Age
WHIC distinguishes Italy from agreements with different age limits. Reconfirm with the responsible office.
References: KR-WHIC
Italian passport / Working Holiday
South Korea Working Holiday for Italian citizens (2026)
Compare destinations, check requirements for your passport and prepare your next trip.
Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- 18–30 inclusiveLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Length of stay
- Up to 1 yearLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Initial funds
- At least KRW 3,000,000 + return travelLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Visa fee
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC KR-MILAN KR-ROME
- Annual quota
- 500 annually in WHIC 2026/27Learn moreReferences: KR-WHIC
- Application dates and timing
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC KR-MILAN
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: KR-ROME KR-MILAN
- Study
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: KR-ROME KR-MILAN KR-WHIC
- Work
- Duration needs clarification · up to 25 hours weekly in WHICLearn moreReferences: KR-WHIC KR-TREATY
Italy →South KoreaSouth Korea Working Holiday for Italian citizens (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and prepare your language
Length of stay
The programme is a holiday stay with incidental work. The responsible office must confirm your visa conditions.
References: KR-WHIC
Initial funds
WHIC gives this general reserve for initial expenses plus a return ticket or funds to buy one. The mission can request additional evidence.
References: KR-WHIC
Visa fee
WHIC says the fee varies by nationality; no amount was confirmed in accessible Italian mission extracts. Ask the mission before paying rather than using another passport’s charge.
Annual quota
An annual quota does not establish remaining places or whether an application can be submitted today.
References: KR-WHIC
Application dates and timing
WHIC describes general year-round acceptance, but an Italian mission calendar or appointment was not confirmed. An annual allocation does not establish that you can file today; prepare the dossier and follow consular instructions.
Language
The consulted Italian H-1 instructions establish no Korean score. Learning the language helps daily life but does not prove other visa requirements.
Explore language courses →Passport
Rome and Milan say at least 6 months remaining (Milan also says “more than 6”); WHIC says at least a year. Cautiously prepare at least a year and confirm with the responsible mission.
Insurance
WHIC requires appropriate health insurance throughout the stay. Confirm the mission’s required coverage.
References: KR-WHIC
Documents and participation
Milan requires a printed/signed e-form and original passport/ID with copies; WHIC also lists travel plan and financial, insurance, health and police evidence subject to mission requirements. Use the responsible checklist, not another country’s.
Step 2
Apply for the visa
- Check the Italy row in WHIC and instructions from the responsible Korean mission.
- Check whether Rome or Milan is responsible. Milan requires a printed signed e-form, original passport/ID and copies; completing the online form does not complete filing.
- Prepare travel plans, funds, ticket or return reserve, insurance and any further certificates requested.
- Submit through the stated procedure and wait for the decision before non-refundable payments.
Step 3
After approval
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
Prepare your trip
Prepare a Korean course within six months as a precaution for the official conflict; get written confirmation before purchasing a longer course.
Responsible mission confirmation
Confirm the complete current checklist with the responsible mission in Rome or Milan before applying.
Registration after arrival
WHIC requires Residence Card registration within 90 days of entry at the office responsible for your address, with an online reservation before visiting. Prepare passport, photo, form and housing/travel evidence; reconfirm checklist and charge. Ask immigration to clarify conflicting work and study limits.
References: KR-ARRIVAL
- Passport, visa and requested evidence accessible offline.
- Initial funds, insurance and departure costs checked separately.
- First accommodation and airport transport arranged.
A personal planning aid. Nothing is sent, and it does not assess visa eligibility.
Step 5
Start your Working Holiday
WHIC requires Residence Card registration within 90 days of entry at the office responsible for your address, with an online reservation before visiting. Prepare passport, photo, form and housing/travel evidence; reconfirm checklist and charge. Ask immigration to clarify conflicting work and study limits.
Work
WHIC’s table says six months without qualification, while indexed treaty text on Italy’s ministry site says six months with the same employer. Cautiously plan no more than six months total until Korean immigration clarifies; this precaution does not resolve the conflict.
Study
Official instructions differ: Rome says 6 months, Milan (8 April 2026 update) 12 months, and WHIC gives no limit in Italy’s row. Cautiously prepare courses within 6 months until the responsible mission confirms in writing. This is not a newly verified rule.
Explore language courses →Language courses · commercial service
Prepare your language skills for the 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.
Official instructions differ: Rome says 6 months, Milan (8 April 2026 update) 12 months, and WHIC gives no limit in Italy’s row. Cautiously prepare courses within 6 months until the responsible mission confirms in writing. This is not a newly verified rule.
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 →
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a twelve-month course?
First ask the responsible mission to clarify the six-versus-twelve-month conflict. The WHIC table does not authorize a regular degree.
References: KR-ROME KR-MILAN KR-WHIC
Explore language courses →Can I apply from Korea?
WHIC requires presence in the citizenship country at application and grant; Italian mission instructions require presence in Italy at filing.
Does six months concern all work or one employer?
WHIC’s table says six months without qualification, while indexed treaty text on Italy’s ministry site says six months with the same employer. Cautiously plan no more than six months total until Korean immigration clarifies; this precaution does not resolve the conflict.
Is six months passport validity enough?
Rome and Milan say at least 6 months remaining (Milan also says “more than 6”); WHIC says at least a year. Cautiously prepare at least a year and confirm with the responsible mission.
Can I use another nationality’s visa fee?
WHIC says the fee varies by nationality; no amount was confirmed in accessible Italian mission extracts. Ask the mission before paying rather than using another passport’s charge.
Do I need cover for the whole stay?
WHIC requires appropriate health insurance throughout the stay. Confirm the mission’s required coverage.
References: KR-WHIC
Does an annual quota establish availability?
An annual quota does not establish remaining places or whether an application can be submitted today.
References: KR-WHIC
Contacts and consular assistance
For requirements and your application, use the issuing authority’s official contact channels. For assistance to Italian citizens abroad, find the responsible office in the Italian Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic and consular directory. An Italian consulate does not decide the host country’s visa.
Find the Italian embassy or consulate ↗Official sources
Each source shows its own check date. Always check current requirements with the official government authority. Rules can change after consultation.
Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
KR-WHIC · Korea Working Holiday Info Center · General Information
Read the official instructions ↗Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
KR-ROME · Korean Embassy in Italy · H-1 instructions
Read the official instructions ↗Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
KR-MILAN · Korean Consulate Milan · H-1 updated 8 April 2026
Read the official instructions ↗Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
KR-TREATY · Italian Labour Ministry · Italy–Korea agreement
Read the official instructions ↗Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
KR-ARRIVAL · WHIC · Residence registration
Read the official instructions ↗Source checked on 2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.