Korean visa

H-1 Visa Korea: Working Holiday Visa (관광취업) (2026)

Bilateral working holiday: extended tourism with incidental work.

Reviewed by the Seoulstart Visa Desk

Who this visa is for

Ages 18–30 from partner countries, once per lifetime for most nationalities.

H-1 visa key facts

  • The H-1 lets citizens of approximately 30 partner countries and regions live in Korea for up to 12 months, working part-time to fund their stay
  • The standard age range is 18 to 30; Canada, the UK, and several European countries allow up to age 34 or 35
  • Most H-1 holders may work a maximum of 25 hours per week; Canadians under the 2024 Youth Mobility Arrangement may work full-time up to 40 hours
  • H-1 holders cannot work as language instructors, doctors, lawyers, pilots, or in adult entertainment venues
  • US citizens access the program via WEST, open only to current university students or graduates within one year of graduation

Read the full guide

Korea's Working Holiday Visa (H-1): Who Qualifies, What You Can Do, and What Comes Next

Korea's H-1 working holiday visa (관광취업): which countries qualify, age limits, the WEST program for US citizens, work rules, and what happens when it expires.

Continue to the full H-1 guide

Other Korean visa codes

For the full reference on Korean visa categories, see all Seoulstart visa guides.