South Korea•Asia14-28 days
40 USD
2 years
Yes
Required
Not Specified
No
Not Required
For foreign nationals receiving industrial or technical training at Korean companies or institutions.
The Industrial Trainee (D-3) visa was established by the South Korean government to facilitate the transfer of industrial technology and technical skills to foreign nationals. It primarily serves as a mechanism for Korean companies with overseas operations or those exporting technology to provide structured, hands-on training to their foreign counterparts or employees. The visa aims to strengthen international economic cooperation by standardizing the technical proficiency of workers associated with Korean industrial standards.
This visa is ideal for technical staff, engineers, or skilled workers who need to master specific Korean industrial processes or equipment. It is particularly suited for individuals employed by foreign companies that have a technical cooperation agreement with a Korean entity or those working for overseas branches of South Korean corporations. It bridges the gap between academic study and professional employment by focusing on the practical application of technology.
A distinguishing feature of the D-3 visa is its focus on practical, industrial environments rather than academic institutions. Unlike general training visas, the D-3 requires a rigorous training plan approved by the relevant Korean ministry, ensuring that the stay is dedicated to skill acquisition within a specific industrial sector. The visa is strictly regulated to ensure that the training does not devolve into unauthorized low-skilled labor.
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Must be an employee of an overseas subsidiary, joint venture, or partner firm of a Korean industrial company.
The Korean host company must have a qualifying business relationship (e.g., overseas direct investment, technology export contract of at least USD $100,000, or industrial plant export of at least USD $500,000).
The trainee must be a production-level worker (not a manager or administrator).
The training must be necessary and involve skills that cannot be acquired outside of Korea.
The host company must be a registered industrial establishment (기술연수업체).
Trainee must be between 18 and 40 years old.
Must have at least 3 months of experience with the local overseas entity.
Must meet Korean language proficiency requirements (e.g., TOPIK/KLAT level 2) or provide an interpreter/language training agreement.
Job Offer
Required
Education
none or higher
Valid passport and visa application form with photo.
Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서).
Home company's registration or establishment certificate.
Letter of employment from the home company confirming the trainee's production-staff role.
Proof of qualifying business relationship (e.g., overseas investment report, technology export contract, or plant export documents).
Training plan detailing the contents and environment.
Proof of Korean language proficiency or interpreter/training agreement.
Documents proving the host company's status as an authorized training company and number of permanent domestic workers.
Identity guarantee and proof of insurance (workers' compensation, health, etc.).
| D-3 Industrial Trainee Visa Application | — |
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