Legal Part-Time Work Guidelines and Rules for International Students in Korea

1. Common Basic Rules for International Students Working Part-Time

Prior approval is mandatory → You must obtain permission for employment activities from Immigration to work legally.

Academic requirements must be met → Minimum GPA and attendance standards apply.

Weekly working hours are limited

Illegal employment may result in visa cancellation or deportation

※ Supervising authority: Immigration Office (Immigration & Foreigners Office)

2. D-2 Visa (College, University, and Graduate School Students)

Permitted Types of Part-Time Work

• Restaurants, cafés, convenience stores

Serving staff, kitchen assistant

Interpretation/translation (if related to major or language proficiency)

Office assistant, research assistant (RA)

On-campus jobs (library, administrative office, etc.)

Major-related work such as IT or design

Working Hour Limits

During the semester

Junior college & undergraduate students: up to 20 hours per week

Graduate students: up to 30 hours per week

During vacation periods

No hourly limit

3. D-4 Visa (Language Training / Korean Language Program)

Permitted Part-Time Work

Simple service jobs (restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, etc.)

Simple factory work (partially permitted)

Cleaning, packaging, and similar tasks

Restricted Work

Interpretation/translation

Professional or office jobs

Any work requiring specialized skills (generally prohibited)

Working Hour Limits

Up to 20 hours per week

Employment allowed after 6 months from the start of the training program

4. Prohibited Industries for International Students

Entertainment businesses, karaoke host/hostess work

Massage parlors and adult-related industries

Illegal multi-level marketing (MLM)

Construction sites (mostly prohibited)

Any work performed without prior authorization

5. Required Documents to Check Before Working

-Application for Permission to Engage in Employment Activities

Employment contract

Business registration certificate

Certificate of enrollment & academic transcript

Ministry of Employment and Labor guidelines for international student part-time work

Reference: Easy Law Information please click → <www.easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMainBtr.laf?csmSeq=508&ccfNo=3&cciNo=7&cnpClsNo=1>

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