📋 Fact-checked: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (March 2026, p.143–154, 156–159, 170) — Ministry of Justice, Korea
Graduating from a Korean university or finishing a language program and not quite ready for a work visa? The D-10 (Job Seeker Visa) is the bridge. But the transition from D-2 or D-4 to D-10 confuses a lot of people — the timing, the documents, whether you can apply before you graduate, and whether you need a bank balance certificate. This guide answers all of it based on the March 2026 official manual.
📑 In this guide
- D-2 vs D-4 — The Key Differences for D-10 Transition
- D-2 → D-10: Can You Apply Before Graduation?
- D-4 → D-10: The Requirements and Timing
- Required Documents by Visa Type
- Bank Balance Certificate: Do You Need One?
- The D-10-1 Point System (60 Points Minimum)
- How Long Will Your D-10 Last?
- Does TOPIK Affect Your D-10?
- Internship Reporting While on D-10
- Urgent: What to Do If Your Visa Expires Soon
- Common Questions
⚡ The three most important answers — before you read further
1. D-2 graduates: Yes, you can apply for D-10 before graduation using your 졸업예정증명서 (expected graduation certificate).
2. Bank balance certificate: Not required if you graduated from a Korean university.
3. D-4 documents: Cannot be directly reused for D-10 — you need to prepare fresh documents, though some underlying credentials (degree, passport) remain the same.
1. D-2 vs D-4 — The Key Differences for D-10 Transition
D-2 (University Student) → D-10
- Can apply before graduation (using 졸업예정증명서)
- Bank balance certificate: NOT required
- 국내유학 points: up to 30 bonus points on D-10 score
- Score exemption possible for some graduates — no minimum score required
- Direct D-2 → E-7 switch also possible if job offer exists
D-4 (Language Training) → D-10
- Must complete language program first (no pre-graduation exemption)
- Bank balance certificate: Usually required
- D-4-1 (어학연수) gives up to 3 bonus points (12+ months)
- Must meet standard D-10 point system (60 points minimum)
- Harder path — fewer exemptions and bonuses than D-2
2. D-2 → D-10: Can You Apply Before Graduation?
📋 Source: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.170
Yes — you can apply before graduation. The official manual specifies that D-2 visa holders qualify for D-10 status change if they are “졸업예정자” (expected to graduate). This is a key exception that many international students don’t know about.
| Situation | D-10 eligibility |
|---|---|
| D-2 student approaching graduation (졸업예정자) | ✅ Can apply now using 졸업예정증명서 |
| D-2 student who already graduated | ✅ Can apply using 졸업증명서 (within 3 years of graduation) |
| D-2 student who has bachelor’s degree from home country + meets experience requirements | ✅ Can switch to D-10 even while still enrolled in Korean university |
| D-2 student with no degree yet and no prior qualification | ❌ Must graduate first (or be recognized as 졸업예정자) |
✅ 졸업예정증명서 (Expected Graduation Certificate)
Request this document from your university’s academic affairs office (교학처 or 학사지원팀). It confirms your expected graduation date. Most universities issue it in the final semester. This document replaces the actual degree certificate when applying for D-10 before graduation — but you’ll need to submit the actual 졸업증명서 within a set period after graduation.
3. D-4 → D-10: The Requirements and Timing
D-4 holders (language training / 어학연수 / 일반연수) have a different and more restrictive path. There is no “pre-completion” exception — you must finish your language or training program before switching.
| D-4 type | When to apply | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| D-4-1 (Korean language school / 어학원) | After completing the program | 12+ months of D-4-1 gives +3 bonus points on D-10 score system |
| D-4-2 (Government/public institution training) | After completing the program | 12–18 months = +3 pts, 19+ months = +5 pts on D-10 score |
| D-4-6 (Private institution training) | After completing the program | 12–18 months = +3 pts, 19+ months = +5 pts on D-10 score |
📌 D-4 → D-10: You still need to meet the point system
Unlike D-2 Korean graduates who may be exempt from the point system, D-4 holders must meet the standard D-10-1 scoring requirements (60 points minimum, with at least 20 points from the basic items). Plan ahead — check your score before your D-4 expires.
4. Required Documents by Visa Type
📋 Source: 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼, March 2026, p.148–150
Common documents (all applicants)
- 통합신청서 (Integrated application form, 별지 34호) — download from HiKorea
- Passport + copy
- ARC (외국인등록증)
- Photo (표준규격, 3.5×4.5cm)
- Fee (application fee)
- Address proof (체류지 입증서류)
- D-10-1 Score table (점수표) — self-assessment form
D-2 → D-10 additional documents
| Document | If graduating soon | If already graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Degree certificate | 졸업예정증명서 (expected graduation certificate) | 졸업증명서 (graduation certificate) |
| Transcript (성적증명서) | Current transcript | Final transcript |
| Bank balance certificate | NOT required for Korean university graduates ✅ | NOT required ✅ |
| Korean language proof | TOPIK score certificate if applicable (adds points) | TOPIK score certificate if applicable |
| Work experience proof | Employment certificate / career certificate if claiming work experience points | Same |
D-4 → D-10 additional documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Program completion certificate (이수증 / 수료증) | From your language school or training institution |
| Training period confirmation | Shows total months of D-4 — used for bonus points calculation |
| Bank balance certificate (은행잔고증명서) | Usually required. Amount = 연도별 1인 가구 주거급여 기준액 × (months of requested stay). Check current 기준액 at the Ministry of Land website. |
| Degree certificate from home country | Apostilled — if claiming education points from overseas degree |
| Korean language proof | TOPIK score certificate if applicable |
❌ D-4 documents cannot be reused for D-10
A common question: “Can I use the documents I submitted when getting my D-4?” No — each visa application requires fresh documents issued recently. The same underlying credentials (passport, degree) are the same, but the actual certificates and confirmation letters must be newly issued for your D-10 application. Your D-4 letter of enrollment won’t substitute for a D-10 completion certificate.
5. Bank Balance Certificate: Do You Need One?
| Your situation | Bank balance required? |
|---|---|
| Graduated from a Korean university (D-2) | ✅ NOT required — Korean graduate exemption |
| D-4 language school graduate | Usually YES required |
| Overseas degree holder applying from Korea | Usually YES required |
| E-1~E-7 work visa holder switching to D-10 | NOT required — prior professional experience exemption |
When required, the amount is calculated as: 연도별 1인 가구 주거급여 기준액 × (number of months requested). The 주거급여 기준액 changes annually — check the current figure at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (국토교통부) website. For 2026, it is approximately KRW 330,000–350,000/month depending on the region, so for a 6-month D-10 you’d need approximately KRW 2,000,000+ in your account.
6. The D-10-1 Point System (60 Points Minimum)
📋 Source: March 2026 manual, p.151, 161 | Total 190 points, need 60+ with 20+ from basic items
Basic items (기본항목) — up to 50 points, need minimum 20
① Age Max 20 pts
20–24 years old
10 pts
25–29 years old
15 pts
30–34 years old (peak)
20 pts
35–39 years old
15 pts
40–49 years old
5 pts
② Education Max 30 pts
Korean associate degree (국내 전문학사)
15 pts
Bachelor’s degree (학사)
15 pts
Master’s degree (석사) — Korean or overseas
20 pts
PhD (박사)
30 pts
Selective items (선택항목) — up to 70 points
③ Korean university study (국내유학) Max 30 pts — source: p.152
Within 3 years of graduation — ANY Korean degree (전문학사 / 학사 / 석사 / 박사) — all equal
30 pts
After 3 years — Korean associate degree (전문학사)
5 pts
After 3 years — Korean bachelor’s degree (학사)
10 pts
After 3 years — Korean master’s degree (석사)
15 pts
After 3 years — Korean PhD (박사)
20 pts
④ Language school / training (국내연수) D-4 points
D-4-1 (어학연수), D-4-2, D-4-6: 12–18 months
3 pts
D-4-2, D-4-6: 19 months or more
5 pts
⑤ Korean language (한국어능력) Max 20 pts
TOPIK 5–6 or KIIP Stage 5
20 pts
TOPIK 4 or KIIP Stage 4
15 pts
TOPIK 3 or KIIP Stage 3
10 pts
TOPIK 2 or KIIP Stage 2
5 pts
Bonus points (가점) — up to 70 points
Key bonus items Max 70 pts total
Ministry recommendation or overseas mission recommendation
20 pts
THE Top 200 / QS Top 500 overseas university graduate
20 pts
Fortune 500 company experience
20 pts
STEM bachelor’s degree holder (including Korean associate degree)
5 pts
High-income professional experience (USD 50,000+)
5 pts
💡 Korean graduate typical score example
Age 27 (15 pts) + Bachelor’s basic education (15 pts) + Korean bachelor’s within 3 years (30 pts) + TOPIK 3 (10 pts) = 70 pts ✅ — well over the 60-point minimum.
Same person without TOPIK: 15 + 15 + 30 = 60 pts — exactly at the minimum. Even one deduction point would fail. TOPIK 2 (+5 pts) provides important buffer.
Same person after 3 years from graduation: Age 27 (15 pts) + Bachelor’s (15 pts) + Korean bachelor’s after 3 years (10 pts) + TOPIK 3 (10 pts) = 50 pts ❌ — needs 10 more. Add STEM bonus (+5 pts) = 55 pts, still short. TOPIK 4 (+15 pts instead of 10) = 60 pts ✅ exactly.
Same person without TOPIK: 15 + 15 + 30 = 60 pts — exactly at the minimum. Even one deduction point would fail. TOPIK 2 (+5 pts) provides important buffer.
Same person after 3 years from graduation: Age 27 (15 pts) + Bachelor’s (15 pts) + Korean bachelor’s after 3 years (10 pts) + TOPIK 3 (10 pts) = 50 pts ❌ — needs 10 more. Add STEM bonus (+5 pts) = 55 pts, still short. TOPIK 4 (+15 pts instead of 10) = 60 pts ✅ exactly.
✅ Score exemption: Who skips the point system entirely?
- Korean university graduates within 3 years with strong Korean — exempt from the 60-point requirement
- Under 29 with top-200 university degree (THE/QS)
- National-raised foreigners (국내 성장 기반 외국인 청소년)
- Former E-1~E-7 work visa holders switching to D-10 after job loss
7. How Long Will Your D-10 Last?
📋 Source: March 2026 manual, p.156–157
| Your profile | D-10 duration | Single grant |
|---|---|---|
| Korean graduate within 3 years + strong Korean | Up to 3 years total | 1 year per grant |
| THE 200 / QS 500 overseas university graduate (within 3 years) | Up to 3 years total | 1 year per grant |
| Score 80 points or above | Up to 3 years total | 1 year per grant |
| Score 60–79 points (standard) | Up to 1 year total | 6 months per grant |
| E-1~E-7 former visa holder | Up to 1 year total | 6 months per grant |
8. Does TOPIK Affect Your D-10?
TOPIK is not required to get D-10 — but it significantly affects both your score and your stay duration:
- TOPIK 2: +5 points (helps reach 60-point threshold)
- TOPIK 3: +10 points
- TOPIK 4: +15 points (also qualifies as “strong Korean” for score exemption)
- TOPIK 5–6: +20 points (maximum language score)
If you’re borderline on the 60-point minimum, your TOPIK score can be the deciding factor. If you’re D-4 without TOPIK, calculate your score carefully before applying.
9. Internship Reporting While on D-10
📋 Source: March 2026 manual, p.158–159
D-10-1 holders can do paid internships (인턴활동) in E-1 through E-7 fields. This must be formally reported to immigration.
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Who can intern | D-10-1 holders only (not D-10-2 tech startup prep holders) |
| Reporting deadline | Within 15 days of starting the internship |
| Where to report | Your local immigration office (출입국·외국인관서) — in person |
| Fax reporting | ❌ Not accepted from June 1, 2026 — in-person or HiKorea online only |
| Maximum internship duration | Up to 1 year at the same company. Total limited to D-10 stay period. |
| Documents for intern reporting | 외국인등록사항변경신고서 + 인턴 계약서 + 사업자등록증 + 고용보험가입자 명부 |
| If you change internship company | Report within 15 days of changing. New documents for new employer required. |
📌 Former E-1~E-7 holders: internship NOT allowed
If you switched to D-10 because your previous E-7 or similar work visa ended, you are not permitted to do internships on D-10. This restriction applies specifically to former professional visa holders converting to D-10.
10. Urgent: What to Do If Your Visa Expires Soon
A common situation: graduating August 7, D-4 or D-2 expires August 20. Only 13 days. This is tight but manageable if you act immediately.
8+ weeks before expiry: Book HiKorea appointment now. Prepare all documents. Apply D-10 change in person.
✅ Comfortable
2–4 weeks before expiry: HiKorea appointment slots may be limited. Try early morning for cancellation slots. Book immediately.
⚠️ Tight
Under 2 weeks before expiry: Call 1345 immediately. Explain the situation. Walk-in appointments are possible but may require long waits (2–4 hours). Do NOT let your visa expire — overstay results in fines and future visa restrictions.
🔴 Urgent
Visa already expired: You are overstaying. Go to the nearest immigration office immediately. Overstay fines apply and it will affect future visa applications. Do not delay further.
🚨 Emergency
💡 The D-2 pre-graduation exception saves you here
If you’re graduating in August and your D-2 expires in August, apply for D-10 in July using your 졸업예정증명서. This gives you more time to prepare and book an appointment. You don’t need to wait until you physically graduate.
11. Common Questions
Q: I’m D-4 and graduating in August. My visa expires August 20. What’s the exact document I need?
You need your program completion certificate (수료증 or 이수증) from your language school — not a graduation certificate, since D-4 programs don’t issue degrees. Get this immediately when you finish. Also prepare your bank balance certificate and D-10 score table. Book your HiKorea appointment now, not in August.
Q: I’m D-4. Can I reuse the apostilled documents I submitted when getting my D-4 visa?
Apostilled documents themselves don’t expire — but immigration typically wants documents issued within a certain period (usually 3–6 months). Your degree certificate is still valid. However, bank statements, enrollment/completion certificates, and transcripts must be freshly issued. Don’t assume old documents will be accepted — ask your immigration office when booking your appointment.
Q: I have D-4 and TOPIK 3. Can I get D-10 without a bank balance?
TOPIK 3 gives you 10 points on the D-10 score system, which helps you reach 60 points. However, the bank balance exemption for D-10 only applies to Korean university (D-2) graduates — not D-4 holders. You will likely still need the bank balance certificate regardless of your TOPIK level.
Q: Can I apply for D-10 directly without first switching from D-2 or D-4?
If you enter Korea on a visa-free status (90 days) and already meet the 60-point D-10 threshold, you can apply for D-10 directly from your current status — you don’t need to have been on D-2 or D-4 first. However, if you don’t have Korean study history, you’ll be missing the 국내유학 bonus points, making it harder to reach 60 points.
✅ Transition checklist
- ☐ Check your D-10-1 score with the point table above — confirm you have 60+ points with 20+ from basic items
- ☐ Request 졸업예정증명서 or 졸업증명서 from your university (D-2)
- ☐ Request 수료증 / 이수증 from your language school (D-4)
- ☐ Prepare 은행잔고증명서 if you’re D-4 or overseas degree only
- ☐ Get your TOPIK score certificate if applicable
- ☐ Fill out 통합신청서 (별지 34호) from HiKorea
- ☐ Fill out D-10-1 점수표 (score assessment form) from HiKorea
- ☐ Book appointment at local immigration office — as early as possible
- ☐ Confirm: are you exempt from the score system? (Korean graduate + strong Korean)
Related: D-10 Complete Guide: All Subcategories, Points, and Internship Rules →
Related: TOPIK vs KIIP: Which Boosts Your D-10 Score More? →
Related: After D-10: The E-7 Work Visa Complete Guide →
Disclaimer: All requirements, document lists, and scoring tables are based on the 체류민원 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 (March 2026, p.143–154, 156–159, 170). Requirements may change — verify current documents and procedures with your local immigration office or by calling 1345 before your appointment. Bank balance amounts change annually. This guide does not constitute legal or immigration advice.