VisaMatch

Getting started · 4 min read

7 things to check before applying to a Korean company

Turn a job posting into a practical plan: duties, timing, documents, working conditions and official checks.

1. Choose the work you want to do

Choose one or two roles to explore. Under each, write the tasks you want to do and the skills you can show. A broad label such as “global work” is hard to turn into an application; “research overseas customers and write product content” gives you something to prepare.

2. Put graduation and joining dates on one timeline

Confirm when your university can issue graduation-related records, and distinguish your preferred start date from the company’s requested date. If they overlap with study commitments or official procedures, ask about flexibility early. Do not promise you can start before you have checked what applies to you.

3. Separate required and preferred qualifications

Make two columns: requirements and preferences. Note the requested language, degree, experience and how each must be demonstrated. If “business Korean” is unclear, ask which tasks use Korean and whether interviews or documents must be in Korean. A preferred skill is not the same as a required qualification.

4. Prepare only the requested application materials

Check the form, file type, language, deadline and submission channel. Keep a copy of what you actually send. A résumé, personal statement and portfolio serve different purposes; choose examples that answer the role’s needs. If identity documents are requested unexpectedly, verify the purpose and official recipient before sending anything.

5. Map the hiring stages

Look for document review, assignments, tests and interviews. The order and number of stages differ. Ask about the expected schedule, interview format and any work sample. For an assignment, clarify the scope, submission method and how your work will be used before you begin.

6. Write down the working conditions

Make a question list covering actual duties, location, working hours, contract type, pay components and the proposed start date. Ask for unclear points in writing and compare the offer with the contract. “Salary negotiable” does not tell you the amount, what is included, or what you take home.

7. Find the official guidance for your circumstances

Use HiKorea’s procedure pages and status-specific guidance, then ask the Immigration Contact Center 1345 or your responsible immigration office which current rules apply to your status, study timeline and actual duties. Your university’s international office can help you prepare the question. A company offer or willingness to help with paperwork is not permission to work.

Before you move on

  • I can describe the duties and one relevant experience.
  • I have compared graduation, application and joining dates.
  • I have questions for both the employer and the official advice channel.
My career preparation checklist →

Official sources & review scope

The examples, wording tips and checklists are VisaMatch’s own preparation suggestions. Source checks cover only the topics described below, not every statement on the linked sites.

This material is general information for career preparation. Hiring conditions and program eligibility vary by employer and institution. Check current official guidance and your own circumstances to confirm residence and work permission.

Only the guide title and public URL are shared. Your checks and diagnostic answers are excluded.

Keep preparing

Disclaimer and service information

Choose one answer for each question. Review the first three priorities, then tick off your preparation items. A tick only records your progress; it does not confirm eligibility. Copy or print your list for your own reference. You can edit your answers at any time.

VisaMatch is a free, independent information tool for international students and graduates of universities in Korea who are preparing to work in Korea. It is not an official government service and does not imply government approval or affiliation.

The checklists and explanations organize general preparation steps based on answers to a limited set of questions. They do not replace individual legal advice, professional administrative services, or an official decision based on a review of your full immigration history, education, employment conditions, and other relevant circumstances.

VisaMatch does not determine eligibility for a visa, a change or extension of stay, or permission to work. It does not guarantee any visa approval or job outcome. Completing checklist items does not mean that you meet legal requirements or have obtained permission.

Laws, policies, procedures, and official guidance may change. The summaries on this service may not reflect every individual circumstance or the latest changes. A source review date indicates when the relevant content was checked; it does not guarantee that the same requirements still apply.

Before submitting an application, changing or extending your stay, or starting work, check current official information from Hi Korea, the Korea Immigration Service, and the Korea Visa Portal. For questions about your circumstances, contact the relevant immigration office, the Immigration Contact Center at 1345, or an appropriately qualified professional.

English and Korean explanations are summaries provided for convenience. If you find differences in wording, translation, or official information, do not rely on this service alone to reach a conclusion. Confirm the applicable requirements with official sources and the relevant authority.

External websites and sharing services are not operated by VisaMatch. Their own terms and privacy policies apply when you use them.

This notice explains the scope and limitations of the service. It does not exclude or limit any operator liability or user rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

Official Immigration Contact Center 1345 ↗

Contact-service scope reviewed: 2026-10-17; individual visa requirements not assessed.

Who this is for

This tool helps international students and graduates organize preparation for work in Korea. It does not decide visa eligibility, permission to work, or a required visa route. Other and unknown statuses receive general preparation guidance. It does not offer job matching or immigration applications.

Official resources

These links help you find official guidance. They do not verify your individual requirements. Content is reviewed manually, not updated automatically.

Korea Immigration Service

Find official announcements and contact information. This entry page does not verify any individual requirement.

Individual requirements not verifiedhttps://www.immigration.go.kr/
Hi Korea

Look for stay guidance and procedures. Page content could not be verified in this review.

Individual requirements not verifiedhttps://www.hikorea.go.kr/
Korea Visa Portal

Find visa categories and official guidance. Page content could not be verified in this review.

Individual requirements not verifiedhttps://www.visa.go.kr/
D-10 scheme improvement notice

An official notice about changes to job-seeking support for graduates. Confirm the current rules for your case; this checklist does not reproduce durations or eligibility conditions.

Notice topic reviewed: 2026-10-17. Individual requirements not assessed.https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/moj/189/601114/artclView.do

Start again

Start again? Current answers and checked items will be cleared. Saved data will also be deleted.