Graduating on a D-2 Visa: Should You Switch to D-10 or E-7?

Graduating on D-2? D-10 Job-Seek vs E-7 When You Have an Offer

Graduation photos are done, friends are booking flights home, and someone finally asks what visa you’re moving to next. You realise the honest answer is still “I’ll figure it out after commencement.”

That’s usually how the scramble starts. Today we’ll walk through the two routes the official guidance sketches for D-2 graduates, plus a few Korean terms that make the conversation with your school or immigration much smoother.

Offer in hand, or still looking?

One question decides your route: do you already have a signed employment contract?

If you do, and the role fits an employment stay qualification — for example E-7 (Specific Activities) — you may be able to apply to change straight to that employment status, as long as you meet the rules for D-2 prospective graduates. The official guidance says a change to employment status (E-1 through E-7 as applicable) needs all three: legal stay on D-10 or D-2, a job field that matches that stay qualification and its requirements, and a signed employment contract. D-2 holders generally need to be prospective graduates who also meet the requirements to change to D-10. There’s a noted exception if you already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from your home or a third country and meet the career rules while still enrolled — check the official guide to see whether that’s you.

A gentle warning: not every office job is E-7. The occupation has to fit the Specific Activities list, and the wage rules, substitution rules and extra documents (career certificates, qualification copies, employment recommendation or necessity documents, and so on) are set out on the official page. Match your actual duties to a listed occupation before assuming anything.

If you’re still job-hunting, the route is a change to Job-Seeking (D-10). For D-2 holders, the core documents listed include the application form (Form/Annex No. 34), passport, ARC, fee, proof of education or a transcript (exempt if the immigration system can verify it), a Job-seeking Activity Plan, and a national technical qualification copy if applicable. You apply at the local immigration office for your place of residence as soon as your status is changing — including an expected graduation.

Rules get updated, so read the official page again the week you file:

For your own case, call 1345 or your school’s international office. If you hear extra “points” or “maximum years” claims, ask where they come from in a current Ministry of Justice or HiKorea manual before relying on them.

Korean words that help at the counter

  • 체류자격 변경 — change of status of stay (what you’re applying for)
  • 졸업예정자 — prospective graduate
  • 구직(D-10) / 특정활동(E-7) — Job-Seeking / Specific Activities
  • 고용계약서 — employment contract
  • 구직활동계획서 — Job-seeking Activity Plan
  • 졸업 후 체류자격 변경 관련해서 상담 받고 싶습니다. — I’d like some advice about changing my status after graduation. (for your international office or 1345)

Try it this week

Answer that one question honestly, then take a single step:

  • Offer in hand → map your actual duties and contract to the occupation list on the official page
  • Still looking → start drafting your Job-seeking Activity Plan now, not after commencement

Either way, file before your D-2 runs out, and confirm your specific case with 1345 or your international office.

Paperwork moves on its own timeline, but your Korean doesn’t have to wait. The in-between weeks are a good time to get your self-introduction and interview answers comfortable.

Got an interview coming up? You can rehearse your answers with MOCKEE, an AI mock interview.

Related reads

If you want to practice interview Korean out loud while the paperwork moves:

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