🤷‍♀️D-2 What kind of part-time job can international students do? Complete summary of legal conditions

You want to earn your own allowance or living expenses while living in Korea, but you're unsure which part-time jobs are legal, right? 😢

We've gathered only the essential information for international students and employers worried about illegal employment. ✨

We'll make it easy and accurate so you can earn money safely and enjoy life in Korea!

📝 Must-do before starting a part-time job! Permit for hourly employment

You may have been confused because part-time jobs aren't automatically allowed for international students. In principle, employment is prohibited but possible if you get the permit below.

1. School international student staff confirmation then permission from local immigration office is required

2. Prepare passport, alien registration card, standard admission letter (or proof of enrollment)

3. You can apply Monday to Friday, 07:00~22:00 via HiKorea online civil service (20,000 KRW fee, 20% discount for online application)

👉 If you know just this, your first step to starting a part-time job is perfectly set!

☕ Safe part-time job types allowed on D-2 visa

Worried about whether you can work at a cafe or restaurant? It's safe to look for simple or assistant work typically allowed for students!

1. Restaurant assistant, general office assistant, tourism guide assistant, duty-free shop sales assistant

2. During vacations major-related professional internships

3. If you meet the requirements: safety and play assistant at English kids' cafes or English camps

👉 We recommend starting with familiar and safe places like cafes near your school or on-campus jobs!

⏱️ Permitted work hours by degree and Korean proficiency

You may have been confused about how many hours you can work. Allowed hours vary by degree course and TOPIK score.

1. As of policy announced 2023.06.23, undergraduate program: increase from 20 to 25 hours per week

2. Usually, undergraduates: 10 or 25 hours per week, master's/Ph.D.: 15 or 30 hours

3. Undergraduate year 1-2: TOPIK level 3, year 3-4 and graduate students: TOPIK level 4 standard

👉 With excellent grades and Korean, extra working hours are possible—so it's really important!

🚫 Attention! Prohibited industries you must not work in

If you considered delivery jobs, be extra careful! Working without permission or in banned jobs can lead to deportation and severe penalties.

1. Delivery riders, courier staff, etc. special forms of labor and construction work restricted

2. Dispatch/contract/agency work, distant workplaces, private language tutoring not allowed

3. Illegal employment: maximum fine of KRW 30 million and D-10 visa conversion disadvantage

4. However, manufacturing is normally banned, but an exception is possible with TOPIK level 4 or higher

👉 To avoid disadvantages, it's smartest to apply only for safe fields from the start!

In conclusion

✔️ D-2 part-time jobs always require immigration permission for hourly work!

✔️ Look mainly for simple assistant jobs such as restaurant and office assistant

✔️ Delivery, courier, and construction work are banned; if caught, beware of fines and deportation

We sincerely wish you a great study abroad experience working legally and safely in Korea! ✨

TIP. You can find various information on life in Korea on VIVISA!