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Visa Edge-Cases — Extension & Change Playbook

Overstay rescue, D-2→D-10, dependents: which office, which forms, which order.

As of 2026-10-10

HiKorea’s official text rarely covers the real edge cases: a gap between visas, switching from study to job-seeking, a job change, or a dependent who arrives late.

This playbook gives the rule, the office, and the sequence for the situations that most often go wrong.

ℹ️ Information is accurate as of the date shown and can change. Confirm critical steps with official sources before acting.

0. The two rules that save you

  • Reserve your immigration office visit on hikorea.go.kr as early as you can. HiKorea’s guidance is that you can apply to extend from 4 months before expiry up to the expiry day itself. Many extensions can also be filed online (e-application); some visa types must be filed in person.
  • The law requires you to apply BEFORE your stay ends (출입국관리법 §25). Applying after expiry triggers a fine, and overstaying can bring deportation and an entry ban. Never let the date pass while “waiting for a slot.”

1. Study (D-2) → Job-seeking (D-10)

  • General job-seeking (D-10) needs a degree (a Korean associate degree counts) and passing the points test. The points test is waived for graduates of a Korean university within 3 years of the degree who hold TOPIK level 4 or higher (or passed the Social Integration Program stage-4 midterm or were placed in stage 5) — Ministry of Justice Visa Navigator.
  • Since 29 Oct 2025 a D-10 stay is granted 1 year at a time, up to 3 years in total (before: 6 months at a time, up to 2 years) — Ministry of Justice press release, 27 Oct 2025.
  • For the exact document list for your case, use HiKorea’s visa-type manual (체류자격별 안내매뉴얼) or call 1345.

2. Job change / late dependent

  • Changing employers on E-7 normally needs 근무처 변경허가 (workplace-change PERMISSION) BEFORE you start the new job (출입국관리법 §21①). Only holders of E-1 to E-7 who meet requirements the Ministry of Justice announces may instead report within 15 days of the change. Confirm which applies to you (1345) — working without permission is a violation.
  • Dependent (F-3) arriving after the main visa holder: eligibility depends on the main holder’s status — for example, a D-2 student in a Korean bachelor’s programme or above, after 6 months in D-2, may invite a spouse and minor children (Ministry of Justice Visa Navigator). Relationship documents issued abroad (marriage or birth certificates) generally need an apostille or consular verification — confirm the list for your status in HiKorea’s manual, and get them BEFORE you travel.

3. If you’ve already overstayed

  • Being caught can mean deportation and an entry ban. Reporting and leaving voluntarily is treated more leniently, but fines generally still apply.
  • Time-limited special voluntary-departure programs run occasionally. The most recent one we could confirm (Dec 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026) waived fines and deferred entry bans, but excluded people who overstayed after Dec 1, 2025 (Ministry of Justice press release, 28 Nov 2025). Check immigration.go.kr notices or call 1345 for anything running now before deciding.