How Many Hours Can International Students Work in Korea? D-2 and D-4 Part-Time Work Permission and Banned Jobs

As of 2026-10-04

International students must get part-time work permission (시간제 취업, a permit for activities outside their status: 체류자격 외 활동) from immigration before taking a part-time job. Undergraduates who meet the Korean requirement (years 1–2: TOPIK 3; years 3–4: TOPIK 4) can work up to 25 hours on weekdays, and master's and doctoral students with TOPIK 4 up to 30 hours. Degree students who meet the requirement have no hour limit on weekends, public holidays, and vacations. Language students (D-4) can apply only after 6 months from entry or status change. Working without permission can lead to up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million KRW, and deportation.

Weekday hours for degree students (D-2)

Program (Korean requirement)	Weekday hours allowed
Associate and bachelor's years 1–2 (TOPIK 3)	Below requirement 10 hours · Meets 25 hours · Bonus 30 hours
Bachelor's years 3–4 (TOPIK 4)	Below requirement 10 hours · Meets 25 hours · Bonus 30 hours
Master's and doctoral (TOPIK 4)	Below requirement 15 hours · Meets 30 hours · Bonus 35 hours

Instead of TOPIK, you can also meet the Korean requirement through KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program: for the level 3 standard, complete stage 3 or score 61+ on the pre-assessment; for level 4, complete stage 4 or score 81+) or the King Sejong Institute (complete Intermediate 1 / Intermediate 2 or higher).

Bonus: if you meet the Korean requirement AND one of the following applies — you attend an IEQAS-certified university (Education International Quality Assurance System), you had top grades last semester, or you have excellent Korean (such as TOPIK 5 or higher) — you get 5 more weekday hours.

Degree students who meet the Korean requirement have no hour limit on weekends and public holidays during the semester or during vacations. This table is the Ministry of Justice standard in effect since July 2023.

Language students (D-4) and other cases

Language students (D-4-1, D-4-7) and visiting students (D-2-8) become eligible only after 6 months from the date of status change (for visa holders, the entry date).
The "no hour limit on weekends and vacations" rule does not apply to language students. Check your allowed hours with your school's international student officer or 1345.
People who have finished master's or doctoral coursework and are only writing a thesis can work up to 30 hours a week, and the unlimited weekends/vacations rule does not apply.

Jobs you cannot do

Special-type employment (특수형태근로 — freelance-style work paid per job rather than as an employee), such as parcel delivery drivers, delivery app riders, designated drivers, insurance agents, home-study tutors, and door-to-door salespeople
Work through dispatch, subcontracting, or job-brokering arrangements, and work at a place far from your school (원거리 근무)
Manufacturing, construction, and other non-professional employment (E-9) industries — but manufacturing is allowed with Korean level 4 or higher
Professional (E-1~E-7) activities such as teaching foreign-language conversation to minors, and work against public morals such as adult entertainment

How to get permission

Get a part-time work confirmation from your school's international student officer (they check attendance, grades, and other academic progress).
Apply online at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or visit your local immigration office. There is no fee, and processing takes up to 14 days (usually within 3 days).
Start working only after you get permission. If your workplace changes, you must get permission again.
International students also get the minimum wage (10,320 KRW per hour in 2026) and weekly holiday pay, the same as everyone else.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours a week can international students work part-time?

Undergraduates who meet the Korean requirement can work 25 weekday hours (30 with the bonus); master's and doctoral students 30 hours (35 with the bonus). Below the requirement, it is 10 hours for undergraduates and 15 hours for graduate students. If you meet the requirement, there is no hour limit on weekends and vacations.

Can language students (D-4) work part-time?

Yes, after 6 months from entry or status change you can apply for part-time work permission. The "no hour limit on weekends and vacations" rule does not apply.

Can I work as a delivery rider?

No. Special-type employment such as delivery app riders, parcel delivery drivers, and designated drivers is a field banned for international students' part-time work.

What happens if I work without permission?

Under the Immigration Act you can face up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million KRW, and you may be advised to leave or deported.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult the Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350) or a lawyer.