📋 Fact-checked: 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (March 2026, p.123–136) — Ministry of Justice, Korea
The D-10 (구직, Job Seeker) visa is Korea’s dedicated visa for foreign professionals who want to legally stay in Korea while searching for employment or doing internships. It’s one of the most misunderstood visas in the Korean immigration system — the point system, the internship rules, the financial proof requirement, and the extension conditions all generate constant confusion.
This guide answers every question that comes up repeatedly — including the ones about financial proof, internship reporting, how long you can stay, and what happens when you can’t find a job in time.
📑 In this guide
- The Four Types of D-10 Visa
- D-10-1 General Job Seeker: How the Point System Works
- Who Is Exempt from the Point System
- Full D-10-1 Point Score Table
- Required Documents by Type
- Internship on D-10: What’s Allowed
- Financial Proof (체재비): When Required and When Waived
- How Long Can You Stay: 1 Year vs 6 Months
- Extending Your D-10 Visa
- D-10 → E-7: How the Transition Works
- FAQ: Questions From the Community
1. The Four Types of D-10 Visa
📋 Source: 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.123
D-10-1
General Job Seeker
Job hunting and paid internships at companies hiring for E-7-eligible roles. Point system applies (60+ points required). Most common type — covers the majority of international graduates and professionals.
D-10-2
Tech Startup Preparation
For those preparing to launch a tech startup in Korea — patent filing, company establishment preparation, OASIS program participation. Internship work is limited for this type.
D-10-3
Advanced Tech Internship
For students or recent graduates (within 3 years) under age 30 from top global universities (THE 200 / QS 500). Intern at qualifying Korean tech company or research institution.
D-10-T
Top Talent
For graduates (master’s degree or higher, within 5 years) from universities ranked top 100 globally (THE or QS). Point system waived entirely. Introduced April 2025.
2. D-10-1 General Job Seeker: How the Point System Works
📋 Source: 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.124, 132–136
The standard D-10-1 requires a minimum score from a 190-point system. The requirement: total score of 60 points or more AND basic items score of at least 20 points.
📊 The two-part requirement
Basic items (연령 + 최종학력) are capped at 50 points — you must score at least 20 of these 50 points. Then your total across all categories must reach 60. This means even a perfect score on optional items can’t compensate for failing the basic items minimum. Check your basic items score first before calculating total.
3. Who Is Exempt from the Point System
The following categories do not need to meet the 60-point requirement:
| Category | Exemption details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Korean university graduates (최초 변경) | Point system fully waived for first D-10 application after graduation from a Korean university (전문학사 이상) | Exemption applies only to the FIRST D-10 application. Renewals require the point system. Must apply within 1 year of graduation date. |
| Korean university graduates with TOPIK 4+ | Point system waived if TOPIK Level 4 or above (or equivalent KIIP) — valid for up to 3 years after graduation | After 3 years from graduation date, normal point system applies. TOPIK score must be valid (2-year validity). |
| Promising Talent (유망인재) — under 29 | Point system waived for overseas graduates aged 29 or under from THE/QS top 200 universities, or Korean Studies majors with TOPIK 6 | Financial proof waived too for this category |
| D-10-T Top Talent | Fully exempt — for master’s degree or higher from global top 100 universities (within 5 years) | No government ministry recommendation required |
4. Full D-10-1 Point Score Table
📋 Source: 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.132–135
Basic Items (기본항목) — Maximum 50 points, minimum 20 required
① Age (연령) Max 20 pts
20–24 years old
10 pts
25–29 years old
15 pts
30–34 years old
20 pts
35–39 years old
15 pts
40–49 years old
5 pts
② Education (최종학력) Max 30 pts
Korean associate degree (국내 전문학사)
15 pts
Bachelor’s degree
15 pts
Master’s degree
20 pts
PhD
30 pts
Optional Items (선택항목) — Choose items that apply, maximum 70 points
① Work Experience (취업경력, last 10 years) Max 15 pts
Korea domestic: 1–2 yrs / Overseas: 3–4 yrs
5 pts
Korea domestic: 3–4 yrs / Overseas: 5–6 yrs
10 pts
Korea domestic: 5+ yrs / Overseas: 7+ yrs
15 pts
Experience must be in a field relevant to your target job. Internship experience does NOT count.
—
② Korean Study in Korea (국내유학, 2+ years) Max 30 pts
Korean associate/bachelor/master/PhD degree — graduated within 3 years
30 pts
Korean associate degree — graduated 3+ years ago
5 pts
Korean bachelor’s degree — graduated 3+ years ago
10 pts
Korean master’s degree — graduated 3+ years ago
15 pts
Korean PhD — graduated 3+ years ago
20 pts
③ Korean Language (한국어능력) Max 20 pts
TOPIK 5–6 or KIIP Level 5 / 종합평가 pass
20 pts
TOPIK 4 or KIIP Level 4 / 중간평가 pass
15 pts
TOPIK 3 or KIIP Level 3 / pre-assessment 61+
10 pts
TOPIK 2 or KIIP Level 2 / pre-assessment 41+
5 pts
Bonus Points (가점) Max 70 pts total
Government/Embassy recommendation (관계 중앙행정기관장 또는 재외공관장)
+20 pts
Fortune 500 company experience — 1+ year within last 10 years
+20 pts
Top global university graduate — THE top 200 or QS top 500 (within 3 years)
+20 pts
STEM bachelor’s degree holder (이공계 학사 이상)
+5 pts
High-income professional — previous annual salary USD 50,000+
+5 pts
Deductions (감점) — Immigration law violations
Immigration violation fine KRW 3M+
-30 pts
Immigration violation fine KRW 1M–3M
-10 pts
Immigration violation fine KRW 500K–1M
-5 pts
⚠️ Fine of KRW 3M+ within last 3 years = automatic disqualification, regardless of total score
—
5. Required Documents by Type
📋 Source: 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.128–129
D-10-1: Point system applicants
- Application form + passport copy + photo + fee + ID copy
- Job search plan (구직활동 계획서) — brief description of target roles and approach
- Degree certificate (학위증 or 졸업증명서)
- Employment certificates for claimed experience
- Korean language proof (TOPIK score, KIIP completion certificate — if applicable)
- Financial proof (체재비 입증서류) — see Section 7 below
- University ranking proof (if claiming bonus points for global top university)
- Government/embassy recommendation letter (if applicable)
D-10-1: Korean university graduates (point system exempt)
- Application form + passport copy + photo + fee + ID copy
- Job search plan (구직활동 계획서)
- Korean university degree certificate or graduation certificate
- Financial proof waived for this category
D-10-1: Korean university graduates with TOPIK 4+ (point system exempt)
- Same as above PLUS valid TOPIK Level 4+ score certificate or KIIP equivalent
- Financial proof waived for this category
- Valid up to 3 years after graduation date
6. Internship on D-10: What’s Allowed
This is one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of the D-10 visa. The official rule is clear:
✅ Official rule (p.123): Internships ARE permitted on D-10-1
D-10-1 covers “job hunting activities at domestic companies and organizations, including short-term paid internships conducted before formal employment (연수비를 받고 행하는 단기 인턴과정).” Paid internships are explicitly included in the D-10-1 scope.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Are paid internships permitted? | ✅ Yes — explicitly included in D-10-1 activity scope |
| Is the internship connected to an E-7 target? | Recommended — internships should be in a field relevant to your intended E-7 occupation |
| Does the company need Korean national employees (5+ rule)? | Yes — the standard E-7 employer requirement of 5+ Korean national employees applies for E-7 sponsorship. Check before starting the internship if E-7 is the goal. |
| How do you report the internship to immigration? | Submit an internship activity report (인턴십 신고) to your local immigration office within 14 days of starting. Fax reporting is possible for some offices — confirm with your local office directly. |
| Can D-10-1 intern → E-7 in the same company? | ✅ Yes — this is the standard path. Complete internship → employer applies for E-7 sponsorship → status change in-country. |
| Minimum internship duration before E-7? | No official minimum in the law. In practice, most companies prefer 3–6 months to evaluate before committing to E-7 sponsorship. 3 months is usually sufficient if both parties are satisfied. |
| Is D-10-2 (Tech Startup) also allowed for internships? | ❌ No — internship activities are explicitly limited for D-10-2. Only D-10-1 and D-10-3 allow internship work. |
7. Financial Proof (체재비): When Required and When Waived
The financial proof requirement (체재비 입증서류) is one of the most stressful parts of D-10 applications for many candidates. Here’s the official rule:
📋 Official formula (p.128)
The required amount = “annual 1-person household housing benefit standard (연도별 1인 가구 주거급여 기준액) × number of months of stay applied for.” This must be shown in a bank balance certificate (잔고증명서) or equivalent. As of 2026, this works out to approximately KRW 600,000–700,000 per month of stay.
| Category | Financial proof required? |
|---|---|
| D-10-1 point system applicant (general) | ✅ Required — bank statement showing the calculated amount |
| Korean university graduate (최초 변경) | ❌ Waived |
| Korean university graduate with TOPIK 4+ | ❌ Waived |
| Promising Talent (유망인재, under 29) | ❌ Waived |
| Top Talent D-10-T | ❌ Waived |
| Embassy intern (주한 공관 근무 인턴) | ❌ Waived |
| D-10-1 renewal (연장) | ✅ Required unless one of the above exemptions applies |
📌 Can an employer or company sponsor instead of showing personal funds?
The official document requires the funds to be in your own bank account or in a form that covers your personal living expenses. Some immigration offices have accepted internship wage evidence or employer accommodation provision as partial substitutes — but this is not guaranteed and varies by office. If you have an active paid internship, bring your internship contract to immigration and ask directly whether it reduces or replaces the bank statement requirement.
8. How Long Can You Stay: 1 Year vs 6 Months
📋 Source: 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.123
The standard D-10 period is 1 year per issuance. However, certain categories only receive 6 months at a time:
| Category | Stay period per issuance |
|---|---|
| Standard D-10-1 (60+ points) | 1 year |
| Korean university graduate (first change) | 1 year |
| D-10-T (Top Talent) | 1 year |
| D-10-1: Score 60–79 points | 6 months only |
| D-10-1: Care worker training completers (요양보호사) | 6 months only |
| D-10-1: E-1~E-7 work experience holders changing to D-10 | 6 months only |
| D-10-1: Embassy intern workers | 6 months only |
9. Extending Your D-10 Visa
Key rules for D-10 extension:
- Apply before your current D-10 expires — do not let it lapse, even by one day
- Extensions now issued for 1 year (rule updated in 2025) — previously issued in 6-month increments
- Point system applies at renewal — even if you were exempt for the first application (e.g., Korean university graduate), the point system applies at renewal
- Financial proof required at renewal unless you still meet one of the waiver conditions
- Active job searching required — immigration may ask for evidence of ongoing job search activity (applications submitted, interview records, company contacts)
- TOPIK score validity: TOPIK scores expire after 2 years — if your score expires before renewal, you’ll need to retake the exam for it to count toward renewal points
📌 TOPIK 4 exemption at renewal: time limit matters
If you qualified for exemption via TOPIK 4 (Korean university graduate, TOPIK 4+), this exemption is only valid for 3 years after your graduation date. After 3 years, the normal point system applies — plan ahead so you have enough points to qualify without the exemption.
10. D-10 → E-7: How the Transition Works
The end goal of most D-10 holders is an E-7 work visa. Here’s the standard pathway:
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Find an E-7-eligible role | The job must qualify under one of E-7’s 91 designated occupation codes. Confirm this with the employer before signing. |
| Employer confirms they can sponsor | Ask HR directly: “Can you sponsor an E-7 for this role?” Key requirements: 5+ Korean national employees, no tax delinquency, role meets E-7 criteria. |
| Employer submits E-7 application in-country | While you’re still on valid D-10 status, your employer submits the 체류자격변경 (status change) application at the local immigration office. You do not need to leave Korea. |
| Continue D-10 status during processing | You can remain in Korea on D-10 while the E-7 is being processed. Continue reporting your internship/work status as required. |
| Receive E-7 ARC | Once approved, visit the immigration office to receive your updated ARC showing E-7 status. Only begin full-time work after this is confirmed. |
11. FAQ: Questions From the Community
Extension Do I need a bank statement if I have TOPIK 4 for D-10 extension?
If you are still within 3 years of your Korean university graduation date AND hold TOPIK 4+, you are exempt from financial proof (체재비 입증서류) at renewal. After 3 years, the exemption ends and the point system applies — including financial proof.
Extension Can I extend D-10 after nearly a year without finding a job?
Yes — as long as you meet the renewal requirements (points, financial proof, no violations). However, immigration may ask for evidence that you’re actively job searching: job application records, interview correspondence, or a letter from a recruitment agency. One year without any job activity is a risk factor. Having an active internship significantly strengthens your renewal case.
Internship Can I report an internship to immigration by fax? Do I have to visit in person?
Fax reporting of internship activity (인턴십 신고) is possible at some immigration offices. However, this varies by office — some require in-person submission. Call your local immigration office to confirm before deciding. The report must be submitted within 14 days of the internship start date.
Internship My new company has only 3 Korean employees. Can I still intern there and get E-7?
The 5+ Korean national employee requirement is an E-7 employer requirement — not a D-10 internship requirement. You can start a D-10 internship at the company. However, if the company cannot meet the 5-employee threshold by the time you apply for E-7 status change, they won’t be eligible to sponsor your E-7. Confirm growth plans with the company before committing.
Internship I wrote “marketing” in my job search plan but found a tourism role. Is that a problem?
The job search plan is a general statement of intent, not a binding contract. Changing your target field during the D-10 period is not prohibited. What matters for E-7 is that your final job matches the E-7 occupation code and that your qualifications are relevant to that role — not what you wrote in the D-10 plan.
Transition Can I switch from D-10 to E-7 if I don’t have TOPIK?
For E-7-1 (specialist), TOPIK is not legally required. The E-7 eligibility is based on your qualifications (degree + experience), not Korean language. TOPIK only becomes legally required for E-7-4 (K-Point skilled labor). That said, many Korean companies value Korean language ability for professional roles even when it’s not legally required.
Financial My D-10 extension was delayed more than 15 days — is that normal?
Officially, D-10 extension processing takes approximately 10 business days. However, 15–20 day delays are common when immigration offices are busy. If you applied before your visa expiry, you are legally protected and your stay is considered valid during processing — this is called 체류기간 연장 중. Keep your application receipt (체류허가 신청확인서) with you.
✅ D-10 at a glance
- D-10-1: 60+ points (basic 20+ pts minimum) — OR exempt if Korean university graduate or TOPIK 4+
- Paid internships are permitted and should be reported within 14 days
- Financial proof waived for Korean university graduates and TOPIK 4+ holders (within 3 years)
- Standard stay: 1 year. Score 60–79 pts: 6 months only
- Extensions now issued for 1 year — but point system applies even if initially exempt
- D-10 → E-7 in-country: standard path — employer submits while you’re still on valid D-10
Related: D-2 to E-7: International Student Guide →
Related: Applying for E-7 from Outside Korea →
Disclaimer: All rules and point scores in this guide are based on the official 사증민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (March 2026, p.123–136). D-10 requirements, exemption conditions, and point tables are subject to update. Always verify current requirements at hikorea.go.kr or the 1345 immigration helpline before applying.