Guide · as of 2026-08-08
D-10 after graduation: the current rules
A graduate of a Korean university (associate degree or higher) can stay on a D-10 job-seeker visa for a maximum of 3 years total, renewed in 1-year units; both figures were raised in the Ministry of Justice reform effective 2025-10-29 (previously 2 years total in 6-month units). A first-time change from D-2 (student) to D-10 is exempt from the points test and from financial proof under the same reform. The change-of-status fee is ₩100,000; each extension is ₩60,000 (출입국관리법 시행규칙, fee schedule effective 2026-01-23).
Who qualifies
D-10-1 (general job seeking) covers foreigners seeking employment in the professional-visa fields (E-1 through E-7, excluding some subtypes). Routes in:
- Change of status inside Korea from D-2 after graduating with an associate degree or higher from a Korean university, the standard post-graduation path.
- Change from E-7 after a job ends (initial grant 6 months).
- New visa from abroad via the points table at a Korean consulate.
The points test, and who skips it
The default screening is a points table (배점표). Reported pass line: 60 points, with at least 20 points from basic items (education, work experience, Korean ability) (unverified: pass-line figures from Jobploy’s 2026 guide; confirm against the current MOJ 배점표).
Exemptions from the points test:
- First-time D-2 → D-10 change: exempt outright since 2025-10-29 (also exempt from financial proof).
- Korean-university graduates within 3 years of graduation holding TOPIK level 4 or higher, or having passed the KIIP (사회통합프로그램) level 4 midterm evaluation, exempt as “domestic graduates with proven Korean ability.”
Financial proof
Where financial proof applies (i.e., outside the first D-2→D-10 change), the reported standard is ₩900,000 per month of requested stay, e.g. ₩5,400,000 for a 6-month grant (unverified: figure from Jobploy 2026 guide; not confirmed in an official publication). Proof is a bank balance certificate in the applicant’s name.
What D-10 permits
- Job seeking across the E-1–E-7 professional fields.
- Internships: allowed at one company for up to 1 year (raised from 6 months on 2025-10-29); the previous cumulative internship cap across the D-10 period was abolished in the same reform. Internships in simple-labor positions and E-6-2 (entertainment) roles are excluded.
- Part-time work (체류자격외활동) with a permit, on reported terms of 20 weekday hours (30 with TOPIK 5+) (unverified: hour caps against current MOJ guidance).
Employment on D-10 itself is otherwise prohibited; taking a professional job requires a change to the matching E-series status (most commonly E-7).
Timeline mechanics
| Item | Rule | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum total D-10 stay | 3 years | 2025-10-29 (was 2 years) |
| Extension unit | up to 1 year per grant | 2025-10-29 (was 6 months) |
| First grant on D-2 → D-10 change | 6 months–1 year | — |
| Change-of-status fee | ₩100,000 | 시행규칙 §72 |
| Extension fee | ₩60,000 | 시행규칙 §72 |
Applications for extension can be filed from 4 months before the current period expires, via HiKorea e-application or an immigration-office visit with reservation.
Related data
- /visa/d-10: D-10 holders and arrival trends
- /visa/d-2: D-2 student visa data
- /visa/e-7: the usual next status after D-10
- /fees: official permit fees