How to find a job in Korea? What visas are available? Can you work in Korea without speaking Korean? This post offers you a comprehensive guide on what you need to know to work in South Korea.
We listed tips which you should follow in order to maximize your chance of finding a job in Korea.
Certainly, the higher your level of Korean and degrees, the easier it will be for you to gain access to employment in Korea. Do not limit yourself to what people say about how hard is it to get a job in Korea. Finding a job without speaking Korean and even without a degree is still possible!
In this post, we will explain to you why you should first try to find a job related to your field of study, what jobs are accessible without speaking Korean or higher education, where to look for jobs for foreigner and lots of other things. We will also give some tips for successfully completing your job search.
The job market in South Korea
The job market in South Korea has remained very dynamic despite the Covid-19 crisis. The unemployment rate has been decreasing for several months and was only 3.9% in March 2021, the average in OECD countries for the same period was 6.7%! (Well done Korea!)
The Land of the Morning Calm has positioned itself as a major player in the Industrial and Technology markets. It has seen the emergence of large international groups such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Kia etc.. But the Korean economy does not rely solely on its large groups (“Chaebols”) anymore and hosts many foreign companies.
Today, South Korea represents a very interesting market and also a real crossroads with the rest of Asia. Over the last years Korea increased trade with partners in Asia but also in Europe, and opens its borders to international workers. So if you are looking for a job in Korea, the timing seems to be on your side!
South Korea is also a land of innovation. Songdo, located 15 minutes from Incheon International Airport, the gateway to Seoul, is the world’s first smart city, built with the focus on the well-being of its residents and sustainability.
However, Korea’s job market remains very competitive and the Korean authorities favor expatriates with specific skills. Korean companies are looking in particular for graduates and holders of Masters, MBA or PhD.
Working conditions in South Korea
The South Korean National Assembly voted a law on February 27, 2018 that reduced weekly working hours to 52 hours, down from 68 previously. A number that includes 40 hours per week as well as a ceiling of 12 overtime hours not to be exceeded. Yes, this is still very high compared to European standard. Koreans are hard workers, so be prepared for these extra hours you will put in.
Hierarchy is very important in Korean societies and is linked to age and experience (more on Korean Culture here). A young person will very rarely be the manager of an older team. It is therefore very important to respect the authority of your hierarchy.
In order to strengthen relationships between employees, it is not uncommon to go out for drinks with colleagues after office hours. While the work environment can be strict, the atmosphere is very relaxed outside.
Employees in South Korea can take 15 days of leave per year, in addition to the 12 annual public holidays. Some companies may grant more paid leave depending in particular on the status and length of service of the employee.
We lived and worked in Korea for 3 years, we wrote a full post about on what’s like to live in Korea here.
7 tips to find a job in South Korea
Let us share with you 7 tips to maximize your chance of finding a job in Korea. You will see that these are very simple things, and above all a lot of common sense.
Tip 1: Check out classifieds sites / groups every day
This is the kind of site where the ads circulate very quickly. For some of them, new offers are posted almost every hour, so be on the lookout! You will find everything, but beware, on unofficial platforms, the ads are not necessarily verified. Also, feel free to post your job search ad whenever possible.
English sites:
Craigslist Seoul
JobSee
Koreaners
Seoul Global Center
Facebook Group, Jobs in Korea
Korean professionals
Global Employers
Glassdoor
Seoul Professionals
Manpower
Kelly Agency
Korean sites:
Indeed
PeoplenJob
Saramin
Incruit
JobKorea
For English teachers:
EPIK
Tip 2: Make yourself known on various forums by posting your CV
The more visibility you are on the Internet, the more likely you will get noticed. Try out the forums such as:
You should also try forums from your own country, for example here are few sites really useful for the French Community in Korea:
France-Korea.net
Voyage Forum
Expat.com
FKCC
Take part in discussions and ask questions as you talk about your journey. Ideally, participate in meetings and activities if you are already in Korea.
Tip 4: be active on professional networks
Update your CVs on professional networks, especially if you have a higher degrees and a few years of experience already. Collect the business contacts that interest you and send them a short note to show your interest. Note that your chances of finding a job are much higher when your search in the same industry:
Tip 5: contact companies directly
Did you go through a travel agency to go to Korea? Why not contact them. Do you order your Korean products in an online store? Do not hesitate to contact this company which may be looking to strengthen their teams! And the same goes with any services / sites you use that have some connection to Korea. Even Netflix, Google, Facebook have a Korean branch. Think about it!
Tip 6: do keyword research on Google
It sounds silly, but sometimes the most interesting ads aren’t necessarily listed on classifieds sites. So, if you already know what position interests you, just do a quick keyword search on Google. Example, if you are looking for a job in Korea in marketing and you are asked to speak French, it might look something like “French + marketing + Seoul”. Do not forget to use the Google “Tools” (filters), such as the country, the language or the publication date of the post you are looking for. Method tested many times and 100% approved!
Tip 7: save and apply to expired ads
In addition to tip 6. If you find an old ad out of date, don’t hesitate to save the contact details and send a spontaneous application. It is a golden opportunity to have direct contact with the HR manager, or even the management! If the position existed 3 years or 6 months ago, it probably still exists, and future recruitment may be in the pipeline, so take the lead!
Working Visa and residence card in South Korea
South Korea has many visas for foreign workers for temporary or permanent stays. It is not easy to get a visa because the expectations are quite high and the process can sometimes be tricky. A visa is however required if you wish to stay more than 90 days in the South Korea and it is important to start the visa process with the local authorities as early as possible.
Here is the overview for different type of visa based on your targeted professions:
The E-1 professor visa
It is intended for expatriates who wish to lecture or do research in higher education. This multi-entry visa is valid for one year and renewed every year.
The E-2 foreign language teacher visa
It is intended for expatriates intending to teach a foreign language. This multi-entry visa is valid for 2 years for another 2 years.
The E-3 research visa
The research visa allows expatriates to conduct research in a public or private institution in the fields of natural sciences or advanced technologies. This multi-entry visa is valid for one year and is renewable every year.
The E-4 technological orientation visa
This visa allows expatriates with expertise in sciences or technology. This multi-entry visa is valid for one year and can be renewed every year.
The E-5 professional visa
This visa is for architects, lawyers, doctors, accountants and other professionals who hold an international license and authorization from the Korean government to practice their area of expertise. The multi-entry visa is valid for one year and renewable every year.
The E-6 Culture and art visa
This visa is intended for expatriates who work in the cultural and artistic world. Models, athletes, entertainment workers etc. are eligible for this multi-entry visa, valid for one year and renewable every year.
The E-7 visa for specific activities
This visa is for expatriates who participate in activities recognized by the Korean Ministry of Justice through a public or private organization. It is the most popular business visa for expatriates. This multi-entry visa is valid for one to three years and is renewable at one-year intervals.
The D-5 long-term media coverage visa
This visa concerns journalists, correspondents and reporters from foreign media. The visa is valid for three months and renewable at intervals of one year.
The D-10 job seeker visa
Although difficult to obtain, there is a visa available for job seekers who must meet one of the following conditions: you are doing an internship at a Korean company, you have graduated from a listed university, you are a recent graduate from a Korean higher education institution, your former employer is on the Fortune 500 list, or you are recognized by the head of a diplomatic mission.
It is possible to set up a business in South Korea and therefore benefit from a business visa accordingly. A self-employed person visa is also available.
The Alien Card, the residence card in South Korea (ARC)
Any expatriate staying in South Korea for more than 90 days will need to apply for the Alien Card or Residence Card for Foreigners. This card will serve as his identity card and this resident registration number is essential for opening a bank account. You must apply for this card at the nearest immigration office, by making an appointment and presenting yourself with all the necessary documents. It costs 30,000 KRW to get it.
Employment contracts and wages in South Korea
Although a verbal agreement has real value in South Korea, a written contract summarizes all the terms of work (duration, salary, type of employment, number of leaves etc.). Do not hesitate to negotiate with your employer before signing your contract.
The minimum wage in South Korea was set in 2021 at KRW 8,720 per hour. The monthly minimum wage in 2021 is set at 1,822,480 KRW.
To know more about cost of life and other important information when moving to Korea, check our full guide on moving to Korea.
Working in South Korea without a degree
It will be very difficult to find a job in South Korea without having a higher education qualification. It is necessary to have at least a bachelor with a few years of experience.
However, you can try your luck with a working holiday visa (H-1). The working holiday visa allows people aged 18 to 30 who can benefit from it to spend a year in South Korea to travel, immerse in its culture and / or work there. Non-renewable, its period of validity is 12 months from the date of issue of the visa. You can then try your luck in catering, sales, events or even the nightlife.
For more info on Working-Holiday visa in Korea (WHV), check the government website here.
Work in South Korea without speaking Korean
It will definitely be more difficult to find a job without mastering some Korean language… Communication within Korean companies but also foreign companies is done in Korean. It is therefore strongly recommended that you take Korean lessons before you leave for South Korea. You can also come and learn the language in the country first.
There are a few positions where you do not need to speak Korean, which we’ve listed below:
Restaurant waiter in international restaurants
English is essential for those positions. In restaurants you will also quickly learn the basics of Korean on the job, while on duty.
Tip: It’s a very easy and quick job to find. Approach foreign restaurant in Itaewon, Mapo-Gu or Gangnam.
Please note: night jobs are prohibited under the WHV. This includes waiter jobs in bars and nightclubs.
Employee in a youth hostel / Guest-Staff
You welcome new arrivals, clean the rooms, change the sheets, do the laundry, etc. Do not hesitate to contact the guesthouses directly or to go there to offer your services. Some hostels that are recruiting: Kimchi Guesthouse
Guesthouse manager / Guesthouse Manager
Management of the guesthouse, reception and installation of new arrivals, responses to emails / telephone, social media communication, etc. A good level of English is required to communicate with international residents.
Translator-proofreader
The missions of the translator and / or proofreader are quite varied. We may need you to translate a book, a technical manual, or to correct sentences or vocal recordings made in your mother tongue. These are often one-off assignments that can last from a few hours to a few weeks.
Tip: Respond to an ad (for example on Craigslist Seoul) or contact Korean translation agencies directly.
Native voice-recording
Voice over for films, advertisements or voice for a GPS for example. The missions are varied. Generally looking for native speakers and people with excellent diction. These are often 1 to 2 hour sessions in the studio (eg reading 200 commands in a row for a GPS).
Tip: respond to an ad on Craigslist Seoul or contact Korean agencies directly with a demo.
Actor / Actress
Acting in an advertisement, drama, film or corporate video, these are the kinds of things you will be called upon to do. The payments are fixed (standard package), but may vary depending on the importance of the role for the acting (as soon as you have text).
Tip: There are a lot of ads posted on “Craigslist Seoul”. Many Facebook groups and agencies exist for foreigners (google “Talent agency foreigners Seoul”). The better you speak English / Korean, the more likely you are to have regular assignments. The figuration is open to all!
Here is a list of some agencies.
Some Facebook groups: Acting / Casting Networking Seoul and Foreign Entertainers In Korea
Photo model / Foreign model
Photo model for advertisements, magazines, posters, brochures … Be young, have a beautiful skin and a beautiful figure. Lots of competition, but it’s possible to shoot regularly if you have a good physique, or even get a contract with an agency. A few foreigners have succeeded in breaking into this field in Korea.
Private (native) tutor
Give foreign language lessons to individuals, more often conversation lessons in a café or at home.
Please note: it is illegal to be a “language teacher” in an establishment without a specific visa. It must therefore remain private tutoring and without any link with an organization (or even online).
Tip: Post your ad on “Craigslist Seoul” or “cafe Naver” (in Korean), or better yet, directly at Korean universities. Also attend “language exchanges” on the “Meetup” community site to meet your future students.
Actor in an escape room / Escape room actor / actress
Animate games in escape rooms by playing different fictional characters. Korean may not necessarily be essential depending on the role occupied.
Tip: contact the escape games directly or go see them on site, such as the “Seoul Escape Room”.
In conclusion
So, do you think you’ve found the right job for you? We wish you good luck in your research!
Do you have other ideas on how to get a job in Korea? or just want to share your work experience in Korea? Please feel free to leave a comment below
We hope that this article was useful. We lived in Korea for 3 years, here is our full post about what it is like to live in Korea as a foreigner.
You can find over 100 articles about Korea in our website by clicking here.
Related posts
SOUTH KOREA:best things to do in South Korea:here
BEST NEIGHBORHOODS to live in Seoul as an expat: here
GUIDE FOR MOVING to South Korea: here
LVING IN KOREA as a foreigner: here
KOREAN CULTURE: here
PROS AND CONS of living in South Korea: here
SEOUL: must-sees in the city: here
Related
Korea
FAQs
How do I find a job in Korea? ›
Another job portal that is mainly used in Korea is JobKorea. Similar to Saramin, this website is purely in Korean. However, it's a great site to explore for jobs as there are a lot of job postings, even for foreigners.
Is finding a job in Korea easy? ›It's difficult for graduates to find work experience or short-term opportunities in South Korea, other than teaching English or voluntary work. You might find internship vacancies with multinational companies operating in South Korea.
Can I get a job in South Korea without speaking Korean? ›Requirements to Work in South Korea
It is possible to find jobs in Korean that do not require a knowledge of Korean, but employers will be more favorable to applicants who know Korean (and/or are interested in learning) as it will help them integrate with their coworkers and work culture more fully.
Teaching English in Korea is the most popular job for foreigners. Because of the high demand, the requirement for ESL (English as a second language) teachers is immense. You can work for government public schools like EPIK, SMOE, GOE, GEPIK, TaLK, private centers (Hagwon), or even universities.
What is the lowest paying job in South Korea? ›| Profession | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Cashier Staff | 22.30 million won |
| Kitchen Assistant | 22.46 million won |
| Delivery Staff | 22.56 million won |
| Housekeeper | 22.60 million won |
| Profession | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dental Surgeon | 107 million won |
| Airplane Pilot | 104.7 million won |
| Ophthalmologist | 104.2 milllion won |
| Physician | 95 million won |
South Korea has a high demand for foreigners in various fields. More and more job openings are available now than ever before. The prospects for work are not limited to a few industries but across the board. Some of these positions won't require you to have fluent Korean!
Can I live in Korea without a job? ›How to move to South Korea without a job? The best way is to get an F visa such as the F-4 (overseas Korean) Visa or the F-6 (marriage visa). Or you can try to get an investment visa if you have 100 million (90,000 USD) to 300 million KRW (270,000 USD) to invest.
How much is the basic salary in Korea? ›According to the Korean Herald report, the minimum wage in South Korea was voted by the Minimum wage commission. It has been set to 9,160 KRW per hour (8 USD) for 2022 and 9,620 won (7.41 USD) for 2023.
Can I work in Korea without a degree? ›Working in South Korea without a degree
It will be very difficult to find a job in South Korea without having a higher education qualification. It is necessary to have at least a bachelor with a few years of experience. However, you can try your luck with a working holiday visa (H-1).
How cheap is living in Korea? ›
Cost of Seoul housing
The average cost of living in Seoul for one person is 1,600,000 won ($1411), with around 743,000 won ($657) of it falls under the Rent & Utility category. Seoul is included in the top 30% of the most expensive cities in the world, ranked 2788th out of 9294 on Livingcost.
- A completed visa application form.
- A passport with validity for the next six months and blanks pages for visa stamps.
- A copy of the passport.
- Passport size photographs taken in the last three months.
- Professional and educational certificates.
- Employment contract.
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- Electrical engineering.
- Civil engineering.
- Mechanical engineering.
- Biomedical engineering.
- Computer engineering.
- Nuclear engineering.
- Nanoengineering.
- Aeronautical engineering.
The highest-paying jobs in South Korea are typically found in the medical and legal professions. However, there are several other lucrative careers to be had in fields such as finance, marketing, and education.
How much is rent in Korea? ›Minimum monthly house rent in South Korea is around 300,000 KRW (250 USD) for a small officetel studio (5–8 pyeong). On average, however, expect to pay about 500,000 KRW (425 USD) per month for this type of accommodation in big cities.
What is a comfortable salary in Seoul? ›Average Salary Range
On average, South Korean salaries can range from about 983,000 KRW per month (USD 819.46) on the lower end to 17,400,000 KRW per month (USD 14505.21) on the higher end.
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Wondering if you can teach English in South Korea without a degree? The simple answer is, no, not legally. You need a special kind of visa, known as the E-2 Teaching Visa, to work as an English teacher in South Korea. Unfortunately, the only way to get one of these is with a bachelor's degree.
Is it hard to get part time job in Korea? ›In general, finding a part-time job in Korea while studying in Korea is not difficult. But the income level of the jobs varies and depends on many factors such as working time, Korean language level, especially enthusiasm, diligence, passion, and ability of each person.
Is moving to Korea a good idea? ›
Low crime rates, gun violence is almost non-existent, job opportunities are plentiful, and the quality of life is on a very high level. If you're an American moving to South Korea, prepare for some cultural shock and social gaps you'll have to bridge.
How much bank balance is required for South Korea visa? ›How much money should I show in my bank account? The South Korean Embassy did NOT mention any minimum balance requirement, but some people have been saying that you need to have at least Php 10,000 per day of your stay — you can use this as a standard but of course, it's always best if you have more.
Is it hard to live in Korea as a foreigner? ›In general, moving to South Korea is easy as long as you are prepared before your arrival. Although the country has a long history of not preferring foreign migration, those sentiments have changed as Korea has started to welcome more and more international companies through its borders.
How much is a house in Korea? ›As of August 2021, the mean purchase price of housing in Seoul, South Korea amounted to around 869 million South Korean won. The average price of apartments amounted to around 1.18 billion South Korean won, while the price of detached and row houses was about 941 and 334 million South Korean won, respectively.
How much is an hour in Korea? ›| Year | Minimum wage (in South Korean won ₩) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Daily (8-hour day) | |
| 2018 | 7,530 | 60,240 |
| 2019 | 8,350 | 66,800 |
| 2020 | 8,590 | 68,720 |
| Rank | Country | Average Monthly Net Salary (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland | 6142.1 |
| 2 | Singapore | 4350.79 |
| 3 | Australia | 4218.89 |
| 4 | United States | 3721.64 |
For foreign students, in order to avoid illegally working which can affect your visa renewal, you should apply for a part-time job at the migration. You can come to the immigration office or apply for a part-time job online through Hikorea.
How much does a Korean work visa cost? ›| Entry | Stay Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry Normal | 30 days | 3775.0 |
| Multiple entry Normal | 30 days | 7275.0 |
| Single entry Express | 30 days | 5875.0 |
| Multiple entry Express | 30 days | 10075.0 |
There are several types of working visas in South Korea that allow for long-term employment. These permits let your employees stay for more than 90 days.
How are foreigners treated in South Korea? ›Foreigners are largely exempt from the code of conduct that would be required of both parties following their knowledge of age, employment and background, and little is expected of them in such terms, but this does have its drawbacks – in such an ethnically homogeneous society, those that aren't Korean will always ...
Is learning Korean hard? ›
Since Korean is an East-Asian language, people tend to associate the difficulty with Chinese or Japanese. But, Korean is much easier to learn than other East-Asian languages. Unlike Chinese, Korean is not a tonal language. This means, that regardless of your accent or pronunciation, one tone equals one meaning.
How can I permanently live in Korea? ›- A foreign national residing in the Republic of Korea for five years or longer.
- A spouse of a Korean national or permanent resident and his/her child residing in Korea for two years or longer.
- A Korea-born child of an F-5 (father or mother) visa holder residing in Korea.
Korea's minimum wage for 2022 set at 9,160. Korean won; up 5.1% y/y.
Is studying in Korea stressful? ›Stress Caused By Education in South Korea
“Students endure a substantial psychological burden from competition and long hours of work,” he said..
Plus, many universities and foundations also offer their own funding programs for international students. Korea is widely recognized for its extraordinary higher education system, and earns top marks among OECD countries in terms of scholastic achievement and educational competitiveness.
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The cons of the South Korean educational system are the difficulty in class registration, being too much lecture-oriented, and being highly competitive in enrolling in classes.
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- Sang-wook (상욱) Most parents would agree that if they could wish anything on their child, it would be good health.
1. 알아 (ara) The informal way of saying “I know” in Korean is 알아 (ara). Note that you have to be careful if you speak to a stranger or a much older person (without getting their permission) using informal words because you'll likely offend them.
Can I move to Korea without a job? ›
How to move to South Korea without a job? The best way is to get an F visa such as the F-4 (overseas Korean) Visa or the F-6 (marriage visa). Or you can try to get an investment visa if you have 100 million (90,000 USD) to 300 million KRW (270,000 USD) to invest.
Are foreigners allowed to work in South Korea? ›All companies looking to employ workers in South Korea will need to sponsor their work permits to stay compliant. However, South Korea has many temporary visa types, as well as at least eight different work permit categories that depend on the type of skilled worker.
Are salaries low in South Korea? ›While South Korean salaries tend to be lower than salaries in countries like the UK, USA, Australia, and Hong Kong, there's still a great variation within the country. As of 2022, the average South Korean employee gets paid about 46,600,000 KRW per year (USD 3257.33) before income tax.
What is the age limit to work in South Korea? ›Teenagers under the age of 15 and those under the age of 18 in Middle School are not allowed to work. However, teenagers aged at least 13 years or older and under 15 years of age can work if they have obtained a work permit issued by the Minister of Employment and Labor.
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The national average salary in South Korea (2022)
The salaries in the country range from 983,000 KRW (819.46 USD), which is the lowest average, to 17,400,000 KRW (14,505.21 USD), the highest average.
According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2021, around 34.5 percent of millionaires surveyed stated that households with a minimum annual income of 500 million South Korean won or more can be perceived as rich. The threshold to be considered wealthy increased with the level of wealth of the respondents.
How many hours is full time in Korea? ›The maximum number of weekly hours is 52, consisting of 40 regular hours and 12 overtime hours. This workweek is currently applicable to all employers with at least 50 employees.
How can I get a job in Korea without teaching? ›The process of getting a non-teaching job in Korea requires persistence and patience. Only apply to jobs for which you qualify, and apply to as many as possible. Be clear about visa sponsorship if you don't already possess a work visa. If you live in Korea, ask around about non-teaching job opportunities.
How much can international students earn in Korea? ›How much can international students earn in Korea? Ranges of Salary in South Korea from 8,000 – 12,000 won/h. Jobs that require good Korean language skills will also have a higher salary, an average of 25,000 won/h.