What can and can't you do with a D-4 General Training visa?

D-4 is a status of stay for people who want to receive education or training. Work is restricted in principle, and you can work only if you get permission.

✅ What you can do

• Education and training: You can study Korean at a university language institute. You can also learn technical skills at a public research institute or training center. Training as an intern at a foreign-invested company, etc. also falls under this².
• Part-time work: This is restricted in principle. However, language trainees (D-4-1) can work with permission once 6 months have passed since the date they received that status¹.
• The basic limit is within 10 hours per week. If you meet requirements such as Korean language ability, the hours can increase⁴.
• Permission is given for up to 6 months, and only for 1 workplace⁴.
• This hours standard comes from 2023 practical materials. You need to check whether it is still the same now.
• Conversation instruction: There is also a standard for getting separate permission for conversation instruction (E-2) activities with general training (D-4-1) status¹.

❌ What you must not do

• Working without permission
• Working at a place other than the one you got permission for. If your employer changes, you must get permission again before you start work⁴.
• Making an employment contract through a manpower dispatch agency. Contracts where the employer and the actual workplace are different are not allowed⁴.
• Receiving more pay from the training institution than your living expenses. In this case you are not eligible for D-4³.

⚠️ Things to watch out for

If your school (affiliated institution) changes, you must report the change to your alien registration information¹. If you work without permission, you may be punished. It can also hurt you in future reviews for extending your stay or changing your status. If a problem has already happened, get a consultation with the K-VISA AI Administrative Agent (visa service in the app). For final confirmation, check HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).