D-2 part-time work permit
On a D-2 you can intern — but only after the permit. This is the checklist. Verified July 2026; always reconfirm with your university international office and HiKorea.
The one rule that matters
Working on a D-2 is “an activity outside your visa status.” You must get 체류자격외 활동허가 (part-time work permit, aka S-3) via HiKorea before you start. No permit = visa violation.
In-semester hours (grad)
30 hrs/week if you have TOPIK 4 / KIIP 4 / Sejong Intermediate 2.
15 hrs/week without it.
During vacation
Field-related internships (E-1~E-7 professional fields), effectively unlimited hours if TOPIK 4+/KIIP done.
Your checklist
- Check the first-semester rule — many schools bar the part-time permit in your first ~6 months. Confirm your date.
- Know your language tier: TOPIK 4 / KIIP 4 / Sejong Intermediate 2 = 30 hrs/week in-semester; without it = 15 hrs/week (grad students).link ↗
- Get the part-time work confirmation from your university international office (they co-sign the application).
- Apply for 체류자격외 활동허가 (part-time work permit / S-3) on HiKorea BEFORE you start — allow ~2 weeks.link ↗
- Vacation internships: during official school breaks you may do field-related internships (E-1~E-7 fields), unlimited hours if TOPIK 4+/KIIP done.
- If it is credit-bearing 현장실습 / IPP field-training, ask your dept — the permit mechanism differs and may not need the standard S-3.
- Never work before approval — penalties run ₩2–15M (student) and deportation risk; employer up to ₩30M.link ↗
Sources: Yonsei GSIS / SNU / SKKU international-office notices, HiKorea, KOWORK permit guide (2026). Rules change — treat this as a starting map, not legal advice.