D-10 Eligibility
Based on 10 official sources.
[1]Documents for changing to D-10-1 job-seeking status
Study in Korea's D-10-1 job-seeking guidance lists the core change-of-status packet as an application form, photo, passport copy, fee, alien registration card copy, job-seeking activity plan, degree certificate, and proof of residence. Korean-language proficiency or career certificates apply when relevant; financial proof is described as six months of living expenses at KRW 900,000 per month. A first change from Study (D-2) to Job-Seeking (D-10) is exempt from the financial-proof submission. Confirm the latest checklist through 1345 or the competent immigration office because additional documents can depend on the applicant's current status and subtype.
Source: Study in Korea · D-10-1 구직 체류자격 변경 · Checked 2026-07-14
[2]D-10 Job-Seeking and Startup-Preparation Overview
The Korea Visa Portal distinguishes Job Seeker (D-10-1) from Business Startup preparation (D-10-2). D-10 is not granted automatically upon graduation. Review whether the target activity is job seeking or training in an E-series professional field, or technology-startup preparation; the current status and expiry date; education, experience, and job-search plan; and whether domestic change is available. Confirm actual eligibility and documents against the Immigration Act, Enforcement Decree, Enforcement Rule, and current HiKorea status guidance.
Source: Korea Visa Portal · Visa Types · Checked 2026-07-03
[3]D-2/D-4/D-10/E-7/F-2/F-5 requirement check policy
Stay-status evaluation depends on current status, target status, activity purpose, school/employment/income, remaining stay period, and violation history. D-2 covers degree study, D-4 training/language programs, D-10 job seeking or startup preparation, E-7 professional/specific activities, F-2 residence, and F-5 permanent residence. If facts are missing, ask for current status, expiry date, school or employment conditions, and budget/financial proof before answering.
Source: 하이코리아 체류자격별 통합 안내 매뉴얼 · Checked 2026-07-02
[4]Korea Visa Portal visa-type list
The Korea Visa Portal visa-type list is operational guidance run by the Ministry of Justice. As checked on 2026-07-03, Study·Language Training includes D-2-1, D-2-2, D-2-3, D-2-4, D-2-5, D-2-6, D-4-1, D-4-3, and D-4-7; Professional includes D-10-1, D-10-2, and E-7-1. Legal stay-status conclusions must prioritize the Immigration Act, Enforcement Decree, and Enforcement Rule; the portal is used to confirm labels, categories, and application routes.
Source: Korea Visa Portal · Visa Types · Checked 2026-07-03
[5]Legal basis for change-of-status permission
Immigration Act Article 24 requires a foreign national staying in Korea to obtain change-of-status permission in advance, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, before engaging in activities under a status different from the current one. A person who was in one of the Article 31(1) exempt categories and changes identity must obtain change permission within 30 days from that change. The review criteria are set by Ministry of Justice rules, so KARXY should check whether the new activity has started, whether the current activity stopped, whether domestic change is available for the target status, and the Enforcement Decree tables, Enforcement Rule attachments, and HiKorea guidance.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 제24조 · Checked 2026-07-02
[6]Short-term and long-term ordinary stay statuses
Article 10-2 divides ordinary stay status into short-term and long-term status. Short-term status covers tourism, visits, and similar purposes for, in principle, 90 days or less. Long-term status covers study, training, investment, assignment, marriage, and similar purposes for more than 90 days within the maximum stay period set by Ministry of Justice rules. KARXY should separate C-3 short-term questions from D-2, D-4, D-10, E-7, and F-2 long-term questions, then check the 90-day threshold, activity purpose, and applicable Enforcement Decree table.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 제10조의2 · Checked 2026-07-02
[7]Long-term stay-status classifications under the Enforcement Decree
The Enforcement Decree table linked to Article 12 defines long-term stay statuses by eligible person or activity scope. D-2 covers degree study or specific research at higher-education or research institutions; D-4 covers training, education, or research under Ministry of Justice conditions; D-10 covers job seeking/training for E-series fields or startup preparation; E-7 covers activities specially designated by the Minister of Justice under contract. F-2 and F-5 require separate residence/permanent-residence criteria.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 시행령 · Checked 2026-07-02
[8]HiKorea integrated stay-status manual
HiKorea publishes an integrated manual by stay status for visa and residence petitions, covering applicant scope and required documents. The manual is updated when rules change, but publication can lag, so current case advice should be checked through 1345 or the competent immigration office. KARXY checks the Immigration Act, Enforcement Decree, and Enforcement Rule first, then uses this manual as operational document/procedure guidance.
Source: 하이코리아 체류자격별 통합 안내 매뉴얼 · Checked 2026-07-02
[9]Core rule: stay status and permitted activity scope
Under the Immigration Act system, a foreign national must hold a stay status and act only within the permitted status and period. Codes like D-2, D-4, D-10, E-7, F-2, and F-5 are not mere labels; they define the starting point for permitted activities and stay management. Answers must first identify current status, target activity, expiry date, and registration status.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 · Checked 2026-07-02
[10]HiKorea status-change guidance
If the applicant stops the current status activity and begins an activity under another status, change-of-status permission is required. HiKorea states the default principle is to depart, obtain the appropriate visa, and re-enter; domestic change is limited and strictly reviewed when requirements can be met in Korea. Permission must be obtained before starting the new activity.
Source: 하이코리아 체류자격변경 안내 · Checked 2026-07-02
How these rules apply can differ with your circumstances, and the final decision rests with the immigration office with jurisdiction. Preparing and filing documents for an individual case is the work of a licensed administrative scrivener.