On this publish, I’ll clarify every thing you want to learn about acquiring a working vacation visa in Korea. 

From mouth-watering BBQ dishes to jaw-dropping surroundings and landscapes, South Korea is a perfect vacation spot for vacationers of all ages. Whether or not you’re soaking in the neon metropolis lights of Seoul or climbing the snow-capped peaks of the Taebaek Mountains, journey awaits you in the Land of the Morning Calm.

It additionally occurs to be one of the vital fascinating locations for a working vacation. Korea attracts younger vacationers keen to spend extra than simply a brief journey getting to know its wealthy 5,000-year-old historical past and tradition.

On this information, I’ll cowl who can apply for a working vacation in Korea, what to anticipate, and the way to land the proper job. Should you’re in this once-in-a-lifetime expertise, then look no additional!

What’s a Working Holiday in Korea?

On a working vacation visa, you’ll give you the option to journey, stay, and work in South Korea. Though you’ll have the chance to earn a living, the first goal of your go to must be to journey. This is a superb alternative for younger vacationers who need to expertise firsthand what a totally different nation and tradition is like.

Working vacation contributors are additionally allowed to work in order to complement their journey funds. And if you need to go to faculty or examine throughout your time overseas, you are able to do that as effectively. Many contributors are allowed to examine Korean for a sure variety of months on their visa.

If accepted into this system, you’ll be issued an H-1 visa. This working vacation visa is legitimate for 12 months, which suggests you’ve got one full 12 months to journey and work in South Korea. Nevertheless, US residents are in a position to obtain an 18-month visa.

Better of all, you don’t want a formal job provide in order to come to Korea on a working vacation visa. You possibly can search for employment when you arrive, in any metropolis that sparks your curiosity.

Should you’re prepared to journey the world and expertise a new tradition, then a working vacation in Korea is perhaps the proper choice for you!

☞ SEE ALSO: How To Get a Working Holiday Visa Worldwide

Who’s Eligible for a Working Holiday in Korea?

To take part in the working vacation program, you have to be a citizen from a nation with a bilateral working vacation settlement with South Korea.

Korea has this settlement with 25 nations, together with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. An entire checklist of collaborating nations will be discovered on the Korean Ministry of International Affairs web site.

You additionally want to be between the ages of 18 and 30. Nevertheless, this age restriction is inclusive, which suggests you may apply anytime earlier than you flip 31 years outdated.

To use for the working vacation program, you will need to show you’ve got enough funds in your checking account. You want to have funds equal to KRW 3,000,000 ($2,500), in addition to a return airfare or cash to buy a return flight.

Some nations would possibly require background checks, which suggests you can not have any prison historical past or vital well being points. Lastly, you will need to have medical insurance throughout your total working vacation keep.

☞ SEE ALSO: How To Get a Working Holiday Visa in Germany

How Do I get a Working Holiday in Korea?

The utility is comparatively simple. Every nation has its personal utility course of and necessities, following the identical pointers beneath.

It’s necessary to observe that candidates should apply from inside their residence nation. Nevertheless, Australians are additionally allowed to apply for this system from Japan (Tokyo), China (Beijing, Shanghai), Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Hold in thoughts that there isn’t any on-line utility system. Subsequently, functions have to be despatched in the mail or instantly to the embassy.

Listed here are the steps to take for acquiring a working vacation visa in Korea:

See if Your Nation has a Visa Quota

Some nations solely have a set variety of working vacation visas to distribute every year. As soon as the quota has been crammed, you’ll now not give you the option to apply for the visa. You need to wait till the next 12 months to re-apply.

Canada has 4,000 visas, New Zealand has 3,000, the UK has 1,000, and the US has 2,000. Australia, however, has a limiteless variety of working vacation visas.

Complete the Visa Software Kind

The next move is to full the visa utility type. Fill out your private info, schooling, work expertise, and particulars of your meant go to. Additionally, you will want to present monetary info in your keep in Korea, together with your anticipated journey and lodging prices.

The utility type will be discovered right here. Keep in mind to print and fill out the knowledge utilizing Korean, or English block letters.

Write a Journey Plan

All working vacation candidates are required to submit a journey plan together with their utility. On this journey plan, you’ll define your motivation for coming to Korea and your goal with a working vacation.

Within the journey plan, embrace the place you propose to keep, what sort of labor you’re in search of, and some other actions you need to take part in throughout your time in Korea. The extra info you present, the extra convincing your utility will probably be to the native authorities.

Collect All Mandatory Paperwork

To use for the H-1 visa, you want to be sure to have the next paperwork and knowledge:

• A accomplished and signed visa utility type
• Journey plan
• Passport with six months validity left
• Proof of medical insurance (with KRW 40,000,000 minimal protection)
• Proof of enough funds (like a printed financial institution assertion)
• Well being examine **solely required for some nations**
• Prison background examine **solely required for some nations**
• Self-addressed pre-paid postage for return (if making use of by mail)
• Visa utility payment (between $45-80 relying on nationality)

Please seek the advice of together with your native embassy to verify the precise necessities wanted to apply for the working vacation visa.

Submit Software

There are two choices for submitting your working vacation utility. You possibly can both ship it by the mail or ship it in individual to the embassy in your private home nation. Some embassies require that you just make an appointment forward of time, whereas others settle for walk-ins.

As soon as the docs are submitted, the immigration officer will decide if you happen to meet the eligibility standards for an H-1 working vacation visa. Should you’ve been accepted into this system, you’ll obtain your passport together with your one-year (or 18-month) visa for Korea.

Usually talking, the visa processing time is round one to two weeks. Since processing occasions fluctuate between embassies, you may examine the precise wait time on their web sites. Hold in thoughts that this timeframe could also be longer if you happen to ship your utility in the mail because you want to take supply time under consideration.

When you get your visa, it’s time to have a good time and begin planning in your journey to Korea!

How Do I Begin Working on My Working Holiday Visa in Korea?

After you guide your flight, pack your luggage, and say goodbye to your folks, you’ll be in your method to Korea in no time. Beginning a new journey in Korea is thrilling, however don’t neglect to full the next steps earlier than you begin working in your working vacation visa.

Register with the Authorities

When you land in Korea, you’ve got exactly 90 days to register with the closest immigration workplace. You’ll then obtain a foreigner’s card, which is important to legally work and open a checking account. The foreigner’s card is the one most necessary doc it’s best to have throughout your working vacation.

Appointments have to be booked on-line and in advance. Carry the next paperwork on the day of your scheduled appointment:

• Legitimate passport
• Accomplished utility type (Obtainable at Korea Immigration Middle)
• A payment of 30,000 KRW ($25)
• Journey plans
• Housing Contract Doc
• 1 Picture, dimension 3.5×4.5cm with a white background

Throughout your appointment, the immigration officer will take your fingerprints and assessment your paperwork. After three or 4 weeks, you may return to the workplace to decide up your registration card. Hold this card on you always!

Open a Financial institution Account

A Korean checking account is required if you need to receives a commission in your work throughout your working vacation. The excellent news is that opening a checking account may be very straightforward in Korea.

First, select the department you’d like to financial institution with. To open an account, you solely want your passport and international residence card. Better of all, opening a checking account is solely free.

What Sort of Work Can You Do On a Working Holiday in Korea?

On a working vacation visa, you may work in nearly any sort of job. Nevertheless, you can not work in a expert career, like a physician, pilot, athlete, or entertainer. It’s additionally necessary to observe that you just can’t educate English on a working vacation visa. If you want to educate English, you will need to apply for an E2 visa.

You’re additionally not allowed to work full-time, because the H-1 states you may solely work a most of 1,300 hours for the 12 months.

Relying in your nationality, there could also be limitations in your size of employment. For instance, Australians are solely allowed to work six months with the identical employer. Then again, New Zealand, Canadian, UK, and US residents can work for a similar employer during their visa.

When it comes to discovering work in Korea, the next industries have the most important alternatives for working vacation contributors.

Hospitality

Attracting tens of millions of vacationers every year, Korea is among the most visited nations in Asia. With tourism steadily rising, hostels, inns, and resorts are at all times in search of English talking employees. Being bilingual is useful as effectively, because you’ll give you the option to work together with a number of company and vacationers.

Within the hospitality business, you may work in entrance desk or reception, as a concierge helper, a tour information, and even as a bellhop. In case you have interpersonal abilities and love working with individuals, then a job in the hospitality business could possibly be for you.

Au Pair

As an Au Pair, you’re answerable for childcare and different home duties in your host household. Meaning watching youngsters, making ready meals, and taking good care of different duties and chores round the home. Not solely is that this a wonderful choice for individuals who love youngsters, however it’s additionally a wonderful method to stay like a native throughout your keep.

One of many largest advantages of working as an Au Pair is that your host household gives your lodging. In lots of conditions, your loved ones will present room, utilities, and meals throughout your keep. On high of that, you’ll additionally get a month-to-month wage and versatile days off throughout your working vacation.

Retail and Service Business

In case you have a working data of Korean, you would possibly give you the option to work in the retail or service business throughout your time overseas. Whether or not you’re a barista in town heart of Seoul, a waiter in a world restaurant in Busan, or a bartender in the center of Incheon, you’ll haven’t any downside discovering obtainable alternatives in Korea.

Like some other customer-facing positions, having the ability to converse Korean will considerably enhance your possibilities of being employed.

Workplace Jobs

With the correct ability set, you may simply land an workplace job in Korea. Giant firms like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai are positioned in Korea, and are normally hiring English audio system or international nationals.

Should you select to work for a world firm, you may also get away with out talking any Korean. Many worldwide firms do enterprise with different nations, making English the default language. However bear in mind, you may’t work fulltime, as your visa solely permits a most of 1,300 working hours throughout your keep.

The place Can I discover Working Holiday Jobs?

One of many largest advantages of a working vacation in South Korea is that you just don’t want an official job provide to apply to this system. You possibly can safe a job when you arrive. Listed here are a few methods to assist jumpstart your job search in Korea.

Korean Job Websites for Expats

The easiest method to discover a job in Korea is by wanting on-line. There are a number of job websites that cater to international or English audio system. A number of fashionable websites in Korea are Seoul World Middle and Contact Korea. You possibly can even take a look at the Seoul Metropolitan Authorities for obtainable English talking jobs.

Different On-line Websites

Should you can’t discover what you’re in search of on a Korean web site, then I like to recommend different fashionable job websites, like Linkedin, Glassdoor, and Certainly. On these websites, you may filter postings by location, abilities, and even full time or part-time work.

Recruitment Facilities

Working with a recruitment company is one other glorious choice for locating a job in Korea. Corporations like HRNetOne Manpower Korea specialize in serving to international and English talking nationals discover work.

Based mostly in your expertise and resume, the recruiter will match you with a appropriate job. One of many largest advantages of working with a recruitment company is that they’re conscious of job postings that aren’t obtainable on-line. Not to point out, they will join you instantly with the precise firm!

Disadvantages of the Working Holiday Program in Korea

Between the large cities and the sprawling countryside, Korea is brimming with thrilling adventures round each nook. Nevertheless, the nation shouldn’t be for everybody. Earlier than you make your method to the far east, there are a few downsides of a working vacation in Korea that you have to be conscious of.

Talking Korean Is perhaps Mandatory

Having the ability to converse and perceive Korean will increase your possibilities of touchdown a job throughout your working vacation. Not solely will talking Korean make you extra interesting to future employers, however it is going to additionally make your every day life a lot simpler. Most companies, eating places and retail retailers function in Korean, and having a grasp of the language will solely make your working vacation extra pleasing.

Housing Market is Aggressive

Discovering lodging in Korea, particularly in Seoul, will be troublesome. Not solely is the demand for an residence excessive, however it will also be laborious to discover one thing inside your required value vary. Flats are even tougher to discover in February and August when many college students return from their summer season breaks to begin faculty.

Educating English is Not an Possibility

In contrast to different working vacation applications, you aren’t allowed to educate English on an H-1 visa in Korea. This eliminates many job alternatives for non-Korean audio system, as instructing English is among the most typical positions for backpackers and vacationers. In case your purpose is to educate English, you have to to apply for the E2 visa.

Stress to Work Will be Excessive

Korea ranks third when it comes to lengthy working hours. The line between work and every day life is usually blurred, with many individuals working additional time or late into the night time. Though you can not work full-time on a working vacation visa, it’s a good concept to perceive the tradition of the office. It is going to doubtless be extra demanding than a job that you just maintain again in your private home nation.

What Can I Count on from the Working Holiday Program in Korea?

To many vacationers, spending a 12 months on a working vacation in Korea is a incredible expertise. However similar to some other nation, there are a few distinctive conditions you have to be conscious of. These are simply a few issues to anticipate whereas touring and dealing in Korea.

Foreigners Can Apply for the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage

You’re required to have medical insurance earlier than you apply for the working vacation program. Nevertheless, you can even apply for Korea’s Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage or NHIS. Candidates dwelling in Korea for longer than three months can make the most of this medical insurance. As a member of NHIS, you’ll get pleasure from the identical well being advantages as each different Korean native.

You Should Pay Revenue Tax

All workers in Korea, together with working vacation contributors, should pay revenue tax. The amount of cash you owe will rely in your wage throughout your time in Korea. You must also file an annual tax return, which will be finished earlier than or after you allow Korea.

Nevertheless, the tax is usually low, particularly if you happen to’re incomes an entry-level wage. Simply bear in mind to preserve these prices in thoughts when discovering a job and dealing in Korea.

Be Ready for Tradition Shock

Should you come from a western nation, you’ll doubtless encounter a number of cultural variations between your private home nation and Korea. As an illustration, it’s necessary to acknowledge that Korea is a hierarchical society, which suggests you’re anticipated to respect your elders in addition to your work superiors. Earlier than you go to Korea, it’s a good concept to assessment social etiquette guidelines and customs to assist ease your transition to this new nation.

Make Associates and Construct Relationships

As a foreigner, you would possibly discover it troublesome to break into already present social circles with locals. As a consequence, you would possibly really feel lonely or homesick throughout your time in Korea. Don’t fear; this sense is a completely regular response to transferring to a new nation and may put on off when you get extra settled.

The most effective methods to really feel extra at residence in Korea is to make mates. There are literally thousands of expats, college students, and different like-minded vacationers which are in your actual state of affairs. Don’t be afraid to be a part of meetups, Fb teams, and even to strike up a pleasant dialog with somebody you’re sitting subsequent to on the bus or in the cafe!

Closing Ideas

A working vacation in Korea is a incredible alternative for younger vacationers. Not solely will you give you the option to immerse your self in Korean tradition, however you’ll additionally achieve invaluable expertise working internationally. And on high of that, you’ll meet new individuals and type long-lasting relationships for years to come.

Residence to dramatic landscapes, historical tradition, and high-tech metropolis life, Korea is among the most numerous locations on the planet. With a working vacation visa, you may expertise all of it first-hand, whereas making some extra cash on the facet.

Should you’re wanting to step exterior your consolation zone and see a new facet of the world, then Korea is the perfect vacation spot in your working vacation. However don’t simply take our phrase for it. Apply for a working vacation and see for your self!

Photos in this publish are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.

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