Part-time Work Permit Application for International Students on Degree Programs (D-2)

D-2 students can legally work part-time jobs that do not interfere with their studies.

This guide is structured to detail the part-time work permit application process, required documents, and considerations to make it comprehensible even for first-time applicants.

✅ What kind of part-time jobs are possible?

The fields where D-2 students can legally work are limited.

• Allowed Fields: Interpretation and translation, restaurant assistant, convenience store, office assistant, tour guide assistant, duty-free shop sales assistant, simple labor such as packaging and cleaning

• Restricted Fields: Manufacturing, platform labor like delivery/courier, facilities related to foreign language education for minors, etc.

👉 Simply put, only simple auxiliary tasks that can be combined with studying are permitted.

There are exceptions allowed!

• Professional Internship: Internships in specialized fields related to your major (E-1 to E-7) are allowed during vacation periods.

• Manufacturing: Allowed if you possess TOPIK level 4 (completion of KIIP level 4) or above.

• English-related Activities: With the submission of a criminal record certificate issued by your government and a physical examination certificate from a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice (including drug test results), one can work as a safety assistant or play assistant in English kids cafes, English camps, foreign language conversation academies.

✅ When and where can I start a part-time job?

For D-2 students, they can apply immediately after acquiring the qualification.

D-2 students can work part-time for up to one year within their stay period and are limited to two workplaces simultaneously.

• If you want to change your part-time job location, you must cancel one of your currently approved workplaces before applying to the new one.

✅ How long can you work?

Weekday: Depending on the grades and TOPIK scores

• D-2 Bachelor's Program: 10 hours to a maximum of 25 hours per week

• D-2 Master's & Doctorate Programs: 15 hours to a maximum of 30 hours per week

• Excellent TOPIK Scores / High Achievers / Korean ProficiencyIn case of, international students in bachelor's programsmaximum 30 hours, master’s and doctoral students up to 35 hours of work is possible.

Weekends & Holidays: Depending on possession of TOPIK level 3~4, unlimited work is permitted.

⚠️ Important

🎓Bachelor’s & Associate Degree Programs In the case of international students, if unable to meet graduation requirements due to insufficient grades, special stay permission is granted → Part-time work permission is not allowed!

🎓Master's & Doctoral Programs For international students, after completing the standard program, thesis candidates can apply for part-time work permits for up to 30 hours per week!

• However, if lacking in grades or attendance, it is excluded due to academic negligence.

✅ What documents do I need to prepare?

📌 Documents for D-2 students to prepare

• Passport and alien registration card

• Unified Application Form

• Certificate of Confirmation for Part-Time Work for International Students (Issued by School)

• Transcripts up to the most recent semester

• TOPIK Score Certificate (if available)

📌 Documents employers need to prepare

• Labor Contract

• Copy of Business Registration Certificate

• Copy of Employer ID (if required)

✅ What are the application procedures?

Offline Application

• Visit the relevant immigration office and submit documents.

Online Application (HiKorea)

1. Civil application

2. Electronic civil service

3. Personal application

4. Approval for Part-Time Work for International Students (D-2) and Language Training Students (D-4-1)

5. Check administrative information sharing agreement

6. Click next button and submit documents

✅ There are no application fees!

✅ Here's how you can check the result!

👉 Go to the HiKorea website → Mypage → Check the status of electronic civil applications