Working Visit (H-2) Visa — Eligibility, Permitted Industries, Stay and Reporting Guide
Based on Ministry of Justice manual (2026-09-01) · Translated from the Korean original.
Working Visit (H-2) is a status of stay that permits employment in industries specified in the manual. Employment is permitted only in an authorized industry and after the employer completes the prescribed procedures. After starting work, a report must be filed within the specified deadline.
At a glance
Who it is for
- People eligible for Working Visit (H-2-7) status who have re-entered Korea after departing upon expiration of their stay
- People who submitted proof of Korean-language proficiency to a Korean diplomatic mission abroad and were issued a Working Visit (H-2) visa
- People who were issued a Working Visit visa before September 2, 2019, or were staying in Korea under Working Visit status are exempt from submitting proof of Korean-language proficiency when applying for an extension of their period of stay.
What you can do
- Employment is permitted in designated industries specified in the manual in agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, manufacturing, and construction. Manufacturing is subject to restrictions based on requirements such as the size of the business, and some industrial and environmental facility construction businesses are excluded from construction.
- As a general rule, employment in service industries is permitted except in excluded industries. However, employment in some industries is permitted only for certain occupations or at certain businesses.
- An employer in a permitted industry may hire an H-2 overseas Korean only after making efforts to recruit Korean nationals and completing the confirmation of eligibility for special employment procedure.
- Within 15 days from the date employment begins, the H-2 status holder must file a report of commencement of employment, or the employer must file a report of commencement of work.
Period of stay
The excerpt does not specify an individual maximum period of stay for H-2. However, under the general rule for granting a period of stay, the period granted must fall within the passport’s validity period.
Applications & documents
Application for a Working Visit (H-2) visa
- Health Status Declaration
- Proof of Korean-language proficiency (if applicable)
Omitting information from or making false entries on the health status declaration may result in disadvantages, such as visa denial. The excerpt does not specify the visa fee.
Foreign resident registration
- Medical examination certificate issued by a government-designated hospital
If you intend to stay for 90 days or more after entering Korea, you must register within 90 days of entry. At the time of registration, you must complete basic legal order education designated by the government. The fee to issue or reissue an Alien Registration Card is KRW 35,000.
Permission to extend the period of stay
The excerpt does not specify the documents required for an H-2 extension application. The review fee is KRW 60,000. People who were issued a visa or were staying under H-2 before September 2, 2019, are exempt from submitting proof of Korean-language proficiency when applying for an extension.
Report of commencement of employment or report of commencement of work
The H-2 status holder or the employer must file a report within 15 days from the date employment begins. The excerpt does not specify the required documents or fee.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can I work in any industry on an H-2 visa?
No. In agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, manufacturing, and construction, only designated industries are permitted. Service industries are permitted except for excluded industries, but separate conditions apply to some industries.
Q. Do I have to file a report when I start working on an H-2 visa?
Yes. Within 15 days from the date you start work, the H-2 status holder must file a report of commencement of employment, or the employer must file a report of commencement of work.
Q. Can an employer hire an H-2 overseas Korean right away?
Even an employer in a permitted industry may hire an H-2 overseas Korean only after making efforts to recruit Korean nationals and obtaining confirmation of eligibility for special employment.
Q. Do I have to submit proof of Korean-language proficiency when extending my period of stay?
People who were issued a Working Visit visa before September 2, 2019, or were staying in Korea under H-2 status are exempt from submitting this document when applying for an extension. The excerpt does not provide all the detailed criteria that apply in other cases.
Q. What is the maximum period of stay for H-2?
The excerpt does not specify an individual maximum period of stay for H-2. Under the general rule, the period of stay is granted within the validity period of the passport.
Q. By when must I register as a foreign resident after entering Korea?
If you intend to stay for 90 days or more after entering Korea, you must register as a foreign resident within 90 days of entry. When applying for registration, you must submit a medical examination certificate issued by a government-designated hospital and complete basic legal order education.
Q. How much is the fee to extend the period of stay?
The review fee for permission to extend the period of stay is KRW 60,000. The fee to issue or reissue an Alien Registration Card is KRW 35,000.
Q. Do I have to report my occupation and income when extending my period of stay or changing my status of stay?
Foreigners with a status of stay that permits employment must report their occupation when registering as a foreign resident and applying for various permissions related to their stay. H-2 is also among the statuses of stay subject to annual income reporting; however, unlike Overseas Korean (F-4), the excerpt does not indicate that H-2 holders are exempt from reporting income.
Watch out for
- Whether employment is permitted may depend not only on the industry but also on industry-specific exceptions and conditions. For industries classified at the detailed classification level or below, the guide instructs applicants to check the Korean Standard Industrial Classification.
- Even when working in a permitted industry, the employer must make efforts to recruit Korean nationals and complete the confirmation of eligibility for special employment procedure.
- The H-2 status holder or the employer must file a report within 15 days from the date employment begins.
- Anyone staying for 90 days or more after entering Korea must register as a foreign resident within 90 days. Registration requires a medical examination certificate from a designated hospital and completion of basic legal order education.
Source
Compiled by AI from the Ministry of Justice "Visa Issuance Guide Manual" and "Residence Guide Manual" (HiKorea notice, in Korean). hikorea.go.kr
This is general guidance; the immigration office makes the final decision. Before applying, check the latest rules on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.