Do you dream of living, working, and traveling in South Korea for up to a year? The H-1 Working Holiday Visa is one of the easiest and most exciting ways to make that dream come true!
If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, here is everything you need to know to secure your H-1 visa and start your journey.
# 1. Basic Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the H-1 visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be aged between 18 and 30 (inclusive) at the time of application.
- Hold a passport from a country that has a Working Holiday agreement with South Korea (e.g., UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, etc.).
- Have no criminal record.
- Prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself during the initial phase of your stay (usually around 3,000,000 KRW or equivalent).
- Have travel health insurance that covers your entire stay in Korea (minimum coverage of 40,000,000 KRW for medical treatment and repatriation).
# 2. Required Documents Checklist
You must submit these documents to your local Korean Embassy or Consulate:
- Visa Application Form (Completed and signed)
- Valid Passport (With at least 6 months validity remaining)
- Passport Photo (Taken within the last 6 months)
- Activity Plan (Travel Plan): A written plan (in English or Korean) detailing what you plan to do month-by-month in Korea. Focus more on travel, culture, and sightseeing, as this is primarily a travel visa.
- Bank Statement: Official document proving you have the required minimum balance.
- Medical Insurance Certificate: Proving coverage for your entire 1-year stay.
- Return Flight Ticket (Or proof of funds to purchase one).
# 3. Rules of Working on an H-1 Visa
While the visa allows you to work to support your travels, there are important rules:
- Working Hour Limit: You can work up to 25 hours per week.
- Prohibited Job Sectors: You cannot work as a professional English teacher (which requires an E-2 visa), in entertainment/modeling, or in professional fields like law, medicine, or journalism. Popular jobs for H-1 holders include guest house staff, cafe baristas, restaurant servers, and marketing assistants.
Start preparing your documents at least 2 to 3 months before your planned departure date. Korea is waiting for you!