If you’re an international student about to graduate in Korea, visa issues are likely on your mind.

Whether you're planning to find a job, stay longer to prepare, or live in Korea long term,

you’ll need to switch to a different visa—and the most practical option in this case is the D-10-1 (Job-Seeking) Visa.

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Far more than just an extension of stay, the D-10 visa is a realistic and strategic option for building your career in Korea after graduation.

Below is a complete guide on how to switch from a D-2 Student Visa to a D-10 Job-Seeking Visa,

including eligibility, procedures, required documents, timing tips, and more.

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What are the eligibility requirements for switching to a D-10 visa?

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🔖What Is the D-10-1 Visa?

Full name: Temporary Stay for Job-Seeking Activities

👉Who it's for: Foreigners who have graduated (or are about to graduate) from a Korean university or graduate school,

and want to pursue employment, entrepreneurship, research, or artistic activities

👉Duration: Initially granted for up to 6 months, renewable up to a maximum of 2 years

Advantage: Can be converted later to E-7 (Specialist Work Visa), D-8 (Startup Visa), E-6 (Culture & Entertainment), and others

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🔖 Eligibility Criteria

1) Graduating students or recent graduates

→ You’ll need to submit a certificate of expected graduation or diploma

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2) Attendance rate of 90% or higher

→ Especially important for language programs

→ Immigration officers also review GPA and attendance to determine sincerity. A low GPA or attendance rate may lead to rejection.

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3) Apply before your D-2 visa expires

→ Must apply while your student visa is still valid

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4) Show clear potential for employment in Korea

→ Include portfolio, licenses, or recommendation letters

→ The plan must be specific and realistic (just stating “I graduated” is not enough)

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When Should You Apply?

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1) 1–2 months before graduation

→ You can apply with a certificate of expected graduation to avoid any gap in visa validity

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2) At least 2 weeks before your D-2 visa expires

→ Processing delays are common, so apply early

❗️If you already have a confirmed job offer or contract, you must apply for an E-7 visa, not D-10.

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🔖 The D-10 visa isn’t just for short-term stay. It can lead to:

✅E-7 (Employment) → after securing a job

✅F-2 (Residency) → after maintaining employment and meeting certain conditions

✅F-5 (Permanent Residency) → with long-term residence, tax payment, and Korean language ability

D-10 (Job-Seeking) Visa: Required Documents and Application Procedure

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1. Required Documents?

✔Valid passport and alien registration card

✔Visa change application form

✔Graduation certificate or expected graduation certificate

✔Transcript

✔Activity plan (career plan)

✔Financial proof (from applicant or legal guardian)

✔Proof of residence in Korea

✔Processing fee

❗️The activity plan is one of the most important documents. Be specific and realistic.

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📝Basic structure of a good activity plan:

✔Self-introduction & academic background: Major, degree, and summary of experience studying in Korea

✔Post-graduation plans: Job field and career goals

✔Why you need to stay in Korea & how you'll prepare: Certification exams, scheduled interviews, etc.

❗️For financial proof, the general guideline is at least KRW 1,000,000 in your account for the past 3 months,

but immigration offices may ask for more or restrict support from parents. The type of deposit and date of the deposit can also be reviewed.

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2. Application Procedure

1) Check your eligibility and timing

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2) Prepare documents

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3) Book an appointment

✔Visit HiKorea and reserve a date at your local immigration office

⚠️ Appointment slots may be limited depending on region—apply early

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4) Visit the immigration office and submit your documents

✔Bring all required documents on your appointment date

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5) Wait for review (about 2–4 weeks)

✔If additional documents are needed, you may be contacted by phone or text

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6) Receive the result and updated registration card

✔If approved, you’ll be issued a new Alien Registration Card with D-10-1 status

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Need a Custom Visa or Labor Support Service?

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HanGuk Visa offers personalized services for

: Personal and corporate visa processing, Translation support, Employment and labor-related solutions.

We go beyond just visa processing — we support foreign workers with:

✔Employment contracts

✔Wage condition reviews

✔Unpaid wage responses

✔Practical legal guidance on labor issues

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We provide customized visa solutions tailored to your specific situation.

If you have any questions or need detailed consultation, please feel free to contact us using the information below :)

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📞 Tel: 02-3210-1113

✉ KakaoTalk Channel: 한국비자

📣 Instagram: @hanguk_visa

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