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General Permit Information
Korea has bilateral Working Holiday Visa programs with twenty-five countries/regions worldwide. (Oct, 2018)
These agreements are created under the mutual cooperation and establishment of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Republic of Korea and respective countries involved.
The main purpose of this visa is primarily to have a holiday for an extended period of time and engage in short-term employment as an incidental aspect of your stay. This is a one-time only visa that allows you to immerse yourself in Korea.
Working Holiday Permit Holders may register for Korean language courses at private educational institutions (Hakwon, Korean language institutes) during certain period of time. [Cannot take a regular degree course at University which requires study visa]. Allowed language study period may vary depending on the MOU of respective country.
You may work up to 25 hours per week. Allowed employment period may vary depending on MOU of respective country. For details of working holiday visa, limit of employment period/ Study period by nationality, please refer to this link. [Regulated by Ministry of Justice]
http://whic.mofa.go.kr/upload/temp/kr_workingholiday_english.pdf (Check Visa Validity)
You may leave and re-enter Korea as many times as you wish during your 12 month (maximum) stay, conditions may apply.
* Due to COVID-19, non-urgent visas (including working holiday visa) might not be available to apply for. Please directly contact your jurisdictional Korean embassy/consulate for the inquiry regarding visa application and process.
List of Embassy : http://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/wpge/m_5756/contents.
List of Participating Countries/Region Annual Quota
|
Country |
Quota |
|---|---|
|
Argentina |
200 |
|
Australia |
Unlimited |
|
Austria |
300 |
|
Belgium |
200 |
|
Canada |
4000 |
|
Chile |
100 |
|
Czech Republic |
300 |
|
Denmark |
Unlimited |
|
France |
2000 |
|
Germany |
Unlimited |
|
Hong Kong |
1000 |
|
Hungary |
100 |
|
Ireland |
600 |
|
Country |
Quota |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Israel |
200 |
|
Italy |
500 |
|
Japan |
10000 |
|
Netherlands |
100 |
|
New Zealand |
3000 |
|
Poland |
200 |
|
Portugal |
200 |
|
Spain |
1000 |
|
Sweden |
Unlimited |
|
Taiwan |
800 |
|
U.K. |
1000 |
|
U.S.A. |
2000 |
* Hong Kong is China's Special Adminstrative Region.
Entry Requirements
Korean Embassies and Consulates reserve the right to request further documentation and/or refuse any application.
You will find more information on the website of the relevant embassy/consulate.
To be eligible for a Korean Working Holiday Visa, the applicant must:
- Be aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) of age at the time of application
- Not be accompanied by any dependents at any point in time during your stay in Korea
- Be inside of your country when you apply and when your visa is granted
- Hold a valid passport issued by the participating country or region that is valid for at least a year
- Be going to Korea for the purpose of holiday (Those desiring to work or study for a longer period should consider different type of visa instead of the Working Holiday Visa)
- Not previously taken part in Korean Working Holiday Program
- Be able to produce financial proof of having sufficient amounts to support himself/herself for the initial stage of his /her holiday in Korea (KRW 3,000,000 minimum)
- Hold a return ticket or financial proof equivalent of a return air fare
- Have adequate health insurance for the duration of his/her stay in Korea
- Submit travel plans
- Must submit fees for visa along with your application form (may vary depending on nationality)
Additional conditions
- Not have a substantial criminal record
- Meet the health criteria to travel and work in Korea
The following documents must be provided:
- Visa Application Form
- Valid Passport and One passport Photo (3.5x4.5cm)
- Return ticket or enough money to buy one
- Supporting financial documentation (ex- certified copy of a bank statement)
- Health insurance which remains valid throughout your stay in Korea(Coverage: KRW 40,000,000 minimum)
- Travel Plans
- Application Fees
- Criminal Record Check
- Medical Certificate
- Proof of student status or highest academic qualifications
* Please note that above requirements and additional documents may vary among respective Embassies/Consulates or KVAC. Reservation before visiting the Korean Embassy/Consulate may be necessary for the application. Therefore, you must contact and obtain up-to-date official information from appropriate Korean Embassies/Consulates in your region/country and check visa availability(quota), your eligibility before planning for visa application.
List of Embassy : http://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/wpge/m_5756/contents.
Application Process
A Working Holiday Visa cannot be granted in Korea.
All Korea Working Holiday Visa applications must be made in your home country.
Individuals must be inside the country of your nationality when you apply and when your visa is granted.
* Exception: if you are Austrian, you can also submit your application in Japan (Tokyo), China (Beijing, Shanghai),
Hong Kong and Taiwan. * If you are a German national, please contact KVAC in Berlin ( kvacdeinfo@iom.int / website : www.visaforkorea.eu) or your jurisdictional Korean Consulate in Germany for further application details. If you are a French national, please contact KVAC in Paris ( kvacfrinfo@iom.int / website : www.visaforkorea.eu) for further application details as well.
Completed Visa Application form together with the necessary supporting documents can be lodged at Korean Embassies /Consulates directly or by post. (Post service may not be available. Please check with nearest embassies/consulates).
Applications are accepted year-round and will be approved on a first-come first-served basis.
