- Thai graduates in Korean Studies can now stay and work in South Korea for up to three years.
- Financial proof and point-based visa requirements have been eased for qualified applicants.
- The move aims to strengthen education and workforce exchange between the two nations.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand has announced relaxed visa rules for Thai nationals seeking job opportunities in South Korea, particularly for those skilled in the Korean language. The updated measures apply to job-seeking (D-10) and employment (E-7) visas, creating a smoother pathway for young Thai graduates to work and build careers in South Korea.
Under the revised guidelines, applicants under 29 with a bachelor’s degree in Korean language or Korean studies and a TOPIK Level 6 certification no longer need to submit financial proof or meet the previous 60-point requirement for the D-10-1 job-seeking visa. Their maximum stay period has also been extended from one year to three years.
The changes come after the Korean Embassy in Bangkok proposed easing restrictions to support Thai students specializing in Korean studies. Currently, 28 universities in Thailand offer such programs.
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The E-7 employment visa has also been simplified. Thai applicants proficient in Korean will now be exempt from field-of-study and work-experience checks. Additionally, graduates under 29 with science or engineering degrees from QS-ranked Thai universities and TOPIK Level 2 will gain bonus points in their visa evaluation and be eligible for a three-year stay.
Ambassador Park Yong-min said the reforms aim to expand career opportunities for Thai youth while deepening workforce cooperation between Thailand and South Korea.
