Greetings,
This is from the CAU MBA office.

Many companies offer internships to international students. The Korean immigration office has a specific visa designed for internships – the D-10-1 Visa!

We’ll take a closer look at the D-10-1 Visa.

What is the D-10-1 Visa?

The formal name for the D-10-1 Visa is the "General Job-Seeking" visa, commonly referred to as the job-seeking or internship visa. It allows individuals to participate in internships or job-seeking activities before landing a full-time job in a professional field that qualifies for E-1 to E-7 visas.

Note: Simple labor or production-related jobs, such as manufacturing, construction, or roles in English-speaking kids’ cafés, are not allowed under this visa.

For many D-2 (undergraduate/graduate) or D-4 (language training) visa holders, it’s rare to transition directly to an E-7 visa (the professional work visa). Most students first change from D-2 or D-4 to D-10-1, which allows them to engage in internships or job-seeking activities before moving on to full-time employment with an E-7 Visa.

Q: Can D-2 or D-4 visa holders work as interns?

• D-2 (Undergraduate/Graduate Students): Yes, during school vacation periods. However, since internships with earnings are considered “activities outside of their visa status,” immigration approval is required. Additionally, the limited vacation period may not be sufficient to fully utilize an internship.

• D-4 (Language Training Students): No, they cannot work as interns.

Key Features of the D-10-1 Visa for HR Managers

The D-10-1 Visa is valid for six months at a time and can be extended up to two years. During this period, interns can work for up to one year, but no more than six months at a single company.

For example:

• Option 1: 6 months at Company A + 6 months at Company B = 1 year.
• Option 2: 6 months at Company A + 3 months at Company B + 3 months at Company C = 1 year.

Benefits of Hiring a D-10-1 Visa Holder as an Intern

• You can assess their fit with your company for up to six months before applying for an E-7 visa.
• You can reduce the probationary period when transitioning to full-time employment.
• Full-time work is allowed.
• The internship reporting process is simple.

Important Considerations

• If a candidate has previously been issued an E-7 visa, they cannot work as an intern on a D-10-1 visa. They are allowed to seek a job but must apply for an E-7 visa directly for employment.

• The D-10-1 visa is specifically designed for the probation period before official employment under an E-7 visa. Therefore, if a candidate or company does not meet the E-7 requirements, immigration may reject the internship report.

Required Documents for D-10-1 Internship Reporting

1. Unified Application Form
2. Internship Employment Contract
3. Company Business Registration Certificate Copy
4. List of Employees Covered by Employment Insurance

Note: Internship reports must be submitted to the immigration office within 15 days of starting the internship. Reports can also be faxed to 1577-1346.

Now that you know more about the D-10-1 visa, it's important to remember that this visa is intended for a probationary period before full employment under the E-7 visa.

If you're considering hiring a D-10-1 visa holder as an intern, make sure to check if the job role you're offering has an E-7 visa occupation code and confirm that the candidate meets E-7 eligibility requirements before proceeding.