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Student Part-Time Work: Get Permission First, Allowed Hours

Last checked: 2026-11-03

This article was translated by AI. If anything differs, the Korean original prevails. Read the Korean original

Students with a Study (D-2) or General Training (D-4) visa cannot work in principle. You must get permission for activities outside your visa status (체류자격 외 활동허가) in advance before you can work part-time. Immigration offices review the permission. Rules can change and conditions differ for each person. Be sure to check with your school and the Foreigner Support Center (외국인종합안내센터).

What to do before you work

Language trainees (D-4-1, D-4-7) and visiting students (D-2-8) must wait until 6 months have passed since the date their status changed or they entered Korea. People who finished their program but received exceptional stay permission, for example because of missing credits, are in principle not eligible.

1. Ask your school's international student staff whether you can work, and get their confirmation.
2. Check your proof of Korean language ability.
3. Prepare documents such as the application form, passport and Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증).
4. Apply at the immigration office in charge of your address.
5. Start work only after you get permission.

Allowed hours (per week, official guidance in effect from July 2023)

You may also have your Korean level recognized by completing the Social Integration Program or King Sejong Institute courses. Ask your school about the conditions for certified universities, excellent grades and excellent Korean. Thesis-preparation students who received exceptional stay permission have other limits.

• Language training: from 6 months later. 10 hours if you do not meet standards such as TOPIK Level 2, 20 hours if you do. 25 hours for certified universities and top students.
• Associate and bachelor's years 1 to 2: 10 hours if you do not meet standards such as TOPIK Level 3. If you do, 25 hours on weekdays, and no limit on weekends and school breaks. 30 hours on weekdays for certified universities and top students.
• Bachelor's years 3 to 4: 10 hours if you do not meet standards such as TOPIK Level 4. If you do, 25 hours on weekdays, and no limit on weekends and school breaks. 30 hours on weekdays for certified universities and top students.
• Master's and doctoral: 15 hours if you do not meet standards such as TOPIK Level 4. If you do, 30 hours on weekdays, and no limit on weekends and school breaks. 35 hours on weekdays for certified universities and top students.

Work you cannot do

• Delivery driver, delivery rider, designated driver, insurance planner, study-materials teacher, door-to-door salesperson
• Work through dispatch, subcontracting or brokering
• Work done in a remote place
• The construction industry and seafarer employment. Manufacturing is also restricted, but it is allowed as an exception if your Korean is Level 4 or higher.
• Work that goes against good morals or public order
• Specialist work without permission (for example: teaching foreign language conversation to minor students)

If you work without permission

If you work without permission, you can be punished with up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30,000,000 won. You can also be advised to leave voluntarily or be deported. Even if your boss says "it's fine," check for permission first.

Where to ask

First ask your school's international office or the staff in charge of international students. For the latest rules, call the Foreigner Support Center to check. On Hi Korea, you can also use "Check Foreigner Employment and Hiring Eligibility" (외국인 취업 및 고용가능여부 조회하기).

Official sources

• 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보: 외국인유학생 시간제 취업(아르바이트), 2026.10.15. 기준 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 국립국제교육원 한국유학종합시스템: 시간제 취업 안내 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 법무부 출입국·외국인정책본부: 외국인종합안내센터(1345) (Checked: 2026-11-03)

This is general information. Your situation may differ, so please confirm with the official agency. Report a mistake

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