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Degree Undergraduate

Part-time Work

Important Notes

  • Permission for part-time employment must be obtained before starting work.
  • The employment start date must be later than the expected approval date of permission

    ※ Failure to comply with this requirement will be considered illegal employment.

  • Students with a GPA below 2.0 in the previous semester and students in extra semester are not eligible to apply.
  • Students must report any change in the workplace within 15 days of the change.

    ※ Students may change workplaces to a different employer within the permitted period of part-time work. Such changes must be reported by visiting the Sejongno Immigration Office in person.

About Part-time Work

Under Korean immigration regulations, international students holding a D-2 visa are not allowed to freely work or earn income in Korea. International students are only able to engage in part-time work after obtaining permission from the Immigration Office. To apply for permission, students must first prepare the 'Part-Time Work of Foreign Student Confirmation Form; along with other supporting documents.

※ Please note that working without prior approval from the Immigration Office and GSC is considered illegal employment.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Hold a valid ARC with a D-2 visa
  • Have a GPA of at least C (2.0) in the previous semester (based on the date of application)
  • Be currently enrolled at KU and not in an extra semester
Part-Time Working Period, Places & Hours

Allowed Part-Time Working Period, Places & Hours

Working Period: Employment is limited to a maximum of 1 year during the coursework period (only within the authorized period of stay)
Workplaces: Employment is limited to a maximum of 2 workplaces at the same time.

Maximum Working Hours

Year Korean Language Proficiency Requirement Allowed Working Hours (per week)
a) TOPIK
b) Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP)
c) Korean Education at the King Sejong Institute 		Requirement Met Weekdays Weekends /
Vacations
1 ~ 2 a) Level 3 or above
b) Completion of Level 3 or above, or
    Score of 61 or above on the pre-evaluation test
c) Completion of Intermediate 1 or above 		X 10 hours
O 30 hours No limit
3 ~ 4 a) Level 4 or above
b) Completion of Level 4 or above, or
    Score of 81 or above on the pre-evaluation test
c) Completion of Intermediate 2 or above 		X 10 hours
O 30 hours No limit

* Only official TOPIK score reports are accepted; certificates issued by the KU Korean Language Center cannot be used as substitues.
* If a student's first major is International Studies, the student must submit proof issued by the affiliated department office confirming that all courses are conducted in English.
In such cases, a TOPIK score certificate may not be required, provided that the student submits one of the following English proficiency test scores:
- TOEFL 530 (CBT 197, iBT 71) or above
- IELTS 5.5 or above
- CEFR B2 or above
- TEPS 601 (NEW TEPS 327) or above

※ Students whose first major is International Studies and are from countries where English is the native or official language may be exempt from submitting English proficiency scores.

Fields Available for Part-Time Work* For more specific information, please contact GSC

Examples of Allowed Types of Part-Time Work (Permission Required)

  • Working as an assistant for the jobs falling under E-1~E-7 visa categories
    (e.g., Working as an assistant interpreter: Permitted / Working independently as an interpreter: NOT PERMITTED)
  • Internships in fields falling under E-1~E-7 visa categories for:
    - D-2-7 visa holders
    - D-2-2 visa holders during vacation periods

  • Paid Research Activities within the university
    * Cases in which research stipends or allowances are provided by the university, industry-academic cooperation foundations, etc.
    * Paid research activities both related and not related to the student's academic studies

  • Paid Research Activities related to the student's academic studies at another university

RESTRICTED Types of Part-Time Work

  • Private tutoring
  • Delivery work, substitute driving, insurance sales, door-to-door sales, or home-visit tutoring (e.g., Kumon tutor)
  • CTypes of work falling under E-1~E-7 visa categories
  • Construction, Manufacturing under the E-9 visa category, and types of work falling under the E-10 visa category

    ※ Exceptionally permitted for students with TOPIK Level 4 or above

  • Work at foreign languate education institutions for minors
    * Execptionally permitted only when working as a safety assistant or play assistant at an English kids cafe or English camp, and when all required documents are submitted, including:
    - A criminal background check issued by the student's home country government, and
    - A medical examination report issued by a medical institution designated by the Ministry of Justice (including drug test results)
  • Work involving dispatch, subcontracting, or job referral
  • Remote working
  • Paid Research Activities not related to the student's academic studies at another university

Types of Part-Time Work Exempt from Permission (Permission NOT Required)

  • Working at the home institution as a class assistant, librarian, etc.
  • Temporary assistance with household chores or office work
  • One-time participation in a movie, television show, or event
  • Participation in field traing semesters conducted in accordance with regulations and laws of the Ministry of Education
  • Work as an intermittent interpreter appointed by the Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency
    (excluding professionally recruited interpreters)
Required Documents

Required Documents

Part-Time Work of Foreign Student Confirmation Form

Copy of both sides of the ARC and Student ID

Certificate of Enrollment

The issuance date must be within 1 month prior to the application date

Transcript

Freshmen and transfer students in their first semester are not required to submit this document

Standard Employment Contract

Details such as exact working days, working hours, break hours, and hourly wage must be clearly stated

Copy of the Business Registration Certificate (of the workplace)

Copy of the Employer's ID Card

If not available, please submit the Company Certificate of Registry Information

Proof of Korean Language Proficiency

For detailed information, click here

Academic Advisor Confirmation Form & Letter of Recommendation from the Dean

View Details

This requirement applies only to Paid Research Activities conducted within the university or at another university

Statement of Reason for Participation in Research Activities Outside the Affiliated University

View Details

This requirement applies only to Paid Research Activities at another university

Part-time Work Permission Process

  • 1. International Student Petition vis KUPID

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  • 2. Submit the required documents via KUPID

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  • 3. Approval by the School’s Visa Staff from GSC

  • 4. Approval and update of the visa extension through HiKorea

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