Working Holiday
관광취업 (워킹홀리데이) — Working Holiday (short-term travel + work). A ‘try Korea’ pathway for young people from countries that have a working-holiday agreement with Korea; combines tourism, limited work, and study.
At a glance
Nationals of a country (or region) that has a working-holiday agreement with Korea (about 28 countries/regions, plus the UK under its Youth Mobility Scheme).
Usually up to 12 months (one year). Varies by country: e.g. U.S. participants up to 18 months; UK Youth Mobility Scheme up to 2 years.
Work is allowed, but total annual work hours cannot exceed 1,300 hours.
No Korean-language requirement.
Fee: Varies by country. Often free (single-entry) on a reciprocal basis under the agreement; some missions charge a fee (e.g. about USD 45 for U.S. applicants). A standard single-entry Korean visa fee is roughly KRW 60,000, but the actual amount is set by each mission/agreement. · Time: About 3-4 weeks (varies by mission; no expedited service in some consulates).
Where this fits in your journey
Before arrival
Get admitted, prepare documents, apply.
During study
ARC, extensions, permits while in Korea.
After graduation
Job-seeking and work visas.
Settlement
Long-term residence and PR.
Who can apply
- ✓Nationals of a country (or region) that has a working-holiday agreement with Korea (about 28 countries/regions, plus the UK under its Youth Mobility Scheme).
- ✓Country-restricted: if your country has no agreement, you cannot apply.
- ✓Typical age at time of visa application is 18-30.
- ✓Some countries differ: Japan is 18-25 (up to 30 in special cases); Canada and the UK (YMS) allow up to 35; several countries allow up to 34-35.
- ✓Normally once-in-a-lifetime, but nationals of the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and Sweden may apply again even if they took part before.
- ✓Usually must be applying mainly for a holiday (work is a secondary activity), have no accompanying dependents, and hold a valid passport.
- ✓Exact age, quota, and conditions are set by each country’s bilateral agreement.
Documents you'll need
- Completed visa application form
- passport valid 6+ months
- passport photo
- activity/travel plan
- proof of a return ticket or enough funds to buy one
- proof of financial means for the stay (e.g. about KRW 3,000,000 for U.S. applicants)
- health/travel insurance covering the stay (e.g. minimum KRW 40,000,000 coverage for U.S. applicants)
- criminal record / police clearance certificate
- medical certificate
- for some countries (e.g. U.S.) proof of student status or recent graduation. Exact document list and amounts vary by country and by the Korean mission where you apply.
How to apply
- Overseas embassy visa (사증) only — apply in person at a Korean mission abroad before travel; H-1 is not eligible for a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서), so there is no domestic issuance route.
- Apply in person at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country (overseas mission).
- H-1 is not eligible for a Visa Issuance Certificate (사증발급인정서) obtained from inside Korea, so it must be applied for abroad before travelling.
- Quota-limited countries may open applications in rounds or by lottery (e.g.
- Ireland uses a random draw).
Stay & extension
Usually up to 12 months (one year). Varies by country: e.g.
U.S. participants up to 18 months; UK Youth Mobility Scheme up to 2 years.
Generally the stay cannot be extended beyond the period set in the bilateral agreement; the exact rule depends on the country’s agreement. (unverified for specific countries)
Working on this visa
Work is allowed, but total annual work hours cannot exceed 1,300 hours. This can be used flexibly (e.g. work up to 1,300 hours in 6 months then travel/study the rest, or about 25 hours per week over 12 months).
Prohibited work: adult-entertainment (유흥) businesses (hostess, dancer, singer, musician, performer); licensed professional jobs (doctor, lawyer, professor, pilot); foreign-language teaching (requires changing to an E-2 visa); journalism; and other jobs that require a specific work visa or violate the agreement or Korean law.
Requirements in detail
No Korean-language requirement.
Proof of funds required, amount set by each mission — e.g. about KRW 3,000,000 for US applicants — plus a return ticket or funds to buy one.
Set per bilateral agreement and differs by country; many partner countries have annual caps (e.g. UK Youth Mobility Scheme 5,000/year).
Country-specific figures should be confirmed at WHIC (whic.mofa.go.kr).
No ministry employment endorsement; eligibility is governed by the bilateral working-holiday agreement (administered by MOFA / the Overseas Koreans Agency (재외동포청)).
Not applicable — H-1 enters on a visa, so K-ETA (the visa-free entry authorization) is not used.
Sub-types
No formal sub-codes; the UK participates via the Youth Mobility Scheme (up to 2 years, age up to 35, quota 5,000) instead of a standard working-holiday agreement.
No accompanying dependents allowed under H-1.
Applies — H-1 holders who complete foreigner registration and hold an ARC can issue the mobile Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) (from 2025-01-10).
2025–2026 policy updates
- Korea-Brazil working holiday agreement entered into force on 2025-09-25, adding Brazil as an agreement country (third in South America after Chile and Argentina).
- UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS): from 2024 the annual quota was raised to 5,000 and the age limit eased to 35 (still in effect for 2025-2026).
- Partner-country count as of 2025-2026 is about 28 (working-holiday agreements) plus the UK (YMS).
- Country-specific inbound quotas, ages, and documents change periodically; re-verify with the relevant Korean mission or WHIC before applying.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any nationality qualifies — H-1 is only for agreement-country nationals.
- Exceeding the 1,300-hour annual work cap.
- Taking prohibited jobs (adult entertainment, teaching English, licensed professions) without the correct visa.
- Applying more than once where the once-in-a-lifetime rule applies (U.S., Canada, Ireland, Sweden are exceptions).
- Assuming you can apply from inside Korea — you must apply at a Korean mission abroad.
Where this leads
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