South Korea working holiday visa (H-1)

This page is for citizens of Hong Kong and the United States interested in South Korea’s Working Holiday Program (H-1 visa). The program is open to applicants aged 18 to 30. The visa allows you to enter South Korea within 12 months of its issuance, though the entry window for Hong Kong applicants is 3 months. To apply, you need a passport with at least 6 months’ validity and 2 blank pages, a round-trip ticket, and proof of funds.

Some work is restricted. You cannot work in adult entertainment, as a performer, in licensed professions like medicine or law, or as a foreign language teacher. You can study the Korean language, but not a degree program. Dependants cannot accompany you. The application fee is listed as $80 for some nationalities, while for others like France and Japan there is no fee. The data does not specify the fee for Hong Kong or United States applicants.

Program

Working Holiday Program (H-1 visa)

Passports listed

2

Age ranges

18 to 30

General rules

• Enter Korea within 12 months of visa issuance (the Hong Kong program uses a 3-month entry window).
• No set time limit with one employer, but some jobs are excluded: adult entertainment, performing as a dancer, singer, musician or acrobat, licensed professions (for example medicine, law, professor, pilot), foreign language teaching (needs an E-2 visa), journalism, religion, academic research and technical instruction.
• Korean language study is possible; degree study needs a student (D-2) visa.
• The Korean consulate lists $80 for Australia, Canada and New Zealand applicants, and no fee for France and Japan.
• Dependants cannot accompany you.
• Passport with at least 6 months' validity and 2 blank pages, photo, application form, round-trip ticket, proof of funds, a trip plan, and depending on nationality academic records, a criminal record check or a medical exam.

Passports accepted: Working Holiday Program (H-1 visa)

What stands out

Unlike many other working holiday programs, the entry window after visa issuance is shorter for some nationalities. While most applicants have 12 months to enter South Korea, applicants from Hong Kong must enter within 3 months. The data also specifies that certain professions, including foreign language teaching, are not permitted on the H-1 visa and require a different visa type. While fees are listed for some countries, such as $80 for Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the specific cost for United States and Hong Kong applicants is not mentioned in the provided data.

How to apply, step by step

1. Contact the Korean embassy or consulate that covers where you live and check its current document list.
2. Prepare your passport, photo, form, round-trip ticket, proof of funds, trip plan and any academic, police or medical records asked of your nationality.
3. Submit the application; you may be asked for more documents or an interview.