D-10 Job-Seeker Visa Korea: Points System and How to Apply (2026)

The D-10 is Korea’s job-seeker visa — it lets you stay in the country to search for skilled employment without yet holding a work contract. As of 2026, most applicants under the general D-10-1 category need to score at least 60 points out of 190 on a points-based assessment (80 points for nationals of certain designated countries), though recent graduates of Korean universities changing status for the first time are generally exempt from the points system for their initial year.

Quick Answer

• D-10 lets you stay in Korea to look for a job — it is not itself a work visa, though limited part-time activity may be permitted under certain conditions.
• General applicants generally need 60+ points out of 190; nationals of 21 designated countries generally need 80+ points.
• Recent Korean university graduates (associate degree or higher, D-2 status) changing to D-10-1 for the first time are generally exempt from the points system for their first year.
• Score 80+ points and you can generally stay in 1-year increments up to 3 years; score 60–79 and you’re generally limited to 1 year total in 6-month increments.
• Our D-10 points calculator on koreayo.com can give you a quick estimate of where you stand before applying.

Who Is the D-10 Visa For?

D-10 (the job-seeking visa) is generally aimed at people who want to stay in Korea specifically to search for skilled employment — often recent graduates of Korean universities, or foreign professionals who want to job-hunt in Korea before securing an employer-sponsored work visa like E-7. It’s a bridge visa: it buys you time and legal status while you look, rather than being a long-term work authorization itself.

The Points System, Explained

Most D-10-1 applicants are assessed on a 190-point scale covering factors like education level, Korean language ability (including TOPIK level or KIIP completion), age, and prior work/study experience in Korea. The general pass thresholds:

Eligibility generally requires holding at least an associate degree earned in Korea within the last 3 years, along with TOPIK level 4 or higher, or having completed the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) — though exact requirements can shift with policy updates, so confirming current criteria before applying is worth the extra step.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Check your eligibility category — recent Korean university graduate, professional job-seeker, or another D-10 subcategory, since documentation requirements differ.
2. Calculate your points using the official assessment criteria (or a quick estimate via our points calculator tool) before investing time in the full application.
3. Gather required documents — typically includes your degree certificate, TOPIK/KIIP proof, passport, and application forms specific to your subcategory.
4. Submit your application at an immigration office (if changing status from within Korea) or a Korean embassy/consulate (if applying from abroad).
5. Receive your D-10 status and begin your job search within the granted stay period, tracking your renewal timeline based on your points score.

What Happens After You Find a Job

Once you secure a job offer that matches a qualifying visa category (most commonly E-7 for specialized/professional roles), you generally apply to change status from D-10 to the appropriate work visa — the D-10 itself does not automatically convert. Employers sponsoring the new visa handle much of this process, but starting it as early as possible after receiving an offer generally avoids gaps in legal status.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection or Delay

• Applying without confirming your points score first. Submitting a full application under the general (60-point) threshold when your nationality actually requires 80 points is a common, avoidable error — always confirm which threshold applies to you before applying.
• Incomplete or mismatched documentation. Degree certificates, TOPIK/KIIP proof, and passport details need to match exactly across all submitted documents — discrepancies (name spelling, dates) are a common cause of processing delays.
• Missing the renewal window. Because D-10 stay periods are relatively short (6 months to 1 year at a time), letting your status lapse before filing a renewal or status change can create legal complications — track your expiration date closely.
• Assuming D-10 permits general employment. Taking on work beyond what’s explicitly permitted under your D-10 terms can jeopardize both your current status and future visa applications.

D-10 vs. Other Job-Seeking Options

The general trade-off: D-10 gives you legal footing to be physically present in Korea while networking and interviewing, which is often a real advantage over applying remotely from abroad — but it comes with the points-system hurdle and stay-length limits that E-7 (once you have an offer) doesn’t have.

That comparison assumes a professional or graduate profile — if your background is in manual or manufacturing-type labor instead, the entirely different E-9 work permit (EPS) process applies, and it is not accessible through the D-10 points system at all.

Documents Checklist in Detail

Requirements vary somewhat by subcategory, but a general D-10-1 application package typically includes:

• Passport and current visa / Residence Card (formerly ARC) (if changing status from within Korea).
• Degree certificate(s), with certified translation if not issued in Korean or English.
• TOPIK score report or KIIP completion certificate, whichever applies to your points calculation.
• Points self-assessment form covering age, education, language, and experience factors.
• Passport-size photo meeting current immigration photo specifications.
• Application fee, paid at time of submission.

Because exact document lists can shift between application cycles and depend on your specific subcategory, confirming the current checklist directly on HiKorea before your appointment is generally worth the extra step — bringing an incomplete file is one of the more common causes of delayed processing.

FAQ

Can I work part-time on a D-10 visa?

Limited part-time activity may be permitted under specific conditions and with separate permission — D-10 is not a general work authorization, so any employment activity generally needs to be confirmed as compliant with your specific permit terms.

How many times can I renew D-10?

Renewal generally depends on your points score at each extension — higher-scoring applicants can generally extend for longer periods before the visa’s overall cap is reached.

Do I need a job offer to apply for D-10?

No — D-10 is specifically designed for people who do not yet have a job offer and need visa status while searching. Once you have an offer, you’d generally transition to a work visa like E-7 instead.

What’s the difference between D-10 and E-7?

D-10 is a job-search status without an employer sponsor; E-7 is an employer-sponsored work visa for specialized roles that requires an actual job offer and company sponsorship to apply.

Can international students apply for D-10 after graduating?

Yes — this is one of the most common paths. Graduates of Korean universities (D-2 status) changing to D-10-1 for the first time are generally exempt from the points system for their initial year, making it an accessible transition immediately after graduation.

Can I travel outside Korea while on D-10?

Generally yes, but re-entry conditions and any re-entry permit requirements should be confirmed before departure, since an unplanned lapse in status while abroad can complicate your return and ongoing job search.

Does time on D-10 count toward permanent residency eligibility later?

Generally no on its own — D-10 is a job-seeking status, not a residence status that typically counts toward long-term residency or F-5 permanent residency timelines, which usually begin accruing once you’re on a qualifying work or resident visa like E-7 or F-2-7.

Using Your Time on D-10 Effectively

Because D-10 stay periods are limited, using the time strategically generally matters more than it might on a longer-status visa. Common approaches include: attending job fairs and networking events specifically aimed at foreign talent, which several organizations and universities host periodically; reaching out directly to companies known to sponsor E-7 visas in your field rather than relying solely on general job boards; and continuing Korean language study during your search period, since higher proficiency generally strengthens both your job prospects and any future points-based visa applications (like F-2-7) you pursue after securing work. Treating the D-10 period as active preparation time, not just a waiting period, generally improves the odds of a successful transition before the visa’s stay limit is reached.

Related Koreayo Guides

Weighing your options after D-10? See our guides to the E-7 visa salary requirements, studying in Korea as an international student, and our F-2-7 points-based residency guide for the next step after longer-term work status.

Sources

• Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice — VISA NAVIGATOR: Customized Stay Guide for Foreign Residents (Ver. 2023.05), Job Seeker (D-10) section, official PDF guide, immigration.go.kr, confirmed 2026-08-18
• Cross-referenced 2026 D-10 job-seeker visa guidance from multiple immigration consulting and legal-adjacent sources, checked 2026-08-15
• Points system thresholds and stay-duration rules cross-verified across independent sources, checked 2026-08-15

Last updated: August 15, 2026. Points criteria, thresholds, and eligible categories are subject to government policy updates — this article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm current requirements with Korea Immigration (HiKorea) or a licensed immigration consultant before applying.