Can I change from D-10 (job seeking) to another visa status?

Yes, you can change from D-10 to another visa status. If you meet all the requirements of the status you want, apply for a change of status on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr). The most common path is to prepare for a job or a business while on D-10, and then change to that status once your goal is set.

Commonly changed statuses

• Employment statuses (E-1 to E-7): After you search for a job and sign an employment contract, change to the E status for that occupation. You need company documents and must meet the education and career requirements.
• Corporate investment (D-8, technology startup): If you prepared to found a corporation under the technology startup preparation status (D-10-2), change to D-8.
• Family and overseas Korean statuses, such as marriage migrant (F-6): You can change if you meet separate requirements, such as marriage. The requirements differ for each status.
• Study abroad (D-2): You can change once you are admitted to a school. You need documents such as the school's admission letter.

Application steps

1. Check the requirements and documents for the status you want. You can see them on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr).
2. Apply before your period of stay ends. Apply on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or at the immigration office with jurisdiction over your area (출입국·외국인관서).
3. The fee for a change of status is 100,000 KRW. For a change to permanent residence (F-5), the fee is 200,000 KRW.

⚠️ Points to note

• Do not start work for the new status before it is approved. D-10 is a job-seeking status, not an employment status.
• The D-10 period of stay is up to 6 months at a time. You must apply before it ends.
• Approval may be restricted if you received a departure order in the last 3 years, or if your fines and notice-based penalties (통고처분) add up to more than 2,000,000 KRW.
• Approval may also be restricted if you applied for a D-10 change 3 or more times within 3 years without fully leaving Korea even once.

Tell me which status you want to change to, and I will explain the documents for that status in more detail. Check the exact requirements once more on HiKorea or by calling 1345.