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VISAPublicado por Leo M. 🇫🇷 France · hace 43 min
Can I work part-time in Korea on a D-4 student visa?
I'm starting a Korean language course in Seoul soon (planning 2 semesters). I'd like to earn a little money while I study. Is it legal to work part-time on a D-4 visa? When can I start, and how many hours per week are allowed?
9 comentarios
RESPUESTA OFICIAL
KyaALLO TEAM
Founder & Head Consultant · Seoul
Yes, you can — but not right away. Here's exactly how it works for language students.
1. No work during your first 6 months. The D-4 visa doesn't allow paid work when you first arrive. You need to complete 6 months of your course first.
2. After 6 months, apply for a part-time work permit. You apply through immigration (HiKorea) with a confirmation from your language school. Most students do this at the start of their second semester.
3. Up to 20 hours per week during term. Immigration checks your attendance — keep it above 90% — and may ask for a basic TOPIK level.
4. Some jobs are off-limits. Cafes, restaurants, shops and offices are fine. Nightlife venues and delivery riding are not allowed even with the permit.
ALLO tip: most of our students find their first job near campus after one semester, once their Korean is ready for a simple interview. If you applied through ALLO we remind you when your 6 months are up and help you prepare the permit paperwork — free.
Immigration rules can change — this reflects the rules as of July 2026.
1. No work during your first 6 months. The D-4 visa doesn't allow paid work when you first arrive. You need to complete 6 months of your course first.
2. After 6 months, apply for a part-time work permit. You apply through immigration (HiKorea) with a confirmation from your language school. Most students do this at the start of their second semester.
3. Up to 20 hours per week during term. Immigration checks your attendance — keep it above 90% — and may ask for a basic TOPIK level.
4. Some jobs are off-limits. Cafes, restaurants, shops and offices are fine. Nightlife venues and delivery riding are not allowed even with the permit.
ALLO tip: most of our students find their first job near campus after one semester, once their Korean is ready for a simple interview. If you applied through ALLO we remind you when your 6 months are up and help you prepare the permit paperwork — free.
Immigration rules can change — this reflects the rules as of July 2026.
¿Te ha servido?Actualizado hace 43 min
9 comentarios
Yes, you can — but not right away. Here's exactly how it works for language students.
1. No work during your first 6 months. The D-4 visa doesn't allow paid work when you first arrive. You need to complete 6 months of your course first.
2. After 6 months, apply for a part-time work permit. You apply through immigration (HiKorea) with a confirmation from your language school. Most students do this at the start of their second semester.
3. Up to 20 hours per week during term. Immigration checks your attendance — keep it above 90% — and may ask for a basic TOPIK level.
4. Some jobs are off-limits. Cafes, restaurants, shops and offices are fine. Nightlife venues and delivery riding are not allowed even with the permit.
ALLO tip: most of our students find their first job near campus after one semester, once their Korean is ready for a simple interview. If you applied through ALLO we remind you when your 6 months are up and help you prepare the permit paperwork — free.
Immigration rules can change — this reflects the rules as of July 2026.
1. No work during your first 6 months. The D-4 visa doesn't allow paid work when you first arrive. You need to complete 6 months of your course first.
2. After 6 months, apply for a part-time work permit. You apply through immigration (HiKorea) with a confirmation from your language school. Most students do this at the start of their second semester.
3. Up to 20 hours per week during term. Immigration checks your attendance — keep it above 90% — and may ask for a basic TOPIK level.
4. Some jobs are off-limits. Cafes, restaurants, shops and offices are fine. Nightlife venues and delivery riding are not allowed even with the permit.
ALLO tip: most of our students find their first job near campus after one semester, once their Korean is ready for a simple interview. If you applied through ALLO we remind you when your 6 months are up and help you prepare the permit paperwork — free.
Immigration rules can change — this reflects the rules as of July 2026.
0
¿Los 6 meses cuentan desde la fecha de emisión del visado o desde que empiezan las clases?· Traducido del francés
12
From your course start date. If you start in September, you can apply for the permit in March — we send our students a reminder so nobody misses it.
18
Parfait, merci beaucoup !
3
I did this last year — worked weekends at a cafe in Hongdae. The permit took about a week at immigration. Get your attendance certificate from the school office first, they know the drill.
9
Covered my goshiwon and food. Don't expect to save much though.
6
Was the pay ok? Enough to cover rent?
4
Thanks everyone, this helps a lot. One more thing — does the permit renew every semester, or is it one-time?
5
It's tied to your period of stay — when you extend your visa for the third semester you renew the permit at the same visit. One trip to immigration, and we walk you through it.
11
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