Annyeonghaseyo! Hello everyone.
If you’ve landed on this page, you are probably dreaming of strolling through the neon-lit streets of Seoul, hiking the mountains of Gangwon-do, or perhaps experiencing life in the bustling port city of Busan. The Korean wave (Hallyu) has brought the incredible culture, food, and energy of Korea to the world, and now you want to experience it firsthand.
I know exactly how you feel.
Way back in 2012, I packed my entire life into two suitcases and boarded a one-way flight to Vancouver for my own Working Holiday in Canada. I remember the mix of overwhelming excitement and terrifying nervousness. I remember staring at endless government websites, confused about paperwork, and wondering if I was making the right decision.
Looking back, that year was one of the best decisions of my life. It shaped who I am today.
Now, as a Korean, I want to help you have that same life-changing experience in my home country. The Korean Working Holiday (H-1 Visa) is your ticket to living like a local, traveling the peninsula, and funding your adventures along the way.
Here is everything you need to know to get started on your Korean journey.
What is the Korean Working Holiday (H-1) Visa?
The H-1 Visa allows young people from participating countries to stay in South Korea for up to one year (usually 12 months) with the primary purpose of traveling and experiencing the culture. The unique benefit is that it also allows you to work legally part-time to supplement your travel funds.
It is crucial to remember the “Holiday” part comes first. This visa is not meant for building a long-term career in Korea; it is meant for cultural exchange and adventure.
Are You Eligible? The Basic Requirements
Korea currently has Working Holiday agreements with over 25 countries (including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many European nations).
While specific requirements can vary slightly depending on your nationality, these are the general eligibility standards you must meet:
- Nationality: You must hold a valid passport from a country that has a Working Holiday agreement with South Korea.
- Age: You are generally between the ages of 18 and 30 (inclusive) at the time of application.
- Note: Some countries may have different age limits (e.g., sometimes up to 25 or 35 based on bilateral agreements), so always check your specific country’s rules.
- Dependents: You cannot bring any dependents (spouse or children) with you on this visa.
- Previous Participation: You must not have participated in the Korean Working Holiday program before.
- Financial Proof: You must prove you have enough funds to support yourself initially. This usually means showing bank statements with a minimum balance (often around KRW 3,000,000 to 5,000,000, or roughly $2,500 – $4,000 USD), plus a return flight ticket or enough money to buy one.
- Health Insurance: You must have comprehensive health insurance that covers you for the entire duration of your stay in Korea, including hospitalization and repatriation.
- Criminal Record: You usually need to provide a police certificate proving you have no criminal record.
- Primary Intention: Your main reason for coming must be travel, not work or study.
The list of countries are as below
| The list of country for Working Holiday Korea (H1-VISA) |
| 🇮🇹 이탈리아 (Italy) |
| 🇬🇧 영국 (UK) |
| 🇨🇦 캐나다 (Canada) |
| 🇦🇺 호주 (Australia) |
| 🇳🇿 뉴질랜드 (New Zealand) |
| 🇯🇵 일본 (Japan) |
| 🇫🇷 프랑스 (France) |
| 🇩🇪 독일 (Germany) |
| 🇮🇪 아일랜드 (Ireland) |
| 🇪🇸 스페인 (Spain) |
| 🇳🇱 네덜란드 (Netherlands) |
| 🇧🇪 벨기에 (Belgium) |
| 🇵🇹 포르투갈 (Portugal) |
| 🇩🇰 덴마크 (Denmark) |
| 🇸🇪 스웨덴 (Sweden) |
| 🇦🇹 오스트리아 (Austria) |
| 🇨🇿 체코 (Czechia) |
| 🇭🇺 헝가리 (Hungary) |
| 🇵🇱 폴란드 (Poland) |
| 🇹🇼 대만 (Taiwan) |
| 🇭🇰 홍콩 (Hong Kong) |
| 🇺🇸 미국 (USA / WEST 프로그램) |
| 🇦🇷 아르헨티나 (Argentina) |
| 🇨🇱 칠레 (Chile) |
| 🇮🇱 이스라엘 (Israel) |
| 🇦🇩 안도라 (Andorra) |
| 🇸🇲 산마리노 (San Marino) |
How to Apply: The Steps to Success
The most important thing to know is that you must apply for the H-1 visa at a Korean Embassy or Consulate outside of Korea, usually in your home country. You cannot simply arrive in Korea as a tourist and switch to this visa.
The General Process:
- Check Your Local Embassy Website: Find the website of the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country. This is your “bible.” Their specific requirements override general advice.
- Gather Documents: This usually includes the visa application form, valid passport, passport-sized photo, proof of funds (bank statements), travel itinerary/plan, health insurance policy, and criminal background check.
- Submit Your Application: Depending on the embassy, you may need to make an appointment to submit documents in person, or you might be able to mail them.
- Wait and Prepare: Processing times vary from a week to a month. Use this time to start learning Hangul (the Korean alphabet)!
When to Apply: Application Periods & Quotas
This is tricky, as it depends entirely on your country.
- Open Year-Round: For many countries, applications are open all year until the annual quota is filled.
- Specific Intake Periods: Some countries have very high demand and specific application windows that open once or twice a year. These quotas can fill up fast (sometimes within hours!).
Crucial Tip: Do not guess. Check your country’s Korean Embassy website today to see the current status of their Working Holiday quota for this year.
Where to Find Official Information
Never rely solely on blogs (even this one!) for final visa regulations. Rules change frequently. Always verify details with official government sources.
Here are the essential websites you need:
- Your Local Korean Embassy/Consulate: Search Google for “Korean Embassy in [Your Country] Working Holiday.” This is the most important source for your specific application procedures.
- Hi Korea (Immigration Contact Center): This is the official government portal for foreigners living in Korea. It has general information on visa types.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Republic of Korea: Provides general information on visa issuance.
- Korean Visa Portal https://visa.go.kr/
Visa Application Manual by Status: Working Holiday (H-1)
here is translation to English from Korean,
Important Considerations & Reality Checks
As someone who has navigated life in a new country, here are a few things you need to keep in mind before you land at Incheon Airport.
- The Language Barrier is Real: While young Koreans speak good English, daily life—banking, setting up a phone, finding housing, talking to your boss—usually requires Korean. If you don’t know any Korean, your job options will be severely limited (mostly teaching English if qualified, or very basic manual labor). Start studying now. Even knowing the alphabet (Hangul) makes a massive difference.
- Housing Deposits: The rental system in Korea often requires very high security deposits (sometimes $5,000 – $10,000 USD or more) for standard apartments. As a Working Holiday maker, you will likely need to look at “Goshiwons” (tiny efficiency rooms), share houses, or Airbnb initially.
- Job Restrictions: You cannot work in certain industries considered contrary to the spirit of cultural exchange (e.g., adult entertainment bars) or highly professional fields that require specific E-series visas (like doctors, lawyers, professors).
Why You Should Do It: A Note from an “Old-Timer”
If you are hesitating because the paperwork seems daunting or you are scared of the unknown, I want to tell you this: Do it anyway.
When I went to Canada in 2012, I was scared. There were days when I was homesick, days when I struggled with the language barrier, and days when work was tough.
But those moments were far outweighed by the incredible sense of freedom I felt exploring the Rocky Mountains. I made friends from all over the globe that I still talk to today. I learned that I was stronger and more adaptable than I ever imagined. That year didn’t just give me travel photos; it gave me confidence that has lasted a decade.
A Working Holiday in Korea will challenge you, frustrate you, and absolutely thrill you. You will eat food that blows your mind at 3 AM, you will figure out a complex subway system, and you will immerse yourself in a culture that is dynamic and deeply historical.
It’s a gap year that actually fills the gaps in your life with real experience.
Start gathering your documents, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in Korea. Good luck!
Have questions about preparing for your trip to Korea? Drop a comment below!