Once you graduate, a student status has served its purpose and cannot carry you further. The fork itself is simple: whether you already have a company determines which status you apply for next.
No employer yet — the job-seeking status
The D-10 exists so you can continue looking for work inside Korea after finishing your studies. It is generally renewed in six-month blocks, and during that window you find an employer and convert again to a work status. Think of it as the mechanism that prevents a gap opening between graduation and employment, which is exactly where people run into trouble when they do not plan ahead.
Employer confirmed — the work status
For professional employment this means changing to the E-7 family. The core documents are your graduation certificate and employment contract, with financial evidence or a guarantor document sometimes requested alongside them. Requirements differ between statuses and are revised periodically, so confirm your specific case with the immigration office that covers your area, or with the 1345 contact centre in your own language.
The timing mistake to avoid
The most common error is starting the process after the expiry date has already passed. Write three dates on one page: your graduation date, the expiry of your current period of stay, and your expected start date. The second rule matters just as much: you must not begin the activity of the new status, meaning actual work, before the change is approved. Explain this to your employer so the start date is set after approval rather than before, because employers unfamiliar with the process often assume a signed contract is enough.
Where to apply
Large corporations and foreign-invested companies use English more and actively seek international talent, which makes them comparatively open to graduates from Korean universities. Small and mid-sized companies and startups recruit just as willingly where a role needs a specific technical skill or language. Strategy divides by field: research and development in science and engineering points toward large companies and institutes, software toward startups, while humanities and social science graduates more often find openings in translation, overseas sales and trade.
Prepare the documents in Korean
Many Korean employers expect a Korean-language resume and cover letter, and an English resume alone often will not carry an application. Prepare the Korean versions separately, covering education, experience, certifications and language scores, and check whether the posting asks for a photograph or date of birth. Foreign-invested companies and overseas sales roles sometimes accept English documents, which is one more reason to read the posting closely before writing anything.
Stage-by-stage preparation and interview guidance are in the post-graduation employment guide on the WeBring blog.