Starting work or study

Work and study are the axes that hold a settled life up. Getting your visa and your contract clear before you start prevents a lot of problems later.

The short version

Before you start work or study, confirm two things: that your visa allows it, and that your contract and enrollment are in writing.

Last verified: 2026-07-24

1
Confirm your visa allows it
Employment or part-time work can be restricted by your status of stay. Confirm it is allowed before you start.
2
Get the terms in writing
Hours, pay, duties and duration go in a contract. For study, confirm the enrollment terms in writing.
3
Check how pay, tax and insurance work
Ask how tax is deducted, whether you join the four major insurances, and when payday is, in advance.
4
If a problem comes up, rely on your records
Documents and records give you something to stand on if a dispute arises later. Keeping them from the start is the safe move.

근로계약geullo-gyeyak· employment contract: The contract that sets your working terms. Get it in writing.
체류자격cheryu-jagyeok· status of stay: The visa category that decides whether you can work.
4대보험sadae-boheom· four major insurances: National pension, health, employment and industrial accident insurance.
원천징수woncheon-jingsu· withholding tax: Tax taken out of your pay in advance.

Doing work your visa does not allow can put your stay at risk. Always confirm first.
A verbal-only agreement leaves you nothing to stand on in a later pay or duties dispute. Put it in writing.

If contract, visa and tax get tangled and are hard to judge alone, a person who can help with settling in more broadly may be worth it.

Rules, fees and deadlines change and depend on your exact case. Please confirm the details with the official sources before you act.