South Korea: Working Holiday Visa Extended to Age 32
Discover how French and Belgian travelers can still benefit from South Korea’s Working Holiday Visa (PVT) up to age 32 until March 2024, including eligibility, requirements, and application steps.
The Working Holiday Visa (PVT) for South Korea offers young nationals of participating countries the chance to travel and work in the country for up to one year.
Each year, over 45,000 French and nearly 5,000 Belgians take advantage of this program to explore Korean culture, improve their language skills, and gain work experience.
Eligibility and Requirements for South Korea’s PVT
Before applying for the South Korea Working Holiday Visa, ensure you meet the following criteria:
Be aged between 18 and 30 years old inclusive for French and Belgian applicants. However, due to the pandemic, the age limit for French participants has been temporarily extended to 32 years old until March 15, 2024. Note that your age is determined by the date of your visa application, not your departure date. This means you can depart before the six-month validity begins and return close to your 34th birthday.
Hold a passport valid for at least six months (French applicants) or 15 months (Belgian applicants) from the date of your visa application.
Provide proof of at least €2,500 in savings, supported by bank statements.
Obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, repatriation, disability, hospitalization, and maternity care for the entire duration of your stay.
How to Apply for the South Korea Working Holiday Visa
For Belgian nationals, the visa application requires an in-person visit to the embassy, where fees are paid during the appointment. For French applicants, the process is currently completed remotely via an intermediary service. Follow these steps:
Visit the official visa application website;
Gather and prepare all required documents for your application;
Submit and finalize your application through the appropriate authorities.
The only fee for French applicants is the service intermediary charge of approximately €60. Note that the K-ETA is not required for a Working Holiday Visa, as this is already included in the application process.
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