Key Information
8 hours/day
40 hours/week
Legal Work Hours
- 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week
- Exceeding this is overtime and requires extra pay
Overtime
- Requires worker's consent
- Maximum 12 hours/week
- Pay: 1.5x regular wage
Night Work (10PM~6AM)
- Pay: 1.5x
- Overtime + night: 2x
Break Time
- 4 hours work → 30 min break
- 8 hours work → 1 hour break
Weekly Holiday Pay
- Work 15+ hours/week → 1 paid rest day per week
- Pay = 1 day's regular wage
Foreign Resident Visa-Based Part-Time Work Rules (2026)
⚠️ Based on the 2026 Ministry of Justice notice. Regional/sector/seasonal differences may apply. Always verify on hikorea.go.kr / immigration.go.kr / ☎ 1345.
📚 D-2 (Student) / D-4 (General Training, Korean Language)
| Level | During Semester | Weekends·Holidays + Vacation |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Max 20 hours/week | No limit |
| Master/PhD | Max 30 hours/week | 30-hour cap retained (no-limit rule excluded) |
Common requirements:
- Prior approval required from immigration office (Part-Time Work Permit)
- School student affairs officer confirmation
- Korean language proficiency + focus on studies
- D-4-1 (Korean language) / D-4-7 (foreign language): Allowed only after 6 months from entry/status change
- D-2-8 (Visiting Student): Same (6 months after)
🔍 D-10 (Job Seeker) / D-10-1
- Part-time work permitted (point-based job seeker visa)
- Full-time employment requires conversion to E-series visa (E-1 to E-9 etc.)
- Prior permit application required
⚠️ Penalties for Violations (Immigration Control Act)
| Violation | Punishment |
|---|---|
| Illegal part-time work caught | D-10 restriction + cannot work in Korea + departure order |
| Activity outside status of stay (working without permit) | Forced deportation or voluntary departure recommendation + up to 3 years imprisonment or up to 30 million KRW fine |
🚨 Working without prior permit risks deportation + criminal charges. Always obtain Part-Time Work Permit from immigration office before working.
Official Inquiries / Sources
- Foreign Resident Information Center: ☎ 1345 (multilingual)
- HiKorea (immigration services): https://www.hikorea.go.kr
- Ministry of Justice Immigration Office: https://www.immigration.go.kr
- Easy-to-Find Living Law Info (government): https://easylaw.go.kr
❓ FAQ
📞 Where to Get Help
📖 Related Laws
- • Labor Standards Act Art. 50, 53, 54, 55, 56
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Ask the communityThis information is for reference only and has no legal effect. For accurate advice, contact the Ministry of Employment and Labor (☎1350).