Before graduating in Korea: connect your degree, status expiry and job search

Before seeking work after a Korean degree, put expected graduation, document availability and current status expiry on one calendar. Then distinguish job searching from an internship or employment offer. Graduation alone does not complete every step needed to start work.

Record separate dates

A graduation ceremony and certificate availability may differ. Status expiry is another date. Ask the relevant university office rather than assuming they coincide.

Event	Record	Contact or evidence
Graduation	Remaining requirements and expected date	Department or academic office
Documents	Expected-degree, degree and transcript availability	University issuing office
Present status	Exact status and expiry	Registration and permission records
Search	Roles, applications and next interview	Your application log
Offer	Duties, terms and intended start	Employer contact

Turn blank cells into specific questions. If final evidence is delayed, ask what the university can issue first.

Job searching and an offer need different actions

Without an offer, define intended roles and evidence from courses, projects or experience. With an offer, obtain actual duties, employer, location and terms for review.

Searching for work and beginning employment are different activities. Review the appropriate route from your actual status and intended activity instead of assuming everyone needs the same intermediate step.

Read D-10 guidance with its target group

On 2 December 2025, the Ministry of Justice announced expanded job-search and internship support for graduates of Korean universities. Read publication date and target group together. Do not transfer an old portal's period to every current D-10 case.

Your calendar should show the status and period actually granted to you. A published maximum and one person's granted period are different. Keep necessary changes or extensions on the timetable and do not record an unsubmitted application as complete.

Keep an actionable application log

Record company, vacancy, date, actual work, CV version, contact, interview status and next action. Connect broad career interests to duties in real vacancies.

Use genuine projects, responsibilities and results in the CV, matching degree names and dates to certificates. Be able to explain your own contribution separately from the team's work.

Fictional example: studies complete, certificate pending

A fictional graduate has completed study but is waiting for degree evidence. Record the confirmed issue date, status expiry and interviews together.

If an employer requests a start, explain available evidence and unfinished procedures rather than treating course completion as the end of preparation. Obtain the actual terms for the next review.

Bring a one-page summary

Include status and expiry, school and degree, certificate dates, intended roles and locations, application history and offer status. Ask what needs to happen, and when, before moving from the current situation to the intended activity.

Allocate follow-up tasks among university, applicant, employer and reviewer. Keep living funds separate from unconfirmed employment income.

Turn the preparation into your next step

GEA employment and preparation consultation

GEA handles employment counselling and employment connections. Visa and residence administration is handled by its partner, Now Together Administrative Agent Office.

Official sources: 법무부 국내 대학 졸업 유학생 D-10 개선 · NIIED Employment System

Prepared by GEA · Sources checked: 24 October 2026