Entry Requirements

Korean embassies and consulates reserve the right to request further documentation and/or refuse any application. You can find more information on the website of your nearest Korean embassy or consulate.
List of Korean diplomatic missions : http://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/wpge/m_5756/contents

To be eligible for Korea’s working holiday visa, you must:

•           be aged between 18 and 30 (inclusive) at the time of application *** Exceptions are listed in the next section. 
•           not be accompanied, under this visa, by any dependents at any point in time during your stay in Korea
•           be in your country when you apply for this visa and when your visa is granted
•           hold a valid passport issued by one of our partner countries or regions that is valid for at least a year
•           come to Korea for the primary purpose of having a holiday
    (Those desiring to work or study for a longer period of time
    should consider different types of visa instead of the working holiday visa.)
•           not have previously taken part in Korea’s working holiday program
•           be able to prove your financial ability to pay for the initial stages of your holiday in Korea
    (minimum of KRW 3,000,000)
•           have a valid return flight ticket or evidence of financial ability to afford a return flight
•           have appropriate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Korea
•           submit travel plans, and
•           must pay the visa application fee when you submit your application form (fees may vary by nationality).

Additional conditions

•           You must not have a substantial criminal record.
•           Your health condition must be fit for travel and work in Korea.

The following documents must be provided.

•           Visa application form
•           Valid passport and one passport photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
•           Return flight ticket or evidence of financial ability to afford one
•           Supporting financial documentation (e.g. a certified copy of bank statement)
•           Health insurance that will remain valid throughout your stay in Korea (minimum coverage: KRW 40,000,000)
•           Travel plans
•           Application fee
•           Criminal record check
•           Medical certificate
•           Proof of student status or the highest academic qualification

* Please note that the above documents are basic requirements and additional documents may be required by your Korean embassy/consulate or Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC). For visa application, reservation may be necessary before visiting the venue. Please check with the nearest Korean embassy or consulate in your country or region and obtain up-to-date official information about visa availability (quota) and your eligibility before planning for application. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly a single entry visa may be issued.
List of diplomatic missions : http://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/wpge/m_5756/contents

Application Process

All working holiday visa applications must be made in your home country. You must be in the country of your nationality when you apply for this visa and when your visa is granted. Working holiday visas are not granted for those in Korea.
*** Exceptions (application & quota, age, work eligibility etc.):
*For Austrians : If you are Austrian, you can also submit your application via Korean diplomatic missions in Tokyo, Japan; Beijing and Shanghai, China; Hong Kong; and Taiwan.
*For Germans, French, the UK, the Netherlands nationals : If you are a German national, please contact the KVAC in Berlin (kvacdeinfo@iom.int, www.visaforkorea.eu) or your nearest Korean consulate in Germany for further application details. If you are a French national, please contact the KVAC in Paris (kvacfrinfo@iom.int, www.visaforkorea.eu) for further application details. If you are from the U.K., please contact the KVAC in London (kvacukinfo@iom.int, www.visaforkorea.eu) for further application details. If you are from the Netherlands, please contact the KVAC in Hague (kvacnlinfo@iom.int, www.visaforkorea.eu) for further application details.

*For Argentinians : Consulte el enlace sobre el límite de edad para argentinos (from Feb. 2023) : 
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ar-es/brd/m_6300/view.do?seq=754261&page=1
*For French : Consultez le lien de notification ici pour connaître le changement de politique en matière de limite d'âge de l'ambassade de France. (jusqu’au 15 mars 2024.) : 
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/fr-fr/wpge/m_9491/contents.do
*For Irish : Check the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland for quota/age eligibility updates (from Mar. 2023) : 
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ie-en/wpge/m_8216/contents.do
*For Portuguese : Consulte a Embaixada da República da Coreia em Portugal para atualização de elegibilidade etária (from Sep. 2023) : https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/pt-pt/brd/m_23747/view.do?seq=12&page=1
*For Canadian : Check Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada for quota/age/work eligibility updates (from 2024) :
https://www.mofa.go.kr/ca-en/brd/m_5231/view.do?seq=761716&page=1
 

Completed visa application form together with the necessary supporting documents can be submitted to the Korean embassy or consulate nearest to you in person or by post. (Post service may not be available depending on the region. Please check with your Korean diplomatic mission.)  

Applications are accepted year-round and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.