H-1 Working Holiday Visa Korea 2025: 29 Eligible Countries, Rules, and Tips

What Is Korea's Working Holiday Visa?#

The H-1 Working Holiday Visa allows young adults (ages 18–30, or 18–35 for some countries) to live in Korea for up to 1 year, with the right to work while there. It's part of Korea's bilateral Working Holiday Agreements with 29 countries — one of the largest working holiday networks in Asia.

The H-1 is often the easiest, fastest-to-obtain visa for working in Korea — no employer sponsorship required, no occupation restrictions (with some exceptions), and minimal documentation.

The 29 Countries Eligible for Korea Working Holiday Visa#

Country	Age Limit	Annual Quota	Notes
Australia	18–30	No quota	Oldest agreement; most applicants
New Zealand	18–30	3,600
Canada	18–30	4,000
United Kingdom	18–30	2,000	Applies online via Korean Embassy UK
Ireland	18–30	500	Small quota — apply early
France	18–30	2,000
Germany	18–30	10,000	Large quota; less competition
Japan	18–30	10,000
Taiwan	18–30	10,000
Hong Kong	18–30	1,000
Denmark	18–30	200
Sweden	18–30	200
Austria	18–30	200
Netherlands	18–30	200
Belgium	18–30	200
Portugal	18–30	200
Spain	18–30	200
Italy	18–30	200
Czech Republic	18–30	200
Hungary	18–30	100
Israel	18–30	200
Chile	18–30	1,000
Argentina	18–30	1,000
Poland	18–30	200
Slovakia	18–30	200
Croatia	18–30	100
Latvia	18–30	100
Lithuania	18–30	100
Ukraine	18–35	1,000	Older age limit

H-1 Requirements: What You Need#

The H-1 is intentionally simple. Required documents:

• Valid passport (minimum 13 months validity at time of application)
• Completed visa application form
• 1 passport-size photo
• Proof of sufficient funds: approx. USD $3,000 (varies slightly by country agreement) — bank statement showing available balance
• Return flight ticket or proof of sufficient funds to purchase one
• Health insurance certificate valid for Korea (or purchase upon arrival)
• Criminal background check (required for some nationalities)

No job offer needed. No employer sponsorship needed. No occupation requirement.

How to Apply#

1. Check your country's quota status — some countries (UK, Ireland) fill their quota quickly; others (Germany, Japan) have more space
2. Apply at the Korean consulate in your home country — most accept walk-in applications Monday–Friday
3. Processing time: typically 3–5 business days
4. Enter Korea within the validity period stamped in your passport (usually 1 year from issue)
5. Register your ARC within 90 days of arrival (required if you plan to stay more than 90 days)

Working on the H-1: What's Allowed?#

H-1 holders can work in almost any job:

• ✅ Restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, retail
• ✅ English tutoring (private lessons to individuals — not at a private academy/hagwon)
• ✅ IT, design, freelance work (for Korean or foreign clients)
• ✅ Seasonal agricultural work
• ❌ Working at a hagwon (private language academy) as a formal employee requires an E-2 visa
• ❌ Jobs classified under E-series visa categories (formal professional employment)

Work hour limit: Korean H-1 agreements have no formal hour limit per week — you can work full-time. However, you can only work for the same employer for up to 6 months (you must change employers or role after that).

Extending and Converting Your H-1#

The H-1 is valid for exactly 1 year and is not renewable. Once it expires:

• You must depart Korea
• You can apply for a new H-1 only if you haven't used a Korean working holiday before (one-time per person, per lifetime)
• To stay in Korea longer, you'll need to convert to a different visa before your H-1 expires — most commonly to E-7 (if you find skilled employment), D-2 (if you enroll in a Korean university), or D-4 (Korean language school)

Source: Korea Immigration Service, Working Holiday Visa bilateral agreements | Last verified: March 2026

This article is for informational purposes only. Working conditions vary by employer. Consult a verified immigration specialist for your specific situation.