Can I change from D-10 (Job Seeking) to another status of stay?

Yes, you can. Job Seeking (D-10) is a status for people preparing to get a job in a professional field, from Professor (E-1) to Specific Activities (E-7)². So when you find a job, many people change to the status that fits that job. But applying does not always mean you will be approved.

Key requirements

• Get permission first: To do activities of another status, such as starting a regular job, you must get permission to change your status of stay before you start working¹.
• Meet the requirements of the new status: In general, you must separately meet the requirements of the status you want (for example, E-7). These include the company and job type, education and work experience, and wages.
• Apply within your period of stay: In general, apply before your current period of stay ends. Make a visit reservation on HiKorea or file an online application, and submit it to the Immigration Office (출입국·외국인관서) that has jurisdiction over you.

What you can do with D-10

• You can do job-seeking activities, and a short internship program where you receive a training allowance before you start a regular job².
• Part-time work needs separate permission. Only people who meet the requirements under General Job Seeking (D-10-1) can do it, after getting Permission for Activities Not Covered by the Status of Sojourn (체류자격외활동허가)⁴.

⚠️ Things to watch out for

• Doing activities of another status without permission is against the law. Depending on how long the violation lasted, you may have to pay a fine from KRW 500,000 up to KRW 30,000,000³.
• If your period of stay has already ended, you were refused, or the status change is complicated, do not handle it alone. Use Visa Service in the app to get a consultation with the K-VISA AI Administrative Agent (행정사).

Please make the final check at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터) (1345).