South Korea has eased its work visa rules for skilled Thai youth, in a move announced by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand and approved by Seoul’s Ministry of Justice. The changes expand access to D-10 job-seeking visas and simplify E-7 employment visas, with the most sweeping benefits aimed at Thai graduates who hold strong Korean language skills. Embassy officials said the relaxation takes immediate effect and is designed to make it easier for Thai applicants to build careers in South Korea while supporting growing labor needs in key industries.
Who benefits and key eligibility
Under the updated policy, Thai applicants under 29 years old who hold a bachelor’s degree in Korean language or Korean studies and have passed TOPIK Level 6 (the highest level of the Test of Proficiency in Korean) will receive several major benefits:
- Exempt from submitting financial proof for the D-10-1 job-seeking visa.
- Waiver of the previous 60-point minimum in the points-based evaluation.
- Maximum stay extended from one year to three years for qualifying applicants.
These changes aim to support longer-term job search and career planning for young Thai graduates in South Korea.
Changes to the E-7 employment visa
The E-7 employment visa has also been streamlined for Thai nationals who can demonstrate Korean language proficiency:
- Strict checks on field of study and prior work experience have been waived for Thai candidates with required Korean ability, reducing paperwork and hiring delay.
- For Thai graduates under 29 with degrees in science or engineering from Thai universities that have been QS Top 1,000 globally over the past three years, holding at least TOPIK Level 2 will:
- Bring bonus points in visa evaluation.
- Potentially support stays of up to three years.
Officials say these measures aim to connect Thai graduates with technology, manufacturing, and research roles that match South Korea’s workforce needs.
Rationale and official statements
Ambassador Park Yong-min explained the motivation behind the reforms: they were developed after discussions in Bangkok and Seoul about the growing interest among Thai youth in building careers in South Korea.
“Our aim is to provide more career opportunities for Thai graduates and strengthen workforce exchanges between our two countries,” he said.
The Ministry of Justice accepted the embassy’s proposal after reviewing entry patterns and the expanding number of Thai students studying Korean. According to embassy figures, 28 Thai universities now offer degree programs in Korean language or Korean studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, creating a clear talent pool for South Korean workplaces.
Practical impact and barriers reduced
Key practical barriers that were lowered include:
- Removal of the financial proof requirement for eligible D-10 applicants — easing burdens on recent graduates without substantial savings or guarantors.
- Dropping the 60-point threshold for applicants with TOPIK 6 — removing a high hurdle for qualified candidates.
- Waiver of field-of-study and work-experience checks under the E-7 route for Korean-proficient Thai nationals — addressing a common chokepoint that slowed hiring.
VisaVerge.com reports that South Korea’s targeted loosening is likely to spur more applications in the next academic cycle, as students time graduation and language testing to meet the new criteria.
Importance of language proficiency
The language requirement remains central to the policy shift:
- TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the standard exam for non-native speakers.
- TOPIK Level 6: opens a longer, easier D-10 path (including exemption from financial proof and point threshold).
- TOPIK Level 2: offers advantages for science and engineering graduates seeking E-7 benefits.
Universities in Thailand may align coursework with exam preparation, while private language institutes could see increased demand for advanced classes. Families that invested in Korean-language education may view these visa changes as tangible returns on that effort.
Sectors and employer implications
Officials did not list specific sectors by name, but the E-7 route typically covers professional roles requiring specialized knowledge. By pairing QS-ranked Thai universities with bonus points and extended stays, the policy encourages graduates from strong programs to consider fields such as:
- Engineering
- ICT (information and communications technology)
- Design
- Applied sciences
For South Korean employers, the streamlined checks should make it easier to consider Thai applicants in the same recruiting cycle as domestic graduates, reducing delays from lengthy documentation reviews.
Education–employment coordination
The embassy’s announcement suggests closer coordination between education and employment:
- With 28 Thai universities offering Korean studies or language degrees, the talent pipeline is already present.
- Universities may boost career services focused on South Korea; alumni networks can help graduates find internships and mentors.
- The three-year D-10 window allows a more natural progression from language mastery to job experience, aiding those who need time for company training or licensing in technical fields.
Where to find official information
Applicants and employers seeking official details can refer to the government’s immigration portal at HiKorea, which hosts policy updates and visa category explanations.
Embassy officials in Bangkok emphasized:
- The revised conditions apply specifically to Thai youth who meet the degree and language standards described.
- Students and applicants should verify requirements before scheduling travel or job interviews.
- The Ministry of Justice will monitor application volumes and processing times after the change.
What this means for Thai students and recruiters
- A three-year D-10 stay, plus targeted E-7 flexibility, may change the decision between continuing with graduate school or entering the job market directly.
- Recruiters in Seoul and other cities may find it easier to match Korean-speaking Thai graduates with openings, strengthening bilateral labor links.
As Ambassador Park put it, the reforms are meant to “strengthen workforce exchanges” while giving young people more room to grow their careers in South Korea.
This Article in a Nutshell
South Korea updated visa rules to ease entry for skilled Thai youth. Qualifying Thai applicants under 29 with a degree in Korean language or Korean studies and TOPIK Level 6 can obtain a D-10-1 visa without financial proof or the 60-point minimum and may stay up to three years. E-7 requirements for Korean-proficient candidates are streamlined, with science and engineering graduates from QS-ranked Thai universities and TOPIK Level 2 receiving bonus points and potential three-year stays. The reforms aim to meet labor needs and strengthen bilateral workforce ties.
