D-10 Job-Seeker Visa Training Activities & Training Institution Change Guide

 A must-read guide for foreigners job-seeking in Korea & HR managers

As the number of foreign nationals holding the D-10 Job-Seeker Visa increases in Korea, it has become essential to understand the rules for starting an internship (training) or changing a training institution.
This post summarizes the official guidelines, including training requirements, institution change rules, rejection reasons, and required documents, based on the attached immigration notice.

1. Basic Regulations for D-10 Visa Training Activities

Foreign nationals with a D-10-1 (General Job-Seeker) visa may participate in internship (training) activities in job categories corresponding to E-1 to E-7 visas or may change their training institution.

• Legal basis: Immigration Control Act Article 35, Enforcement Decree Article 44, Enforcement Rule Article 49-2
• Even during the 90-day foreigner registration period, training must be reported regardless of registration status if the reason occurs

• ⚠ Not allowed:
• D-10-2 (Tech Startup) holders
• E-1 to E-7 visa holders who changed to D-10-1 after employment (internships are prohibited)

2. Training Start & Training Institution Change (Report within 15 days)

Training start or institution change must be reported within 15 days from the date the reason occurs.

✔ Training Duration

• Allowed for up to 1 year within the D-10 visa validity
• At the same company, training may not exceed 6 months total

✔ Eligible Training Fields

• Only training in E-1 to E-7 professional fields is permitted
• Simple part-time jobs (restaurants, cafés, delivery, etc.) are not allowed

• ⚠ Excluded fields:

• E-6-2 (Entertainment / Adult industry)
• E-7-4 (Skilled Worker)

✔ Eligible Training Institutions

• The institution must be qualified to employ E-1 to E-7 visa holders
• Must be a legitimate, officially registered company (employment insurance, tax registration, etc.)

✔ Training Compensation

• Must be written in the employment contract
• Payment must meet minimum wage standards or higher

✔ Working Hours

• Up to 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week (Labor Standards Act applies)
• Must be formal internship training with a contract of 1 month to under 6 months
• Short-term “test work” before hiring is not considered training

3. What Counts as a Training Institution Change?

A training institution change applies when:

• A D-10 job seeker is newly hired as an intern (training personnel) by a company
• The training institution changes its name or business entity
• The foreigner begins training at a new company during the D-10 visa period

4. Reasons for Training Activity Rejection

Training activity reports may be rejected for the following reasons:

❗ 1) Not Meeting Requirements

• The foreigner does not meet the internship qualification
• The company does not meet the legal requirements to hire foreign interns

❗ 2) Abuse of Internship System

If the company has used internships without hiring the intern afterward:

• Within the last 6 months

• The number of foreign interns not hired after training is

  10% or more of total employees (including foreigners) 20% or more for companies with fewer than 10 employees

⚠ Exceptions:
If the intern was hired after training, this limit does not apply

❗ 3) Exceeding Maximum Duration at the Same Company

If the foreign job seeker has exceeded 6 months of total internship at the same company while on D-10 status

5. Required Documents for Training Start or Institution Change

The following documents must be submitted when reporting a training start or change:

📄 Mandatory Documents

1. Foreigner Registration Information Change Report
2. Training (Internship) Contract
3. Training Institution Registration Documents (business registration certificate, etc.)
4. Employment Insurance Subscriber List of the training institution
5. Any additional documents requested by immigration for review

Training activities under the D-10 visa are an essential step for foreigners preparing for employment in Korea.
Understanding the rules for training duration, institution eligibility, working hours, compensation, and rejection criteria ensures that your training can proceed smoothly and without refusal.

If needed, WorkOn provides support with:

• Training institution eligibility review
• Document preparation for training reports
• Corporate matching and hiring support for foreign applicants