I-EUMLiving in Korea

Study (D-2) and Language Training (D-4) — get permission before a part-time job

This page is machine translated from Ieumi's guide written in Korean. If the meaning is confusing, please look at the Korean original text. View original text (Korean)

You cannot work with a study or language training status alone. Before you start work, you must get a 「체류자격 외 활동허가」(permission for activities outside your status of stay) (part-time work permission).

📌 Key points

The hours allowed differ by Korean ability and course. The standard is TOPIK level 3 for associate and bachelor's years 1 to 2, and TOPIK level 4 for bachelor's years 3 to 4 and master's and doctoral students (the same levels in the Social Integration Program and King Sejong Institute are also accepted). If you meet the standard, it is 25 hours on weekdays (30 hours for master's and doctoral students), with no hour limit on weekends and vacations. If you do not meet it, it is 10 hours including weekends and vacations (15 hours for master's and doctoral students). Students at certified universities, with excellent grades, or with excellent Korean can work up to 30 hours on weekdays (35 hours for master's and doctoral students).

🔢 Do these in order

  1. Get part-time work confirmation from your school's international student officer.
  2. Apply to the local immigration office (출입국·외국인관서) through HiKorea e-civil service or a visit reservation.
  3. Start work after the permission is issued.

📍 Where to go

School international student officer → local immigration office (출입국·외국인관서)

💻 Do it online

⚠️ Things to watch out for

Language training (D-4-1, D-4-7) and visiting students (D-2-8) can apply only after 6 months from the day they got that status (the entry date if you came in with a visa). For the hours allowed to language trainees and the jobs where permission is limited, ask your school officer or 1345. The Ministry of Justice announced in October 2026 that it will change the student visa system, so check the HiKorea notices before you apply.

❗ What happens if you don't

If you work without permission, you can be punished by up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won, and you can be subject to deportation.

See also

Basis

  • 찾기쉬운 생활법령 「외국인유학생 > 시간제 취업」 2026-09-15 기준 https://easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=2853&ccfNo=3&cciNo=6&cnpClsNo=1 — 표 「한국어 능력별, 학위 과정별 허용 시간 (2023. 7. 시행)」 · 출처 법무부 『체류자격별 통합 안내 매뉴얼』(2026-09-01) · D-4-1 · D-4-7 · D-2-8 6개월 (조사원 확인 2026-10-12)
  • 출입국관리법 제20조 · 제46조 제1항 제8호 · 제94조 제12호(3년 · 3천만) (법률 제21857호, 시행 2026-10-02 · 법제처 API 원문 대조 2026-10-12)
  • 법무부 보도자료 「외국인 유학생 40만명 시대를 대비하여 '유치'에서 '성장'으로 비자정책 전환」 2026-10-07 https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration/214/611171/artclView.do (첨부는 열지 않음)
  • 🔴 쓰지 않은 것: D-4 허용 시간 숫자(생활법령에 없음 · 국립국제교육원 안내는 날짜가 없고 한 칸이 다르다) · 제한 업종 목록(공식 원문 확인 전)

This content was checked on 2026-10-31.

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