Changing from student to work status
Your student status ends when you graduate. Before then you must change to a work status or move to D-10 (job seeking).
Two routes
- If you have a job — apply to change directly to E-7 or similar
- If you don't yet — change to D-10 and job hunt
Steps
- Start one or two terms before graduation with your international and careers offices.
- Check the role is an E-7 eligible occupation. The link to your major matters.
- Choose a company and sign the contract. Confirm the company meets the requirements for hiring foreign staff.
- Prepare your graduation certificate and transcript.
- Apply while your period of stay still has time left.
- Receive the new card after approval, then start work.
What you need
- Passport, Alien Registration Card, application form
- Graduation (or expected graduation) certificate and transcript
- Employment contract
- Company documents (business registration, financial and employment records)
- The fee — check on HiKorea
Where to go
- Your school's international and careers offices
- HiKorea www.hikorea.go.kr · 1345
- Your immigration office
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor
Questions people ask
I graduated but have no job yet. Change to D-10. Letting time pass after graduation puts your stay at risk.
I was hired by a company unrelated to my major. The link between the role and your major is assessed. Asking 1345 before applying is safer.
The company says "just start and we'll sort it out later". Working before approval is activity outside your status. Get the change approved first.
Can I go full-time at my part-time workplace? Only if the role meets the requirements. Simple manual roles are often not E-7 eligible.
Take care
Missing the graduation deadline is the most common mistake. School administration and immigration are separate. As soon as graduation is confirmed, check with 1345.
Related
d2-student-visa · d10-job-seeking · e7-skilled-worker · change-of-status
Source
Ministry of Justice HiKorea www.hikorea.go.kr / As of 2026-08