Age
The age range applies at application. Also check residence, previous participation and all other conditions for your passport.
References: KR-WHIC
Irish passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in South Korea for Irish citizens (2026)
Requirements and practical preparation for your Working Holiday in South Korea. Start with the summary, then follow the five stages.
Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
The Dublin mission Working Holiday page returned a redirect loop on 18 October 2026. Official search-index text supports personal filing and ordinary Irish residence, but current local checklist, fee and appointment method require direct confirmation. No new source check was fabricated.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- 18–34 inclusiveLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Length of stay
- Up to 12 monthsLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Initial funds
- At least KRW 3,000,000Learn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Visa fee
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Annual quota
- 800 per year (2026/27 table)Learn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Application dates and timing
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Study
- Language courses up to 6 monthsLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Work
- Up to 25 hours per weekLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
Ireland →South KoreaWorking Holiday in South Korea for Irish citizens (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
The granted visa or permit determines your stay. Check the separate deadline for entering the country; submitting an application does not grant permission to travel.
References: KR-WHIC
Initial funds
Prepare at least KRW 3,000,000 for initial living expenses, plus a return/onward ticket or separate money to buy one. This is not the whole cost of the trip.
References: KR-WHIC
Visa fee
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: KR-WHIC
Annual quota
800 per year (2026/27 table)
References: KR-WHIC
Application dates and timing
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: KR-WHIC
Language
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: KR-WHIC
Explore language courses →Passport
Valid for at least one year
References: KR-WHIC
Insurance
Whole stay; at least KRW 40,000,000 cover
References: KR-WHIC
Documents and participation
Confirm the Irish application instructions with the Korean mission in Dublin. Prepare funds, insurance, travel plans and the health/character/education evidence requested.
References: KR-WHIC
Step 2
Apply through the official route
The Dublin mission’s indexed Irish guidance requires personal filing and ordinary residence in Ireland. Confirm its current appointment method and checklist directly: the mission page redirected in a loop during this review. General WHIC conditions do not establish the local filing method.
- Check Irish citizenship, ordinary residence, age 18–34 and first participation against the Dublin mission guidance.
- Confirm the current Irish checklist, appointment, fee and evidence directly with the Korean mission before making bookings.
- File personally as the mission instructs; use the Irish conditions rather than another passport’s funds or work exceptions.
- Wait for the visa and check its entry deadline, weekly work restriction and language-study conditions before travelling.
Step 3
Read your approval and entry conditions
Read the entire approval notice: identity, dates, entry deadline and conditions. Keep it available offline. Do not assume the visa starts on your preferred date.
Step 4
Get ready for the trip
Budget departure costs separately from initial funds and arrange full-stay insurance. Confirm the mission’s required evidence and any difference from general WHIC amounts before purchase; a language course does not change your visa category.
- Passport, visa and requested evidence accessible offline.
- Initial funds, insurance and departure costs checked separately.
- First accommodation and airport transport arranged.
Step 5
Start your Working Holiday
For a long stay, register for a Residence Card at the local immigration office within ninety days after arrival. Confirm the official appointment and documents. Keep the general twenty-five-hour weekly work limit and Irish six-month language-course limit in mind.
Work
The current general guidance permits up to 25 hours per week. The nationality row does not set a separate total employment-period limit. Confirm your actual conditions with the application authority.
Study
The Irish row limits language study to six months. This is not permission for a regular university degree.
Explore language courses →Language courses · commercial service
Plan a language course for your trip.
Through ViveCampus you can request language-course quotes with international-student discounts. Offers may vary by your country of origin and destination. A personalized quote confirms available discounts and the final price. Booking a course does not guarantee a visa.
The Irish row limits language study to six months. This is not permission for a regular university degree.
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Australia →
- Working Holiday in New Zealand →
- Working Holiday in Canada →
- Working Holiday in Japan →
- Working Holiday in Hong Kong →
- Working Holiday in Taiwan →
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
- Working Holiday in Chile →
- Working Holiday in Andorra →
Frequently asked questions
What age applies to Irish applicants?
The Irish row is 18–34 inclusive, not another passport’s age range.
How much can I work?
General guidance limits work to twenty-five hours per week. Confirm any conditions printed on your visa.
Can I study for a degree?
The Irish language-course allowance is up to six months; it is not permission for a regular university degree.
Does the annual quota prove a place is available?
No. The 800 annual allocation is not remaining availability.
Where do I confirm the Irish application procedure?
With the Korean mission in Dublin. Local filing requirements remain to be checked directly before applying.
What do I organise after arrival?
For a long stay, obtain Residence Card registration through local immigration within ninety days.
Official sources
Source research includes checks from 16 and 18 October 2026. Check current requirements with the official government authority; individual check dates appear below.
KR-WHIC · Korean government - Working Holiday guidance
Source checked: 2026-10-16. Check current requirements with the official government authority.
Read the official instructions ↗IE-KR-ARRIVAL-18 · Korean WHIC · Residence card after arrival
Source checked: 2026-10-18. Check current requirements with the official government authority.
Read the official instructions ↗