Part-Time Work in Korea for Foreigners (2025): A Practical, Rules-First Guide

1) First check: are you allowed to work?

1.1 Student visas (D-2, D-4)

• You must secure a part-time work permit from immigration (often via your university) before you start. (gsc.korea.ac.kr)

• Typical caps during semesters: up to 20 hours/week for undergrads and language-course students; up to 30 hours for graduate students (varies by school language level policies). Weekend/holiday limits may be looser once language thresholds are met. Always check your school’s current notice. (인하대학교)

• Some universities reflect immigration practice where higher TOPIK/KIIP levels unlock higher weekday limits, and weekend/holiday hours can be unlimited when language thresholds are met (permit still required). (Official Website of the)

Why this matters: the competitor post says “get permission” but gives no hours or language thresholds. Here you have concrete caps and examples with sources.

1.2 Working Holiday (H-1)

• Lets you live in Korea about 1 year and do short-term work as a secondary purpose. Country-specific extensions exist. Call 1345 for details. (whic.mofa.go.kr)

• Some guidance mentions a 1,300-hour annual cap; treat that as a compliance guardrail and confirm with immigration for your nationality. (globalworkandtravel.com)

1.3 F-series (F-2, F-4, F-6)

• Broad freedom to work without extra permission, subject to general law and licensing. (법무부)

1.4 E-series (e.g., E-2, E-7)

• Employment is tied to your sponsor. Side jobs usually not allowed unless immigration approves an additional workplace. Confirm first. (법무부)

2) Quick table: common visas and typical part-time permissions

Rules change. Always confirm with your school’s OIA and immigration (1345). As of 2025-09-29.

3) How much will you earn?

• National minimum wage (2025): 10,030 KRW/hour (daily 80,240; monthly 2,096,270 on 209 hours). Effective 2025-01-01. (최저임금위원회)

• Weekly paid holiday (주휴수당): Workers get at least one paid weekly holiday on average; this benefit generally does not apply if your average weekly contractual hours are <15 over 4 weeks. (법제처)

[Assumption] USD display: if shown, this guide assumes 1 USD = 1,350 KRW for quick mental math. Adjust to your bank’s rate.

4) Where to actually find jobs

• Seoul Global Center job board and city resources often list foreigner roles and job fairs. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

• Albamon (알바몬), Alba천국 (알바천국) list massive volumes of part-time roles (mostly Korean UI). (Go! Go! Hanguk)

• Local university career pages (OIA/Global centers) carry on-campus roles and admin internships. (gsc.korea.ac.kr)

• Look for signs like “알바 구함” or “직원 모집.” Ask politely in Korean; bring a 1-page résumé. (Language tip below.)

Competitor gap: they mention sites but don’t warn about Korean-only interfaces or give the phrases to look for on doors. You now have both.

5) Getting the permit (students)

1. Get the “Confirmation of Part-Time Work for Foreign Students” form from your OIA. (gsc.korea.ac.kr)

2. Prepare transcript/attendance, ARC/passport, employer business registration, and a basic contract. (engforeign.wsu.ac.kr)

3. Apply via HiKorea or in person; pay the small fee. Follow the date, place, and hour limits on your permit. (engforeign.wsu.ac.kr)

6) Pay, payslips, and your rights (short list)

• At least 10,030 KRW/hour in 2025. Keep digital or paper records of shifts. (최저임금위원회)

• If you average ≥15 hours/week over 4 weeks, confirm weekly paid holiday eligibility with payroll. (HR & Labor Portal)

• Problems (late pay, unfair dismissal)? Call MOEL 1350 (English menu available; overseas +82-52-702-5089). (고용24)

7) Resume and interview: what’s different in Korea

• Photo on résumé is common; basic personal details and visa status help managers triage. Keep it clean and 1–2 pages. (위키백과)

• Expect bilingual interviews. Prepare a 30-second Korean self-intro and a polite way to switch to English if needed. (engforeign.wsu.ac.kr)

8) Job ideas that match real demand

• Hospitality/retail in tourist zones that value English, Japanese, or Chinese.

• Front desk/guesthouse roles near hubs; bilingual advantage.

• Campus roles (library, labs, proofreading). University boards update often. (gsc.korea.ac.kr)

Context: International student numbers in Korea exceeded 270,000 on 2025-09-01, and some reports say 300,000 by 2025-09-23. Demand for multilingual staff rises with this base. Always check the latest count. (X (formerly Twitter))

9) Culture and shift etiquette (what managers expect)

• Punctuality and politeness matter. Mirror formality; use honorifics with seniors. (고용24)

• Participate in team meals (회식) if invited, even briefly; it helps integration. (고용24)

10) Red flags and safe practices

• Never pay a “recruitment fee.” Reputable employers pay agencies, not you.

• Tourist status means no work. Don’t risk future entry for a quick gig. (법무부)

• When in doubt, call 1350 (English support) for labor questions, or 1345 for immigration. (고용24)

Appendix A — Glossary (for translation clarity)

• Jeonse (전세): Large deposit, minimal monthly rent.

• Banjeonse (반전세): Mid-sized deposit plus reduced monthly rent.

• Management fee (관리비): Monthly building/utility fee; ask what’s included.

• Weekly paid holiday (주휴수당): Paid weekly rest if your average hours meet the threshold. (HR & Labor Portal)

Appendix B — Sources (selected)

• Minimum wage (2025): Minimum Wage Council (KR official). (최저임금위원회)

• Weekly paid holiday rule: Labor Standards Act Art. 55; practice thresholds summarized by labor law references. (법제처)

• Student work permits and hours: Korea Univ GSC; Woosong Univ; Incheon Nat’l Univ; Seoul Metro student-visa brief. (gsc.korea.ac.kr)

• Working Holiday basics and contacts: WHIC (MFA); MOEL contact. (whic.mofa.go.kr)

• International student numbers (date-stamped press): Korea JoongAng Daily posts from 2025-09. (X (formerly Twitter))

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