All about the working holiday in South Korea!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 years old (with some exceptions)
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least KRW 3,000,000 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Minimum coverage is KRW 40,000,000
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
At the time of writing, South Korea has agreements with 26 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. You can see the full list on Korea’s official website.
US American applicants MUST be post-secondary students or recent graduates (within 1 year after graduation) in order to qualify.
03. Do I need to know Korean to apply?
No, there is no language requirement but the application form must be filled out in Korean or English.
04. How long can I stay in Korea?
Participants can stay up to 1 year.
There are exceptions for the following nationalities:
- American participants can extend their stay by 6 months.
- British participants can stay for up to 2 years.
- Canadian participants can stay for up to 4 years (2x 24 months).
05. Can I work as much as I want in Korea?
No. As a WHV holder, you are only authorized to work up to 25 hours per week. This rule does not apply to Canadians.
The total period of employment is also limited by nationality:
- Americans: no limit
- Australians: 6 months under same employer
- Belgians: 6 months
- British: no limit
- Canadians: no limit
- French: no limit
- Germans: no limit
- Irish: no limit
- New Zealanders: no limit
To check for all other nationalities, see Korea’s official website.
06. Can I leave and re-enter Korea anytime?
Yes. The Korea WHV is a multiple-entry visa, which means you can enter, leave, and re-enter as many times as you wish within its period of validity. However, you should apply for your residence card before doing international travel.
07. What documents are required for the application?
The following documents must be provided.
- Visa application form
- Valid passport and one passport photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
- Return flight ticket or evidence of financial ability to afford one
- Supporting financial documentation (e.g. a certified copy of bank statement)
- Health insurance that will remain valid throughout your stay in Korea (minimum coverage: KRW 40,000,000).
- Travel plans
- Application fee
- Criminal record check
- Medical certificate
- Proof of student status or the highest academic qualification
08. What is the visa application fee?
It varies by nationality and will be indicated by your Korean consulate, embassy, or KVAC (Korea Visa Application Center). To give you an idea, here are the fees for a few nationalities:
- British: €225 (+ €60 service fee)
- Canadians: CA$117
- French: €60 service fee only
- Belgians: €81
09. Where can I apply?
Exact instructions differ depending on where you are applying from. For example, British, French, Dutch, and German applications are processed by the KVAC (Korea Visa Application Center) while for all other nationalities, it is the Korean consulate or embassy. For all the steps you need to know, read our Korea WHV application guide.
10. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Korea and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don’t ask for a dime, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
Visa applications are never fun, but if you know what steps to anticipate, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
In our Korea WHV application guide, we walk through 1) applicant eligibility, 2) program description and rules, and 3) application steps. Be sure to read it in detail so you’re fully prepared.
- How to get a Korea WHV (Working Holiday Visa) – for all nationalities
- What is the Working Holiday Visa? How do I get one?
- Additional information for French and Belgian applicants (in French only)
As a part of your visa application, it is mandatory to purchase health insurance that will remain valid throughout your stay in Korea, and the minimum coverage is KRW 40,000,000. You should pick one that covers hospitalisation and repatriation (for travel back to your home country in case of serious illness).
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
Once you get to Korea, you can then apply for exemption from Korean public health insurance to avoid double paying. We walk through exactly how and when to do so in this article.
- How to request exemption from Korean public health insurance
- FAQs about working holiday travel insurance
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Korea’s currency is the Korean won (KRW, ₩). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a Korean debit card in hand before even arriving in Korea, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your KRW account would also allow you to send money to other Korean bank accounts, which could be useful in exchanges with your landlord, for example. You can either register from your home country or once you arrive in Korea. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then open a classic account once you arrive in Korea.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Korea before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
When you have stable (enough) housing, remember you must apply for a residence card and register your address within 90 days of your arrival!
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- South Korea WHV: How to apply for your residence card (fka ARC)
- Declaring changes in address while on a WHV in South Korea
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Korea, also check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our some other deals for working holiday makers.
All applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, with the following exceptions:
– Up to 35 years old: Canadians, British
– Up to 34 years old: Argentinians, Danish, Irish, Portuguese
– Up to 32 years old: French*
– Up to 25 years old: Japanese
*Temporarily increased from 30 years old, until December 31, 2024.
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday in Korea.
You must show savings of at least KRW 3,000,000 or the equivalent in another currency. This is to prove that you are able to support yourself upon arrival in Korea.
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Korea with a previous WHV, then you cannot apply again.
This does not apply to applications for an extension, which is available to American, British, and Canadian participants.
As a part of your visa application, you must provide proof of coverage by a private health insurance. The minimum coverage amount must be KRW 40,000,000. We recommend that you choose one that covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
Apply before the annual quota is reached. Korea sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of WHVs issued:
– Australians: unlimited
– Belgians: 200
– British: 5,000
– Canadians: 12,000
– French: 2,000
– Germans: unlimited
– Irish: 800
– New Zealanders: 3,000
For all other nationalities’ quotas, check Korea’s official website.