Types of Part-Time Jobs in Korea for Foreigners: Features and Wages
●■●● Part-Time Job Guide in Korea for Foreigners
Types of Part-Time Jobs in Korea for Foreigners: Features and Wages
Living in Korea as an international student or a foreign resident can be rewarding, but managing living expenses often makes part-time work necessary. Fortunately, Korea offers many opportunities for foreigners to work legally while studying or staying long-term. This guide explains which visas allow part-time jobs, how to apply for work permission, what kinds of jobs are available, and how much you can expect to earn. It also covers workplace culture, interview tips, and real experiences to help you adapt successfully.
Living in Korea as an international student or a foreign resident can be rewarding, but managing living expenses often makes part-time work necessary. Fortunately, Korea offers many opportunities for foreigners to work legally while studying or staying long-term. This guide explains which visas allow part-time jobs, how to apply for work permission, what kinds of jobs are available, and how much you can expect to earn. It also covers workplace culture, interview tips, and real experiences to help you adapt successfully.
[ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아-전주한옥마을편의점/김지호]
→ Convenience store in Jeonju Hanok Village – popular part-time job choice for international students in Korea, offering flexible hours and simple tasks
→ Convenience store in Jeonju Hanok Village – popular part-time job choice for international students in Korea, offering flexible hours and simple tasks
●●🟧 1. Visas That Allow Part-Time Work
●✅ D-4 visa holders
▶ After 6 months from entry, you may work up to 20 hours per week
●✅ D-2 visa holders
▶ Undergraduates: up to 20 hours per week during semesters, no limit during vacations
▶ Graduate students: up to 30 hours per week during semesters, no limit during vacations
●✅ Working Holiday visa (H-1) holders
▶ You may work freely without an hourly cap
●●🟧 2. How to Apply for Part-Time Work Permission
▶ To work part-time, you must obtain Permission for Part-Time Employment
●✅ Required documents
▶ Passport and Alien Registration Card
▶ Recommendation for Part-Time Employment (issued by your school)
▶ A copy of the employer’s Business Registration Certificate
▶ Application form for Permission for Part-Time Employment (provided by the immigration office)
●✅ Where to apply
▶ Your local Immigration Office or online via HiKorea www.hikorea.go.kr)
💊 Part-time work under D-2 and D-4 visas has more restrictions than you might expect, permitted industries are limited, and changing employers freely is difficult
💊💊 Under D-2 and D-4 visas, part-time work is generally limited to cafés, restaurants, convenience stores, and a few other sectors, while factories, construction sites, karaoke rooms, massage parlors, and nightlife venues are strictly prohibited
💊 The Korean government does not constantly police every D-2 or D-4 part-time job, but enforcement crackdowns often target factories, construction sites, karaoke rooms, massage parlors, and nightlife venues, so you must not work there
💊 If you are caught during a crackdown while working part-time, the officers may not fully know which sectors are permitted for D-2 and D-4 visas, so do not panic, calmly acknowledge the mistake, explain sincerely that it was an honest error, and politely request leniency, as in some cases the matter can be resolved smoothly
●●🟧 3. Popular Part-Time Jobs for Foreigners
●✅ Restaurant jobs
▶ Fast-food outlets, cafés, and restaurants, and you can often work even with beginner-level Korean
●✅ Convenience store jobs
▶ Simple tasks and easy access, preferred by many foreigners
●✅ English or native-language tutoring
▶ High hourly rates, and better Korean ability can increase your income
●✅ Event staff and short-term gigs
▶ Work intensively for a short period at expos and festivals and earn higher pay
●✅ Logistics centers and parcel work
▶ Possible even with limited Korean, relatively higher wages, though the work can be physically demanding
●●🟧 4. Best Websites and Apps to Find Part-Time Jobs
●✅ Albamon www.albamon.com)
▶ Has a dedicated category for foreigners so you can easily find a wide range of jobs
●✅ AlbaCheonguk www.alba.co.kr)
▶ New part-time openings are posted every day
●✅ Saramin www.saramin.co.kr)
▶ Offers listings from short-term part-time roles to professional positions
●✅ Kmong www.kmong.com)
▶ Great for remote and freelance work like translation and design
●✅ Danggeun Market app
▶ Lots of short-term, local gigs you can land quickly based on your neighborhood
●●🟧 5. Helpful Interview Tips
●✅ Highlight your Korean ability
▶ Prepare a simple self-introduction and your motivation in advance so you can speak confidently in the interview
●✅ Be clear about your available hours
▶ Share a schedule that fits your classes and clearly state when you can work
●✅ Bring ID and required documents
▶ Take your passport, Alien Registration Card, and a certificate of enrollment to build trust
●✅ Dress and attitude
▶ Wear neat clothing, keep a bright smile, and maintain polite manners
●●🟧 6. Key Features and Cautions for Part-Time Work in Korea
●✅ Hourly wage and pay
▶ As of 2025, the minimum hourly wage is 10,320 KRW, and the same standard applies to both Koreans and foreigners
●✅ Weekly paid holiday allowance
▶ If you work 15 hours or more per week, you are entitled to the weekly paid holiday allowance
●✅ Enrollment in the four social insurances
▶ If you work 60 hours or more per month, you must be enrolled in the four mandatory insurances (National Pension, National Health Insurance, Employment Insurance, and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance)
●✅ Written employment contract
▶ Sign a written contract before you start and confirm all conditions and pay precisely
●✅ Taxes
▶ Income tax is withheld at payroll, so check your take-home pay in advance
●✅ Preventing unfair treatment
▶ If you face unpaid wages or are pressured into extra hours, report it to the Ministry of Employment and Labor at 1350 for protection
💊 Part-time work in Korea offers diverse experiences and valuable connections, helps you improve real-life Korean skills, and deepens your understanding of local life and culture
[ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아-애슐리부페식당에서 아르바이트/프레임스튜디오]
→ Buffet restaurant in Korea – common part-time work option for foreigners, involving food service, customer care, and teamwork experience
●●🟧 Hourly Pay and Work Intensity Comparison for Popular Part-Time Jobs Chosen by Foreigners
●✅ Convenience stores
▶ Average hourly pay: minimum wage (10,320 KRW in 2025)
▶ Work intensity: relatively low
▶ Typical tasks: stocking, checkout, cleaning, and other simple duties, suitable for beginners in Korean
●✅ Cafés
▶ Average hourly pay: minimum wage to 11,000 KRW
▶ Work intensity: medium to high
▶ Typical tasks: making drinks, serving, customer service, requiring at least basic Korean
▶ Note: Menus can be very extensive, so onboarding may take some time
●✅ Restaurants
▶ Average hourly pay: minimum wage to 12,000 KRW
▶ Work intensity: medium to high
▶ Typical tasks: taking orders, serving food, dishwashing, and other varied duties that can be physically demanding, Korean at intermediate level or higher recommended
●✅ Event staff
▶ Average hourly pay: 12,000 KRW or higher
▶ Work intensity: medium (often standing for long periods)
▶ Typical tasks: guiding attendees, setting up and taking down equipment, short-term concentrated work that can pay well in a short time
▶ Note: Events do not occur every day
●✅ Logistics centers
▶ Average hourly pay: 12,000 to 15,000 KRW
▶ Work intensity: high
▶ Typical tasks: packing, sorting, preparing shipments, physically demanding but possible even with limited Korean
●●🟧 Korean Workplace Culture and Etiquette for Part-Time Jobs
●✅ Building relationships at work
▶ Greet colleagues and supervisors with a bright smile when starting your shift
▶ Add “ssi” or “nim” after names to show respect (example: Kim Minsu → Kim Minsu ssi)
▶ Be careful with personal questions and keep work-related questions and requests polite
●✅ Important greetings and etiquette in Korea
▶ Say natural greetings like “Annyeonghaseyo” when arriving and “Sugo-hasyeosseumnida” when leaving
▶ If you make a mistake or receive help, say “I’m sorry” and “Thank you” clearly
▶ Use honorific language with seniors and supervisors and maintain a courteous attitude
●●🟧 Making Korean Friends While Working Part-Time
●✅ Ways to build rapport
▶ During breaks or meals, start light conversations about favorite foods or hobbies
▶ Offer and ask for help during work so you can become close naturally
●✅ Activities that are good to do together
▶ Grab a meal or visit a café after your shift
▶ On weekends or holidays, suggest simple plans like eating together or taking a walk in the park
●●🟧 Real Part-Time Experiences and Advice from Foreigners
●✅ Positive experiences
▶ While working part-time, my Korean improved quickly and I was able to understand Korean culture more deeply by interacting with Korean friends
▶ I learned Korea’s work culture and diligence, which I can apply usefully back home
●✅ Challenges and how to overcome them
▶ At first I made many mistakes because my Korean was weak, but I asked questions actively during breaks and after work and learned the language fast
▶ When work was tough, I asked coworkers and supervisors for help in advance and solved problems together
●●🟧 Labor Law Violations to Watch For in Korean Part-Time Jobs and How to Respond
●✅ Not being paid the legal minimum wage
▶ Before starting, always sign a written employment contract and check your pay stub carefully
▶ If you are not paid, prepare your contract and supporting evidence and report it to the Ministry of Employment and Labor at 1350
●✅ Being forced to work extra hours
▶ You have the right to refuse extra tasks or overtime that were not agreed upon in advance
▶ If the pressure continues, immediately consult and report to the Ministry of Employment and Labor
●✅ Unfair dismissal
▶ If you receive a dismissal notice, immediately request the reasons in writing and, if you believe it is unfair, report it to the Regional Labor Relations Commission or the Ministry of Employment and Labor for assistance
[ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아-카페아르바이트/김지호]
→ Café part-time work in Korea – highly sought after by international students, requiring customer interaction, drink preparation, and improving Korean language ability
●●🟧 Work Intensity and Real-World Challenges in Korean Part-Time Jobs
●✅ Fast work pace
▶ Korean workplaces value speed and efficiency
▶ In service jobs like cafés, restaurants, and convenience stores, you need to move quickly during busy hours, which can be physically and mentally tiring
●✅ Strict time management and rule compliance
▶ You must be punctual for clock-in and clock-out
▶ Tardiness or absence is taken seriously, and repeated issues can harm relationships with coworkers and supervisors
▶ During working hours, stay focused on your duties except during designated breaks
●✅ Stress from language barriers
▶ With limited Korean, communicating with customers and collaborating with coworkers can be difficult and stressful
▶ Even if you can speak basic Korean, unexpected situations can still be hard to handle
●✅ High expectations for service quality
▶ Korean customers have very high expectations for service quality
▶ People may react sensitively to small mistakes or inexperienced responses, so work with constant attention and care
●✅ Tension from hierarchical culture
▶ Korean part-time workplaces tend to have clear hierarchies between supervisors and staff
▶ Instructions are direct and strict, and at first you may feel there is not much flexibility
●●🟧 Practical Advice to Do Well at Part-Time Jobs
●✅ Preparation and adaptability
▶ Learning basic Korean in advance reduces many on-the-job difficulties
▶ Before you start, study the workplace environment and workflows so you can adapt quickly
●✅ Proactive communication and relationship building
▶ If you face difficulties or have questions, ask coworkers or supervisors right away to prevent mistakes
▶ Spend time with coworkers during breaks or after work to bond, reduce stress, and adapt faster
●✅ Gradual skill improvement
▶ Don’t expect perfection from day one—raise your speed and skills step by step
▶ Listen to advice from Korean coworkers or supervisors and keep improving, and you will progress quickly
●✅ Turning it into a long-term positive experience
▶ Even if the beginning is hard, overcoming it greatly boosts your Korean ability and job skills
▶ This experience will be valuable later for employment or starting a business back home
●●🟧 Part-Time Work in Korea—The Workload Can Be A Bit High, But You Can Definitely Adapt
●✅ World-class service standards mean somewhat higher work intensity
▶ Korea has one of the highest service standards in the world
▶ That’s why part-time work can feel a bit more intense than in some other countries
▶ Everyone finds it hard at first, but to live in Korea you need to align with local standards and adapt
●✅ But it’s absolutely manageable
▶ You may struggle at first due to language barriers or cultural differences, but most people adapt naturally over time
▶ Many international students and workers also struggle at first, yet after a few months they manage without issues
●✅ A positive mindset matters
▶ A part-time job in Korea is not just about earning money—it’s a great chance to improve your Korean, understand the culture, and grow socially
▶ With an active and positive attitude, this experience becomes a strong asset for your future back home
●✅ Endurance is the answer—see it through to the end
▶ Most people who study while working part-time come from the middle class or below
▶ To reach your goals, you must not give up during tough moments—push through to the end
▶ Earning money means enduring difficult and unpleasant tasks, and using that money to do what you want—this is the essence of economic activity
▶ Your effort now will become a solid foundation for a better future in 10 or 20 years
📌 Hold on and persevere
If you endure and overcome the current challenges, this experience will become one of your most valuable assets and a powerful force that helps you achieve your dreams
●●🟧 BridgePlan Korea (BP Korea) is a consulting group that specializes in supporting foreigners with studying in Korea and adapting to life here
We provide structured and reliable guidance across the full spectrum of life in Korea — from student visas, university admissions, and scholarship information to housing, part‑time work, healthcare, and transportation
Official website 👉 https://bridgeplankorea.com/
BP Korea will be a dependable partner as you begin new challenges in Korea
We are always here to support your successful studies and life in Korea
📌This article was prepared with the help of a translation tool, and we sincerely apologize if any cultural expressions feel awkward or uncomfortable
→ Wine shop sales job – attractive part-time opportunity for foreigners with basic Korean, focusing on customer service and retail sales skills
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