Working Holiday

From the MOJ manual · as of 2026-07-31Who qualifies & how

Eligibility. Working holiday: nationals of countries with a working-holiday agreement or MOU with Korea, whose main purpose is tourism with incidental work to fund travel; age 18-30 at application (Taiwan, Portugal, Ireland, Argentina to 34; UK and Canada to 35; US without age limit). Country quotas apply (some unlimited); persons intending mainly to work, study full-time, report, or engage in political activity are refused.

Work rights. Short-term incidental employment allowed, excluding: occupations that themselves require E-1~E-7 status (e.g., conversation teaching requires E-2 qualifications), and youth-protection-listed adult entertainment businesses; study is limited to incidental courses.

Duration. Stay per the bilateral agreement: generally 1 year; Canada and UK 2 years (24 months); US 1 year 6 months; Hong Kong visa valid 3 months for a 1-year stay. Visas mostly multiple entry (Japan single).

ChecklistRequired documents

• Visa application form, photo, passport (6+ months validity)
• Round-trip ticket, or proof of equivalent deposited funds
• Bank-balance or similar proof of about 3 months' stay expenses
• Criminal-record certificate and health certificate
• Insurance certificate

Fees: change of status ₩100,000. The full table with legal citations is on /fees.

Application is made at the Korean mission in the agreement country (Austria nationals may file at designated missions in Asia). Quota-country applicants who received a visa but never entered may be barred from reapplying.

Some details for this visa were only partially itemized in the source manual, so treat the lists as indicative.

Who holds itH-1 holders by nationality

TrendMonthly arrivals on the H-1

In 2026-06, 1,140 people entered Korea on an H-1 visa, up 19.0% from a year earlier.