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What is the difference between D-10-1 and D-10-2?

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D-10-1 vs D-10-2: which visa should one choose after graduation?


Here’s the scenario:

Nithya is a foreign student from India. She finished her undergraduate degree in her home country, then her Master's in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Korea University. She has lived in Korea for 4 years so far, all on a D-2 Student Visa.

This spring, she is graduating! She wants to keep living in Korea. Now she has two paths in front of her.


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D-10-1 Job Seeking Visa

She can switch to a D-10-1 Job Seeking Visa if she wants to:

  • gain internship experience
  • work as an employee in a Korean company
  • later switch to an E-7-1 Special Occupation Visa

Pros:

  • get a monthly salary, standard health insurance, and benefits
  • put her degree and skills to use at work

Cons:

  • her right to stay in Korea depends on her employer
  • she'll need to adapt to Korean workplace culture
  • strong Korean language and communication skills are needed


D-10-2 Startup Preparation Visa

She can switch to a D-10-2 Startup Preparation Visa if she wants to:

  • build her own startup and become a founder of her own company
  • register her own company and patent in Korea
  • later switch to a D-8 type visa (D-8-1/2/3/4)

Pros:

  • full control over her own time and work
  • no mandatory requirement for Korean language skills
  • her visa doesn't depend on an employer

Cons:

  • she can't earn money through internships or part-time work


There is no ‘right path’. Nithya will need to evaluate her own financial stability and career aspirations before making a decision.


Commonly asked questions about D-10-1 and D-10-2 visa


I don't have much savings after graduation. Which path should I pick?

We recommend going with D-10-1. Find an internship or job quickly so you can earn money while living in Korea. Some people even take this route first, work in Korea for a few years on an E-7 visa, build up knowledge of their industry, then later switch to D-10-2 to start their own business.


Can I go home for a few months after graduation, relax, then come back on a D-10-1 visa?

We don't recommend this. Switching straight from D-2 to D-10-1 comes with a big advantage. Your first application skips the point-based system. Depending on your home country, you may also skip the bank balance requirement. Don't give up this advantage just for a short trip home.


My TOPIK score expired. No rush to retake it, right? I want to enjoy life after graduation!

Not so fast. To renew your D-10-1 visa without a valid TOPIK score, you'll need to show proof of funds, usually around 7 million KRW for each 6-month renewal. A valid TOPIK Level 4 (or higher) certificate skips that requirement. Many jobs even ask for TOPIK Level 5 or higher. So keep your TOPIK score valid, or take the KIIP course instead, since it never expires.


I just want to stay in Korea for a year after graduation. Enjoy cafes, travel, K-pop concerts, maybe become an influencer on social media. No job hunting, no stress. Should I just get a D-10-2?

D-10-2 isn't a two-year "free pass" to do whatever you want in Korea. It's for serious startup founders. They apply to the OASIS program, joining startup accelerators, pitching investors, registering patents, and so on. Your first D-10-2 application needs a Technology Startup Activity Plan and Proof of Financial Stability, on top of other standard documents. You'll also need to renew this visa every 6 months with updated OASIS points, a startup progress report, and fresh proof of funds. If you can’t proof to Immigration that you have been working hard on your startup preparations, your D-10-2 may not be extended after the first 6 months.


Can I do part-time work at a cafe or freelance online while on D-10-2, just for some extra cash?

No. Any paid work or freelance income (reported to Immigration or not) is against the rules on a D-10-2 visa. You might see foreign influencers online enjoying life in Korea while "building a startup." Don't assume that means they're allowed extra income. Every visa case is different. When unsure, call the Immigration 1345 hotline before starting any income-generating activity.


Conclusion

Neither the D-10-1 nor the D-10-2 visa should be treated as a "bonus free pass" to stay in Korea after graduation. Both are transitional visas, meant to lead you toward an E-7 or D-8 visa. It's completely understandable to feel lost or unsure about your next career step right after graduating. Don't worry! If you'd like to learn more about the D-10-2 visa and Korea's startup community, reach out to us at VizaBridge Corporation for a free 1:1 consultation. We'll walk you through your options together, so you can decide if the startup path is right for you.




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