Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Hungary

Working Holiday 

What is the Working Holiday Program?

The Korea-Hungary Working Holiday agreement, signed in April 2013, provides a unique opportunity for young Hungarians to learn more about the Korean language and culture. Thanks to this program, young people from the two countries can spend up to one year in the territory of the other country, where they can engage in education, leisure-time activities, language learning, travelling and they can also get a temporary job.

Where can I apply?

You need to apply for a Working Holiday visa at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (Budapest).

What are the conditions of applying for a Working Holiday visa?

• Hungarian citizenship, Hungarian residence.
• One person can only apply for the WHP visa once.
• When applying for the visa, you have to be over 18 but under 30 years old.
• You have to enter the partner country within 12 months after issuing the
• After entering, you can stay for up to 12 months in the country.
• You cannot be accompanied by a relative.
• The H-1 visa is primarily for travelling and tourism purposes; you can only start looking for employment after you enter the country.
• Annually, up to 100 persons can participate in the program.

What do I need for the visa application?

• Certificate of clean police record.
• Certificate of good health (issued by general practitioner).
• Proof that you have a valid return tiket to leave the country or the financial means to buy it.
  • One-way ticket must be presented (if you do not have a return ticket when you apply, you have to prove that you have enough money to buy it.)
  • E.g. bank account statement or salary certificate issued by your employer.
• Proof of having the financial means to stay in the country.
  • You can also prove this by presenting a bank account statement. We estimate that you will need approximately 3,000 USD(4,000USD for those who have an one-way ticket) during your stay, but we are flexible about this issue.
    If you do not have your own bank account, you can also present your parents’ bank account statement, but in this case, you also need proof of the family relationship.
• Full coverage health insurance policy for the entire length of your stay.
  • Travel insurance policy valid for 12 months.
  • Coverage : 30,000 EUR minimum.
• Valid passport.
• 1 photo
• Completion of the visa application form and payment of the visa fee.
  • You can either complete the visa application form at the Embassy or you can download it from the Embassy’s homepage. You can only pay the visa fee in cash. The WHP visa allows multiple entries, so the visa fee is 32,400 HUF (equivalent of 90USD).
• Letter of recommendation (written by professor, supervisor or government official)*
  • This is optional
  • If you have a letter of recommendation, we can be more flexible about issuing the visa, but it is not obligatory.

Is it possible to interrupt my stay?

You can enter the country multiple times during the validity of the visa.

Is it possible to extend this visa?

No, the visa cannot be extended and you cannot apply for a different visa during your stay.

Can I get a job?

Yes, you are allowed to find employment during your stay in the partner country. With the H-1 (visit and employment) visa, you can work legally during your stay to be able to cover your expenses.

Recommended pages:

• Statement by the Hungarian foreign ministry:

  About Hungary - Latest news about Hungary

• Information pages of the Korean Working Holiday Information Centre:

  http://whic.mofa.go.kr/eng/

• An article by Kitekintő.hu on the Working Holiday program:

  Dél-koreai-magyar együttműködés: Working Holiday Program indul – Kitekintő.hu (kitekinto.hu)