 visa. The permit fee is ₩120,000.
- Weekdays: up to 25 hours, or up to 30 hours if you completed KIIP step 5 or higher.
- Weekends and public holidays: no hour limit.
- Manufacturing jobs: only with KIIP step 4 or higher. A TOPIK score does not count for manufacturing.
Not permitted
Full-time employment. You may not start a full-time job on D-10. Once you have a signed employment contract, you must convert to the appropriate E-series visa before starting work. Common destinations are E-7 (professional work) or E-2 (English teaching). See the D-2 to E-7 Conversion Guide for the conversion process.
Stay periods and renewal
The October 2025 reform changed these figures significantly. The table below reflects the current rules.
| Track | Per issuance | Maximum total stay |
|---|---|---|
| D-10-1 with 80+ points, or points-exempt (TOPIK 4 graduate, youth raised in Korea, Promising Talent) | 1 year | 3 years |
| D-10-1 first change from D-2 (points-exempt the first time) | 1 year | Points test applies from the first extension |
| D-10-1 caregiver-course completer | 6 months | 3 years |
| D-10-1 with 60 to 79 points | 6 months | 1 year |
| Former E-1 through E-7 holder on D-10 | 6 months | 1 year |
| D-10-3 advanced technology intern | 1 year | 3 years |
| D-10-T Top-Tier | 1 year | 3 years |
There is no grace period at the end of your authorized stay. You must depart Korea or complete a renewal before your final permitted day. Overstaying creates fines and can result in a re-entry ban that affects future visa applications. Apply for renewal up to 4 months before your current status expires.
The application: process, documents, fees, timeline
In-Korea conversion: D-2 to D-10 (most common route)
Most readers are D-2 graduates applying at a local immigration office or through HiKorea. Here is the process.
When to apply. Immigration accepts D-10 conversion applications starting 4 months before your D-2 expires. As a best practice, apply 1 to 2 months before expiry to leave buffer time for document corrections. You can use your expected graduation certificate (졸업예정증명서) to apply before graduation. This prevents a gap in legal status between your D-2 expiring and your D-10 being issued.
Book a HiKorea appointment. Status changes and extensions inside Korea require an appointment at your local immigration office, booked through hikorea.go.kr. Immigration offices in Seoul (particularly Mapo and Yeongdeungpo) can run 4 to 6 weeks out during peak seasons (February and August, following graduation ceremonies). Book early.
Documents for a first-time D-2 graduate:
- Valid passport
- Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증)
- Integrated application Form 34 (통합신청서), completed in full
- Graduation certificate (졸업증명서) or expected graduation certificate (졸업예정증명서)
- Official transcript from your Korean university
- Job-seeking activity plan (구직활동계획서): your post-graduation plan, why you are looking for work in Korea, what kinds of positions you are targeting, and what you have done so far. Immigration officers treat this as the most important document in the initial application. Be specific. Vague plans raise questions; a clear 3-to-6-month job-search strategy with named sectors, target employers, and a language-study component signals that you are using the visa for its stated purpose. A separate cover letter (자기소개서) may also be requested.
- Proof of current residence (lease agreement, certificate of residence, or accommodation confirmation from a university or guesthouse)
- Application fee
Documents for points-based applicants (all of the above, plus):
- Bank statements covering the financial proof period (one year's single-person minimum living cost times the number of months requested, approximately)
- TOPIK or KIIP score certificate
- Work experience certificates
- Diploma and transcript from the degree-granting institution (foreign degrees may require verification)
- Evidence for each points category you are claiming
Fees. Based on available sources, the status change fee is approximately ₩100,000 and the extension fee is approximately ₩60,000 (as of 2026, verify current amounts at hikorea.go.kr before you apply).
Processing time. Typically 1 to 4 weeks depending on the immigration office and application volume.
Financial proof waiver. First-time D-2 graduates making their first change to D-10-1 do not need to provide financial proof on their initial D-10 application. This waiver applies to the initial application only. Renewals after the first year require the standard financial documentation.
Applying from abroad
If you are outside Korea and want to enter on D-10, apply at the Korean consulate in your country of residence. The points test applies unless you fall into an exempt category. Processing times at consulates vary; contact your specific consulate for current timelines before making travel plans.
D-10-2: the OASIS startup track
The D-10-2 is for foreign nationals preparing a technology startup in Korea. It is administered through the OASIS program (Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System), managed by the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED).
To qualify, you need a bachelor's degree or higher (a Korean associate degree also counts) and at least one of these: a Korean patent, utility model, or design right, registered or pending with examination requested; current participation in an OASIS course, or completion of one in the last 3 years; a K-Startup Grand Challenge recommendation from KISED; or an OECD-country IP right. You also submit a technology startup plan. Documents typically include: passport, apostilled degree certificate, OASIS completion certificate, proof of residence, business plan, and a Korean bank statement.
Your stay limit depends on what you bring. If you hold a registered Korean patent, utility model, or design right, hold an OECD-country IP right, scored 35 or more on the startup immigration points system, or have a K-Startup Grand Challenge recommendation, you can stay up to 3 years, granted 1 year at a time. If your patent application is still pending, you are taking or have completed an OASIS course, or you meet at least one required item of the startup points system, the limit is 1 year, granted 6 months at a time. After D-10-2, the next step is the D-8-4 startup visa once you have a registered corporation, intellectual property protection, and at least 60 OASIS evaluation points.
Once your startup is incorporated, you have IP protection in place, and you earn 60 or more OASIS evaluation points, you can convert to a D-8-4 startup visa. The D-10-2 is a preparation stage, not a permanent home.
D-10-T: the Top-Tier track
The D-10-T (최우수인재 비자) launched April 2, 2025. It is a fast-track job-seeker visa for a narrow group: master's or doctoral graduates of universities in the QS, THE, or U.S. News top-100 rankings, in Korea or abroad, with the degree earned in the last 5 years. At launch the sectors were semiconductors, EV batteries, biotech, displays, robotics, and defense. A 2026 expansion broadened the program to 8 high-tech sectors, adding AI and aerospace. Confirm the current eligible sectors at HiKorea before applying.
Two things to be clear about. First, a Korean master's or doctorate from a top-100 university qualifies: the HiKorea stay manual asks for a degree certificate from a top university in Korea or abroad. Most Korean graduates still use D-10-1. Second, D-10-T is a formal sub-code: the HiKorea stay manual lists D-10-T (최우수인재) as created in April 2025.
Stay period: up to 3 years. A D-10-T visa issued at a Korean consulate gives an initial 6-month stay. A change to D-10-T inside Korea is granted for 1 year, and later grants are also 1 year.
The pipeline: D-10-T leads to E-7-T (special talent work visa). Conversion to E-7-T requires a confirmed job offer and a salary of approximately 3 times Korea's GNI per capita (currently ₩149,865,000, based on the 2024 GNI of ₩49,955,000 used by the Ministry of Justice; the 2025 GNI of ₩52,416,000 announced in March 2026 has not yet been incorporated into the E-7-T threshold), plus either 8 or more years of professional experience with 3 or more years at a Global 500 company, or 5 or more years of post-doctoral work with 3 or more years at a top global research institute. After E-7-T, the path continues to F-2-T residency and then F-5-T permanent residency. See the F-5 Visa Guide for the F-5 endpoint.
This is a narrow track. The qualifying salary and experience requirements for E-7-T are demanding. If you are a master's or doctoral graduate from a top-100 institution in a listed sector, it is worth serious consideration. With a Korean degree, it is open to you only if your master's or doctorate is from a top-100 university.
D-10-3: the advanced technology intern track
The D-10-3 (첨단기술 인턴) sub-code was formalized as part of the October 2025 reform package. It fills a specific gap: STEM-credentialed overseas graduates who want to intern at a qualifying Korean employer before committing to full-time E-7 employment.
Who qualifies. Bachelor's degree or higher in a STEM field, from an overseas university ranked in THE Top-200 or QS Top-500. Eligibility extends to currently enrolled students and graduates within 3 years of degree completion. Age cap: bachelor's holders must be under 30; master's holders must be under 35.
Where you can intern. The host must be a KOSPI-listed or KOSDAQ-listed Korean company, or a government-funded research institute, operating in semiconductors, IT, nano, digital electronics, or biotech.
Stay period. Up to 3 years, in 1-year increments.
The transition to E-7. After completing 1 or more years on D-10-3, you can convert to an E-7 professional work visa. The standard E-7 education and career requirements are waived for D-10-3 holders making this conversion, provided your salary meets the GNI per capita threshold. This is a significant advantage: typical E-7 applicants must demonstrate specific degree credentials and, in some cases, prior work experience. D-10-3 holders converting after a qualifying internship skip those hurdles. See the E-7-M Visa Guide for context on E-7 requirements.
Bringing your spouse and minor children: the F-3 dependent visa
This is the most under-reported aspect of the D-10 visa. The rule is firm: D-10-1 holders must score 80 or more points to sponsor an F-3 dependent visa (가족동반 비자). If you score 60 to 79 points, you cannot bring your spouse or children on F-3 during your D-10 stay. This is not a gray area.
First-time D-2 graduates who are exempt from the points test are effectively treated as 80-point applicants for this purpose, but confirm with your local immigration office before starting an F-3 application.
Beyond the score requirement, three 2025 F-3 rule changes affect all D-10 holders:
April 2025: apostille required. Marriage certificates, birth certificates, and other family documents must be apostilled if your home country is a Hague Convention member, or formally legalized through the relevant embassy if it is not. Korean or English translations must accompany the originals.
April 2025: in-Korea status change to F-3 suspended. Family members who are currently in Korea on a tourist visa, student visa, or any other status cannot change their status to F-3 inside Korea. They must apply at a Korean consulate in their home country. Exceptions exist only for humanitarian circumstances including illness, pregnancy, and childbirth.
July 2025: financial proof by household size. The primary D-10 holder must demonstrate annual income or financial capacity meeting the minimum living standard threshold:
- 2-person household: approximately ₩23,595,948 per year (as of 2025; verify the current figure at HiKorea)
- 3-person household: approximately ₩30,152,118 per year
- Where income falls short by less than 10%, the shortfall can be covered by bank deposits equal to 5 times the shortfall amount
F-3 renewals must coincide with the primary D-10 holder's own renewal. The full F-3 process is in the F-3 Visa Guide.
From D-10 to E-7 (and the F-2-7 fast track)
D-10 to E-7
When you receive a job offer and sign a contract, your employer applies to sponsor your E-7 professional work visa. You cannot start work until the E-7 is issued. The application process, required documents, and qualification criteria are covered in the D-2 to E-7 Conversion Guide.
D-10 to F-2-7 direct (Korean master's or doctoral graduates)
For Korean university graduates holding a master's or doctoral degree, a direct path to F-2-7 long-term residency is available without going through an E-series visa first. The conditions:
- A Korean master's or doctoral degree, with the job confirmed within 5 years of the degree date
- Confirmed qualifying employment (this typically means an E-7 job offer or a signed contract, in practice)
- 80 or more points on the F-2-7 evaluation system
Note: employment at a KOSPI- or KOSDAQ-listed company is its own F-2-7 track. It covers people who work at, or have signed a contract with, a listed company in a manager or professional occupation, and they still need 80 or more points. In the immigration manual, the 3-year continuous-stay condition is listed only under the E-series professional track. If you join a listed company and cannot yet submit an income certificate, the salary in your employment contract is used instead. Confirm the exact pathway at HiKorea before building your timeline around it. The F-2 Visa Guide covers the full F-2-7 points table.
What changed in 2024 to 2026
If you are relying on advice from a friend who navigated this process before 2024, these are the changes that matter:
- April 2, 2025: D-10-T (Top-Tier talent track, 최우수인재 비자) launched. Available to master's or doctoral graduates of QS, THE, or U.S. News top-100 universities, in Korea or abroad.
- April 2025: F-3 dependent visa now requires apostilled family documents. In-Korea status change to F-3 suspended except for humanitarian exceptions.
- July 2025: F-3 financial proof requirement introduced, tied to household size and the minimum living standard.
- October 29, 2025: D-10 reform package. Maximum stay extended from 2 years to 3 years. Renewals shifted from 6-month to 1-year increments. Per-company internship cap doubled from 6 months to 1 year. Cumulative internship cap abolished. First-time D-2 converter exemption from points test and financial proof formalized. D-10-3 advanced technology intern sub-code formalized.
- March 2026: The Bank of Korea announced the 2025 GNI per capita at ₩52,416,000. The Ministry of Justice has not yet incorporated this newer figure into the E-7-T salary threshold, which still applies the 2024 GNI of ₩49,955,000 (a 3× threshold of ₩149,865,000).
- May 2026: Ministry of Education announced 5 certified overseas universities whose graduates will receive D-10 and E-7 treatment equivalent to Korean university graduates. University names not yet made public as of May 2026.
- June 1, 2026: Korea expanded the Top-Tier visa program to 8 high-tech sectors, adding AI and aerospace to the original 6, and broadened access for professors and researchers.
For the full picture of Korea visa changes across all categories, see the Korea 2026 Visa Changes Guide.
Bottom line
For Korean university graduates, the post-October 2025 D-10 is genuinely generous. Up to three years, with no points requirement and no financial proof on the first application. Use the time intentionally. Completing an internship within your first year, maintaining your Korean with a TOPIK study plan, and hitting TOPIK Level 4 before your first renewal meets one of the conditions for a part-time work permit and smooths the points calculation if your second year requires a standard renewal. The best job sites in Korea and Korean resume guide are the practical next steps after your D-10 is in hand.
For applicants outside the Korean university system, the 60-point threshold is achievable but requires planning. Age and education alone may not get you there; TOPIK is typically the most accessible lever. A 25-to-29-year-old with a bachelor's degree and TOPIK Level 3 scores 30 points on Basic Items (15 age + 15 education) and 10 on Optional, totaling 40. Not enough. The same person with TOPIK Level 4 gets to 45, still short. Move to age 30-to-34 (adds 5 points), add 3-to-4 years of overseas work experience (5 points), and a STEM bachelor's bonus (5 points) and you reach 60. Map your own score before applying.
For master's or doctoral graduates of top-100 universities, D-10-T is a faster and more targeted track than D-10-1. The entry bar is higher, but the E-7-T to F-5-T pipeline that follows is more direct than what most D-10-1 holders can access.