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H-1 — Working Holiday Visa (H-1)

Working Holiday

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–4 weeks

Estimated Cost

KRW ₩60,000

Stay Duration

1 year

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

One-year work and travel program for citizens aged 18–30 from 30+ countries including Australia, Canada, UK, and Japan.

The H-1 Working Holiday Visa enables cultural exchange between South Korea and 30 partner countries. qualifying young adults (18–30, some to 35) can combine tourism with part-time employment to fund their travels while experiencing Korean society, language, and culture. No traditional work visa restrictions apply.

Applicants must be citizens of partner countries with valid passport, KRW 3 million in funds, and health insurance. The visa permits one-year stays; only Canadians and Japanese citizens may extend for a second year. Spouses cannot work independently, and dependents are not permitted. Application fees are often waived or ~$60 USD; processing takes 5–21 days.

This visa is ideal for young adults from qualifying countries seeking an affordable way to live, work part-time, and travel throughout Korea.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1 year

Eligible Nationalities (30)

Andorra

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Czechia

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong SAR China Hungary

Hungary

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Latvia

Luxembourg

Netherlands

New Zealand Poland

Poland

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

South Korea

D-10 — Job Seeker Visa (D-10)

Validity6 months

Processing2–3 weeks

View Visa Details

South Korea

E-7 — Special Occupation Visa (E-7)

Validity3 years

Processing3–4 weeks

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Age 18–30 (varies by country, some up to 35)

Citizen of qualifying country (30+ bilateral agreements including AU, NZ, UK, FR, DE, IE, CA, JP, etc.)

Sufficient funds for initial stay (approx. KRW 3 million)

Return flight or funds

No dependents

Valid passport

Health insurance

No prior H-1 visa in Korea

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Savings

3,000,000 KRW

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (with at least 6-12 months validity).

Visa application form and passport-sized photo.

Proof of funds (e.g., recent bank statements).

Return flight itinerary or proof of funds for a return ticket.

Detailed travel plan/itinerary for the stay in Korea.

Criminal background check (if required by the consulate).

Medical/health certificate.

Proof of health insurance covering the entire duration of the stay.

Proof of academic qualification (e.g., university enrollment or graduation certificate).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Expanded to 30 qualifying countries via bilateral agreements (AU, NZ, UK, CA, JP, FR, DE, etc.)
Work authorization included—fund your travels through part-time employment
Fast processing: 7 calendar days minimum (Belgium), typically 2–4 weeks across consulates
Age 18–30 qualification with low barrier to entry; no job offer required
US citizens up to 18 months, Canadians up to 2 years, UK/Japan extend options
One-time opportunity designed for cultural exchange and life experience, not career
Minimal upfront costs; fees often free or ~$60 USD depending on nationality
Convertible to other Korean visas (D-10, E-7) after initial working holiday period

Worth Knowing

Processing time highly variable by consulate: 7 days (Belgium) vs 3–4 weeks (Seattle)
Spouse cannot work during your stay—dual-income household plans won't work
No dependents permitted; families or those with children need alternate visa class
Bilateral agreement limits mean not all nationalities can participate; qualification by country
Dependents not permitted—major barrier if you have children or dependents
Spouse has no work authorization—critical constraint for couples seeking joint employment
No expedited processing available; some consulates take 3–4 weeks regardless of urgency