The Working Holiday visa (H-1) lets young people from partner countries work and travel in Korea for a year. By design travel is the main purpose and work the secondary means, and that shapes the conditions throughout.
Which countries, and what age
Korea has agreements with more than 25 countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany and the UK. The usual range is 18 to 30, and 35 in some countries. The upper limit is set per country, so check it against your own nationality first.
What is asked of everyone
- A criminal record check
- A health certificate
- Some embassies want proof of 1,000 to 3,000 USD in funds
Documents
- Passport and photos
- Proof of funds — a bank balance certificate
- Criminal record check
- Round-trip ticket or booking confirmation
The quota is the real constraint
You apply at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country. Popular countries fill their quota quickly, so having every document ready does not help if you miss the window — that is the year gone. Find out when your country's window opens, usually early in the year.
What to check now
- The age limit for your nationality — 30 or 35
- This year's opening date and quota at your Korean mission
- How long a criminal record check takes where you are
Conditions and quotas are set per country and change yearly. Work from your Korean mission's own notice. The full version, including which jobs are allowed and how conversion works, is on the WeBring blog.