International students studying in Korea must obtain permission from the Korea Immigration Service to work part-time. At this time, not only the working hours and job types, but also the distance from the school to the workplace are subject to review.
"It's a bit far from home, but this should be fine, right?"
There are many cases where applications are rejected after applying like this. Here is a summary of the workplace distance conditions.
The primary purpose of a study abroad (D-2) visa is studying. Part-time employment is only allowed to the extent that it does not interfere with studies.
If the workplace is too far, you will spend all your time commuting to school and work, leading to a drop in attendance and grades. Moreover, including travel time, it becomes virtually equivalent to full-time employment. The distance restriction is a mechanism to maintain a balance between studying and working.
Job Type | Detailed explanation and job examples |
|---|---|
| Past (~ 2024) | Within a maximum of 90 minutes in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 60 minutes in provincial areas |
| Present (2025 ~) | No specific figures, only specified as "Restriction on long-distance work" |
The expression '90-minute distance' varies greatly in actual distance depending on whether it is by walking, public transportation, or private car. Since the travel time also varies depending on the time of day, uniform application was difficult.
Therefore, it is best to understand that it is currently operated as a discretionary review where the immigration officer evaluates and decides on individual cases. Please note that the old standards are still present on many university websites or blogs.
Since there are no clear numbers, you must judge for yourself based on common sense. The standard is simple.
"Can I commute to work without difficulty while attending classes normally during the semester?"
If it is a distance that you yourself feel is burdensome, the reviewing officer is highly likely to make the same judgment.
· Applying for work outside the administrative district (e.g., A student attending a university in Daejeon applying to a workplace in Seoul) · A location that requires multiple transfers on public transportation to reach |
The evaluation criteria during the semester and during vacations may be slightly different. Since this part can also vary depending on the reviewing officer, it is advisable to inquire in advance with the jurisdictional immigration office before signing an employment contract. However, to reduce this uncertainty, it is safer to avoid choosing jobs in ambiguous locations in the first place.
The distance standard has only lost its numerical value; the restriction itself has not disappeared. Rather, because there is no clear number, you must evaluate it more carefully.
Choosing a workplace within your living area. This is the surest way to safely receive permission for part-time employment. Please remember that having a history of rejection can work against you in future reviews.
