How to move to Korea with little or no work experience

8 ways in · 24 programs · Checked Nov 4, 2026

Language school, study, working holiday, teaching, internships, and more. Enter your passport and age to see which ones match you and which one closes next.

Key facts

  • This page lists 8 ways into Korea for people with little or no work experience, with 24 programs checked against official pages on Nov 4, 2026.
  • Some ways into Korea need no degree: the five Korean language institutes on this page (D-4 visa) take high school graduates, and the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for undergraduates takes applicants under 25.
  • A working holiday (H-1) needs no degree for most partner countries. The age limit is 30 for many countries and 34 or 35 for some, and the visa manual asks for proof of funds of at least ₩3,000,000.
  • Some ways into Korea do not ask for any Korean: the language institutes on this page start with a beginner level, the K-Startup Grand Challenge runs in English, and the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program states that no Korean is required.
  • Some ways into Korea pay you. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) covers tuition, a year of Korean, and flights, plus a monthly allowance; the English Program in Korea (EPIK) pays about ₩2,200,000 to ₩2,800,000 a month outside Seoul, with housing.
  • The job-seeker visa (D-10) gives you time in Korea to look for a job. It needs a bachelor's degree and 60 of 190 points.

See which ways in match your answers

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Your ways in

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Next 90 days

Deadlines from official pages, soonest first. A green tag marks the ones that match your answers above.

What are the ways into Korea with little experience?

The main skilled-work visa (E-7) usually asks for a related master's degree, a related bachelor's degree plus 1 year of experience, or 5 years of related work experience. With little or no experience, you can enter Korea through a Korean language school (D-4), degree study with or without a Global Korea Scholarship (D-2), or a working holiday if your country has an agreement (H-1). You can also teach English on one of 7 passports (E-2), take an internship, use the job-seeker visa (D-10) after a bachelor's degree, or join a startup program.

01

Korean language programs

D-4-1

The five university language institutes listed here accept foreigners with a high school diploma. Their terms are 10 weeks and start four times a year, and the first level is for beginners. For the D-4 visa you also need proof of funds. Check the amount on the school's page. Part-time work is allowed after 6 months, with permission.

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Yonsei University Korean Language Institute (연세대학교 한국어학당)

Yonsei University, Seoul

Who can apply
You need a high school diploma by the deadline. No age limit.
Cost or pay
₩1,960,000 a term (2027), plus ₩130,000 to apply
Visa
D-4-1 (language training)
Next
Apply by Jan 15, 2027, for the spring term (classes from Mar 5)
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Seoul National University Language Education Institute (서울대학교 언어교육원)

Seoul National University

Who can apply
A high school diploma or equivalent. You take a placement test.
Cost or pay
₩1,800,000 a term (morning) or ₩1,650,000 (afternoon), plus ₩100,000 to apply
Visa
D-4-1 (language training)
Next
Apply by Dec 24, 2026, for the spring term (classes from Mar 8)
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Korea University Korean Language Center (고려대학교 한국어센터)

Korea University, Seoul

Who can apply
Foreigners and overseas Koreans with a high school diploma.
Cost or pay
₩1,800,000 a term, plus a ₩120,000 admission fee
Visa
D-4-1 (language training)
Next
Apply by Jan 22, 2027, for the spring term
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Sogang University Korean Language Education Center (서강대학교 한국어교육원)

Sogang University, Seoul

Who can apply
Foreigners and overseas Koreans with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Cost or pay
₩1,860,000 a term (morning), plus ₩100,000 to apply
Visa
D-4-1 (language training)
Next
Apply by Jan 15, 2027, for the spring term
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Incheon National University Korean Language Institute (인천대학교 한국어학당)

Incheon National University

Who can apply
A high school diploma. Level 1 is for beginners.
Cost or pay
₩1,300,000 a term, plus ₩70,000 to apply
Visa
D-4-1 (language training)
Next
Last year's spring window ran from Dec 1, 2025 to Jan 2, 2026. Check the institute for 2027 dates.
Go to official page
Read the Korean language schools guideBrowse language schools
02

Degree study and scholarships

D-2

Foreign nationals can apply for degree study on a D-2 visa, and some nationalities have extra document steps. After a degree in Korea, the job-seeker visa (D-10) gives you time to look for work in Korea. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) covers tuition, a year of Korean first, flights, and a monthly allowance.

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees 2027 (정부초청 외국인 학부 장학생)

National Institute for International Education (NIIED)

Who can apply
Under 25. High school graduate. Neither you nor your parents hold Korean citizenship. 286 places.
Cost or pay
Covers tuition up to ₩5,000,000 a semester, a year of Korean, and flights. Pays ₩14,400,000 a year during the degree
Visa
D-2 (degree study)
Next
The embassy track closed on Sep 30, 2026. The university track closes at each university between September and November 2026.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees (정부초청 외국인 대학원 장학생)

National Institute for International Education (NIIED)

Who can apply
Under 40. You need a bachelor's degree to apply for a master's, or a master's to apply for a doctorate. Grades in the top 20% or similar.
Cost or pay
Covers tuition up to ₩5,000,000, a year of Korean, and flights. Pays ₩16,560,000 a year during the degree (2026)
Visa
D-2 (degree study)
Next
The 2026 embassy round ran from Feb 12 to Feb 25, 2026. Check Study in Korea for the 2027 notice.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

KAIST international undergraduate admission with KAIST Scholarship

KAIST, Daejeon

Who can apply
Foreign citizens who meet one of two rules: neither parent is a Korean citizen, or the applicant is of Korean origin and all schooling from elementary to high school was outside Korea. High school graduate by Aug 31, 2027. Freshman entry only.
Cost or pay
The KAIST Scholarship covers full tuition for 8 semesters and pays ₩350,000 a month for living costs
Visa
D-2
Next
Apply by Jan 14, 2027, 6 PM Korea time, for Fall 2027
Go to official page
Read the GKS scholarship guideRead the university scholarships guide
03

Working holiday

H-1

Some countries and regions have a working holiday agreement with Korea. You can work, travel, and study for up to a year, or longer for a few countries. The age limit and the number of places each year depend on your passport.

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Working holiday for UK citizens (관광취업)

Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) London

Who can apply
UK passport holders living in the UK, aged 18 to 35. First working holiday only.
Cost or pay
Visa and service fees. Proof of funds of £2,530.
Visa
H-1, 1 or 2 years (your choice)
Next
5,000 places a year. Apply through KVAC London.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 4, 2026

Working holiday for Canadian citizens (관광취업)

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Canada

Who can apply
Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35. You can take part twice.
Cost or pay
Proof of funds is required. The visa manual sets ₩3,000,000.
Visa
H-1, up to 24 months
Next
12,000 places a year. Apply at the Korean embassy or consulate that serves you.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Working holiday for Taiwanese citizens (관광취업)

Korean Mission in Taipei

Who can apply
Taiwanese nationals, 18 to 34, first working holiday only.
Cost or pay
No visa fee. Bank balance of US$3,000.
Visa
H-1, 1 year, multiple entry
Next
Apply by Dec 4, 2026, or earlier if the 800 places fill
Go to official page
Read the working holiday visa guideRead the guide to working in Korea by passport
04

Teaching

E-2

English teaching is open to 7 passports and needs a bachelor's degree. Public schools (EPIK) pay about ₩2,200,000 to ₩2,800,000 a month outside Seoul, depending on level and province, with housing. Chinese citizens can teach Chinese in Korean schools through CPIK.

Checked Nov 3, 2026

English Program in Korea (EPIK) (원어민영어보조교사)

NIIED, for the regional offices of education

Who can apply
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, schooled there from grade 7. A bachelor's degree plus a TEFL of 100 hours or more, or a teaching qualification.
Cost or pay
Pays about ₩2,200,000 to ₩2,800,000 a month outside Seoul, by level and province, with housing and a settlement allowance
Visa
E-2, 1-year contract
Next
Spring 2027 applications opened on Aug 1, 2026, on a rolling basis. Contracts start in late February.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Chinese Program in Korea (CPIK) (원어민중국어보조교사)

National Institute for International Education (NIIED)

Who can apply
Chinese citizens with a bachelor's degree who have finished pre-training at China's Center for Language Education and Cooperation (중외언어교류협력센터). Priority for Chinese-teaching, Korean or education majors.
Cost or pay
Salary shared between the Korean and Chinese organizers, with housing
Visa
Up to 1 year
Next
NIIED invites teachers selected on the Chinese side.
Go to official page
Read the guide to teaching English in KoreaSee teaching jobs
05

Internships

Varies

The Green Climate Fund and the International Vaccine Institute take students and recent graduates, and both ask for strong English. Korean companies can bring in university students from 9 Asian countries on the K-Trainee internship visa.

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Green Climate Fund Internship Programme

Green Climate Fund, Songdo, Incheon

Who can apply
Any nationality. Master's or PhD students, or recent graduates in a related field.
Cost or pay
A stipend of US$1,600 a month. Interns recruited from abroad also get a round-trip flight.
Next
Recruiting usually runs from December to early January, for a July start.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

International Vaccine Institute Internship (국제백신연구소 인턴십)

International Vaccine Institute, Seoul

Who can apply
Students, or graduates within one year. Fluent English.
Cost or pay
An internship allowance of US$200 a week, full time. No help with travel or housing.
Next
Applications usually open in March and April, for May to September.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

K-Trainee internship visa (기업 맞춤형 인턴십)

Ministry of Justice. The Korean company applies.

Who can apply
Citizens of Vietnam, China, Thailand, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, or the Philippines. Aged 29 or under, third-year university student or above, with TOPIK 2.
Visa
D-4-2K, up to 6 months plus 1 month, and up to 1 year in total
Next
The company applies for you at its local immigration office.
Go to official page
Read the guide to internships in KoreaSee internship jobs
06

Job-seeker visa and top-graduate rules

D-10, E-7

After a bachelor's degree, the D-10 visa gives you time in Korea to look for a job. It is a points visa for looking for a job. You cannot take a regular job on it, but short internships that pay a training allowance are allowed. Graduates of top universities in 9 Asian countries get extra help.

Checked Nov 4, 2026

Job-seeker visa (D-10-1) (구직)

Ministry of Justice

Who can apply
Bachelor's degree or higher, and 60 of 190 points. Points come from age, degree, Korean (TOPIK), work experience, and study or training in Korea, plus bonus items such as a top-ranked university, Fortune 500 work, or a STEM degree. Immigration-law violations subtract points.
Cost or pay
The visa fee, plus proof of funds in a bank account
Visa
D-10-1. From abroad, a 6-month single-entry visa. Up to 3 years in total, depending on your points.
Next
Apply at a Korean consulate in your home country or the country where you live.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 4, 2026

Extra D-10 points for top-university STEM graduates (아시아권 QS 1,000위 이내 현지 대학 이공계 졸업생)

Ministry of Justice

Who can apply
Citizens of Vietnam, China, Thailand, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, or the Philippines. Aged 29 or under, with TOPIK 2 and a STEM degree from a university in their country ranked in the QS top 1,000.
Cost or pay
Counts toward your D-10-1 application. The usual visa fee applies.
Visa
20 extra points toward the D-10-1 visa
Next
A pilot that runs until October 2027.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 4, 2026

No work experience needed for an E-7 visa (top-university STEM graduates)

Ministry of Justice

Who can apply
The same 9 countries and the same rules: 29 or under, TOPIK 2, and a STEM degree from a university in your country ranked in the QS top 1,000.
Cost or pay
You still need a job offer from a Korean employer.
Visa
E-7, without the usual work-experience requirement
Next
Apply when a Korean employer offers you a job.
Go to official page
Read the D-10 job-seeker visa guideSee jobs that fit D-10
07

Startup programs

D-8-4, D-10-2

These programs are for founders. The visa comes through the program, not a job offer. The K-Startup Grand Challenge runs in English.

Checked Nov 3, 2026

K-Startup Grand Challenge

Ministry of SMEs and Startups (ksgc.global)

Who can apply
Founders from outside Korea (the CEO is not Korean). Companies up to 7 years old. The 2026 guidelines plan to select about 100 teams.
Cost or pay
The 40 teams in phase 2 get ₩4,000,000 twice, for travel costs such as airfare. The top 20 share ₩380,000,000 in prizes.
Visa
D-10-2, then D-8-4 for the top 20
Next
The 2026 round ran from May 6 to Jun 17, 2026. Check the K-Startup Grand Challenge site for the next round.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Startup Korea special visa (스타트업 코리아 특별비자)

Ministry of SMEs and Startups, KISED and the Ministry of Justice

Who can apply
Non-Korean founders of a new or existing startup. No degree or OASIS points needed.
Visa
D-8-4(S)
Next
Apply online by Dec 30, 2026
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

OASIS startup immigration courses (창업이민종합지원시스템)

Global Start-up Immigration Centers

Who can apply
Check each cohort's notice to see who can join.
Visa
Points toward D-8-4 and D-10-2
Next
The 11th OASIS-1 cohort, taught in English, closes Nov 8, 2026.
Go to official page
Read the startup and investor visa guide
08

Fellowships, short programs, and job fairs

Varies

Short stays and fellowships. Some are paid. Each one is tied to a passport, an age, or current study.

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program, Korea

Korean-American Educational Commission (Fulbright Korea)

Who can apply
US citizens under 30. You need a bachelor's or master's degree by the start date. 75 places.
Cost or pay
Pays about ₩2,100,000 to ₩2,300,000 a month, with housing and international travel benefits
Next
The 2027-28 round is closed. Check the Fulbright Korea page for the next round.
Go to official page

Checked Nov 3, 2026

Yonsei International Summer School 2027

Yonsei University, Seoul

Who can apply
Students at, or admitted to, a university outside Korea.
Cost or pay
₩2,020,000 for one course (2026 fees)
Next
Apply by May 6, 2027 (applications open Jan 11)
Go to official page
See job fairs

Questions people ask

Can I move to Korea without a degree?

Yes. The language schools on this page (D-4) ask for a high school diploma. Degree study (D-2) takes high school graduates too. A working holiday needs no degree for most partner countries, but US citizens must be university students or have graduated in the last year (the WEST program). Teaching English (E-2) and the job-seeker visa (D-10) both need a bachelor's degree.

Can I move to Korea without speaking Korean?

Yes. The language schools listed here start with a beginner level. The K-Startup Grand Challenge runs in English, and the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program states that no Korean is required. Check each program's page for its language rules.

I'm over 30. What can I still do?

Some ways in stay open for older applicants. The working holiday age limit is 30 for many countries and 34 or 35 for some. Yonsei's Korean Language Institute states no age limit, and the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for graduate degrees takes applicants under 40.

Can I work on a language school visa?

Yes, but only part-time, and only after 6 months in Korea. You need permission from immigration first, and there are limits on attendance and hours.

What is the cheapest way in?

The cheapest ways in are the programs that pay you. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) covers tuition, a year of Korean, and flights, and pays a monthly allowance. The English Program in Korea (EPIK) pays about ₩2,200,000 to ₩2,800,000 a month outside Seoul, with housing. A working holiday needs proof of funds of at least ₩3,000,000. Language school tuition at the five schools listed here runs from ₩1,300,000 to ₩1,960,000 a term, plus living costs.

How we check this: every card links to the program's official site or notice and shows the date we last checked it. Rules and dates change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.