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32-1 · Study, training, teaching & research stays

Part-time work permit for international students (D-2)

The D-2 (Study) status is not among the statuses that allow employment under Article 23 of the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Act, so an international student who wants to work part-time must obtain, in advance, a permit for activities outside the status of stay (part-time work permit) under Article 20 of the Immigration Act and Article 25 of its Enforcement Decree. After fixing the workplace and working conditions, the student obtains confirmation (recommendation) from the international student office of their school, then files the integrated application form with supporting documents at the immigration office having jurisdiction over their place of stay or through HiKorea e-application. School confirmation is based on the previous semester's grades, attendance and Korean language ability, and permitted hours vary by degree program, year of study and Korean language level. A student who works without a permit is subject to Article 94(12) of the Act, and an employer who hires a person without a status allowing employment is subject to Article 94(9), both punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to KRW 30 million.

HWANG YUNSANG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICESONGDO · 37.3892° N / 126.6439° E
#Part-time work permit for international students (D-2)#Official check#32-1
🌐 D-2 International Student Part-Time Work Permit
01

Procedure

Procedure

Procedure type
  • Permit Difficulty High

    A procedure that allows a business, activity or stay that the law generally restricts, after review; licenses fall into this type. The authority reviews facility standards, location and consultation with other agencies, and a permit can be refused if the standards are not met.

  1. 01

    Fix the workplace and working conditions: First decide the workplace, duties, working days and hours, hourly wage and contract period. Some fields such as adult entertainment businesses and private tutoring are not permitted, and some industries carry additional criteria such as Korean language ability, so check the industry and conditions at this stage.

  2. 02

    Check the school's criteria: School confirmation considers the previous semester's grades and attendance, Korean language ability (TOPIK, etc.) and compliance with permitted hours. Detailed criteria and permitted hours differ by school, degree program and year, so get guidance from the school's international affairs office first.

  3. 03

    Obtain school confirmation (recommendation): Submit a request for part-time work confirmation to the school's international student office with the employment contract and a copy of the business registration certificate; the officer reviews grades and attendance and issues a part-time work confirmation (recommendation).

  4. 04

    Apply for the permit for activities outside the status of stay: File the integrated application form with the school confirmation, employment contract and a copy of the business registration certificate at the immigration office having jurisdiction over your place of stay, or apply through HiKorea e-application. Under Annex 6 of the Enforcement Rule, the head of the competent immigration office handles D-2 permits for activities outside the status of stay.

  5. 05

    Start work after the permit is granted: If approved, a permit stamp or sticker is placed in the passport or a permit is issued where needed; if refused, the applicant is notified by a refusal notice (Article 25 of the Enforcement Decree). Before the first shift, the employer checks the alien registration card and the workplace and period on the permit.

  6. 06

    Manage workplace changes and permitted hours: Permits are issued per workplace, so changing or adding a workplace requires new school confirmation and a new permit. Permitted hours differ during the semester and vacation, and the permit period should be rechecked after extending the period of stay, so the employer and student manage the work schedule together.

02

Filing route

Filing route

The immigration office having jurisdiction over the place of stay (immigration service, office or branch office) or HiKorea e-application; school confirmation from the school's international affairs (international student) office

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyCompetent Immigration Office
Statutory and policy authorityCompetent Korean authority or official service
Online routeHiKorea
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 7

Working even one day before the permit is granted, or at a workplace not covered by the permit, can make the student subject to deportation under Article 46 of the Immigration Act, and the employer is also subject to criminal penalties.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.