Free vocational training
Most vocational training is state-funded. A qualification helps with both status change and employment.
What training exists
- Technical — welding, electrical, machinery, car maintenance, construction
- Service — cooking, baking, beauty, care work
- Office and IT — computing, accounting, web and design
- Korean plus job skills — integrated courses for migrants
The National Tomorrow Learning Card
- A card that covers training costs.
- Some courses pay a training allowance while you study.
- There are eligibility rules, varying by visa status — check with 1350.
- Even if the card is not available, local governments, Family Centers and support centres for foreign workers run free courses.
Steps
- Search courses on HRD-Net (www.hrd.go.kr).
- Check card eligibility with the employment centre or 1350.
- Apply for the card.
- Choose a course and enrol. Popular courses fill early.
- Attend and complete it. Attendance is a condition of support.
- Sit the qualification exam.
- Ask for job placement support.
What you need
- Alien Registration Card
- Employment insurance history, if any
- A bank account
- Korean ability (depending on the course)
Where to go
- HRD-Net www.hrd.go.kr
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor
- Your employment centre
- Your local Family Center (courses for migrants)
- Your local support centre for foreign workers
- Saeil Centers
Questions people ask
Can foreign residents get the card? It depends on visa status. Check your own with 1350 and the employment centre. If not, other free courses exist.
My Korean is weak. Courses for migrants often use simplified Korean. Ask a Family Center.
Can I study while working? There are evening and weekend courses. Check the times when searching.
Do qualifications help my visa? They count towards E-7-4 conversion and the F-2 points system. See the e7-4-skilled-worker and f2-points-system guides.
Take care
Be wary of places promising "complete the course and a job and visa are guaranteed". Legitimate providers are registered on HRD-Net. Check with 1350 before paying a large sum to a private course.
Related
self-reliance-support · job-support-immigrant · e7-4-skilled-worker · f2-points-system
Source
Ministry of Employment and Labor HRD-Net www.hrd.go.kr / As of 2026-08