The population of international students in Korea has seen a significant increase over the past decade, rising from approximately 80,000 to 200,000.
To continue fostering this trend and attract global talent, the Ministry of Justice has taken recent steps to enhance the international student visa system. These measures aim to not only entice foreign students to study in Korea but also to make it easier for them to establish themselves in the country.
One notable change, implemented since July 2023, is that international students are now eligible to engage in part-time employment for 10 to 35 hours on weekdays, while also having the option to work full-time during weekends and extended breaks such as summer and winter vacations.
The scope of permissible employment is limited to manual labor roles, with certain exceptions such as interpretation/translation assistance, culinary assistance, general office assistance, tourist guidance assistance, and sales assistance at duty-free shops. However, D-2 visa holders (with the exception of D-2-5) are permitted to undertake internships in professional fields (E1 to E7) during summer and winter vacations, while D-2-7 visa holders have the additional privilege of pursuing the internships during the academic year.
The following table provides general information concerning the language proficiency requirements and the permissable working hours for international students in Korea:
Program | Minimum Korean Language Proficiency* | Permissable Working Hours (Weekdays) | Permissable Working Hours (Weekends/Breaks) |
Language (Korean and Foreign)** | (1) Level 2; (2) Level 2 (or Preliminary Test: 41 points); or, (3) Intermediary Level 1 | - 25 hours per week (if the KLP and an additional requirement*** are met) - 20 hours per week (if the KLP is met) - 10 hours per wekk (if the KLP is not met) | - 20 hours per week (if the KLP is met) - 10 hours per week (if the KLP is not met) |
Junior College | (1) Level 3; (2) Level 3 (or Preliminary Test: 61 points); or (3) Intermediary Level 1 | - 30 hours (if the KLP and an additional requirement*** are met) - 25 hours (if the KLP is met) - 10 hours (if the KLP is not met) | Full time |
Undergraduate (First and Second Years) | (1) Level 4; (2) Level 4 (or Preliminary Test: 81 points); or (3) Intermediary Level 2 | - 30 hours (if the KLP and an additional requirement*** are met) - 25 hours (if the KLP is met) - 10 hours (if the KLP is not met) | Full time |
Undergraduate (Third and Fourth Years) | (1) Level 4; (2) Level 4 (or Preliminary Test: 81 points); or (3) Intermediary Level 2 | - 30 hours (if the KLP and an additional requirement*** are met) - 25 hours (if the KLP is met) - 10 hours (if the KLP is not met) | Full time |
Graduate (Master’s and Doctoral) | (1) Level 4; (2) Level 4 (or Preliminary Test: 81 points); or (3) Intermediary Level 2 | - 35 hours (if the KLP and an additional requirement*** are met) - 30 hours (if the KLP is met) - 15 hours (if the KLP is not met) | Full time |
* Korean Language Proficiency (“KLP”): (1) TOPIK, (2) KIIP, or (3) King Sejong Institute. For international students enrolling in programs conducted in English, those originating from countries where English is a native or official language, as well as those who meet the following minimum English language criteria (TOEFL 530 (CBT 197, iBT 71), IELTS 5.5, CEFR B2, or TEPS 601 (NEW TEPS 327)), are regarded as fulfilling the designated minimum for the KLP.
** International students studying the Korean (D-4-1) or foreign (D-4-7) language must fulfill two additional requirements: (i) a minimum of six months has passed since the date of their status change or entry into the country, and (ii) they have maintained an average attendance rate of at least 90% for all previous semesters.
*** An additional requirement can be fulfilled by meeting one of the followings: (1) being enrolled in an accredited university (refer to: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/study/certified_intro.do#), (2) attaining an A GPA in the previous semester, or (3) passing Level 5 in TOPIK or successfully competing Level 5 in KIPP (or passing the Comprehensive Assessment Test).
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