Korea Working Holiday Now Possible Twice! Latest Policy Change and Guide [2025 Edition]

Until now, Korea's working holiday visa was a system that could be obtained “only once in a lifetime.” However, in October 2025, a revision by the Korean government made it **possible to apply up to twice if conditions are met**, drawing great attention.

As culture such as K-pop, Korean dramas and Korean food grows in popularity worldwide, more and more young people want to “stay and live like a local” through study abroad or short-term work. This revision responds to that demand and is a chance to deepen your Korean language study and your life experience on the ground.

In this article, we explain in plain terms **the latest information on getting a second Korea working holiday, its benefits, points to watch and ways to use it**.

Korea's working holiday visa is **a system that lets young people aged 18 to 30 live, work and travel in Korea for up to one year**. It operates under bilateral agreements with each country, and young people from many countries, including Japan, are eligible.

Main Features

• **Length of stay**: Up to 1 year
• **Work**: Possible under certain conditions, such as short-term and part-time jobs (full-time and professional work are restricted)
• **Study**: You can also study Korean at a language institute, etc.
• **Travel**: Experience living while moving freely around Korea

Previous Restrictions

Until now, the Korea working holiday was **a visa that could be obtained only once in a lifetime**. So even if you thought, “I want to stay longer” or “I want to try again,” it was not possible.

Impact of the Policy Change

The 2025 revision, which made it **possible to apply for a second working holiday if conditions are met**, is great news for young people who want to learn more deeply about Korean culture.

2-1. Growing Popularity of Korea Among Young People

In recent years, K-culture such as K-pop, Korean dramas and Korean food has boomed worldwide, and the number of young people who want to experience life in Korea has risen sharply. There was growing demand not only for language study abroad but also to “actually live in Korea while working.”

2-2. Comparison With Other Countries' Systems

In Australia and Canada, multiple working holidays are possible if conditions are met. Korea, too, is making its system more flexible in line with the international trend, aiming to attract more young foreigners.

2-3. Promoting Tourism and Exchange

The Korean government aims to be a tourism-oriented nation and has set increasing the number of visitors to Korea as a policy goal. Working holiday participants stay longer than tourists, contribute to regional economies and spread Korean culture, so the government expects even greater effects by allowing a second stay.

2-4. Supporting Learning and Career Development

It is not uncommon for people who studied Korean during their first working holiday to want to stay again to improve further. The policy change makes it possible to “relearn” and “build up career experience,” leading to deeper exchange and skill development.

4-1. A Chance to Relearn

Even if you felt during your first working holiday that “my Korean did not improve as much as I expected” or “I want to study a little longer,” you can try again on the second. You can re-enroll at a language institute or take on a more advanced Korean exam, giving you **a learning opportunity to step up**.

4-2. An Advantage for Building Your Career

Even if you mainly did part-time work the first time, on the second you can try internships or jobs that use specialized skills. For example:

• First time -> Part-time customer service at a cafe or restaurant
• Second time -> Short-term internship at an IT company or in tourism-related work In this way, it is appealing that **you can build career experience step by step**.

4-3. Experience Korea's Diverse Regions

Even if your first stay is centered on Seoul, on the second you can try living in regional cities such as Busan, Daegu and Jeju Island. By experiencing the atmosphere of different cities and how people live, you can understand Korea from more angles.

4-4. Expand Your Network

By making new companions and friends again on your second working holiday, you can build **a wider and deeper personal network** between Korea and Japan. It may benefit your future work, studies and even your life planning.

4-5. Cultural Exchange Between Japan and Korea Advances

Because Koreans can now also do two working holidays in Japan, two-way exchange becomes more active. Exchange between “Japanese who stayed in Korea twice” and “Koreans who stayed in Japan twice” also leads to developing **people who will shape international relations in the next generation**.

5-1. Details Are Still at the Announcement Stage

The revision allowing “two times” is big news, but **detailed conditions and application rules may differ by country**. In particular, you will need to check future official announcements on questions such as “can I get two years in a row?” and “how many years must pass before a second one is possible?”

5-2. Watch the Age Limit

As a rule, working holidays are available **up to age 30** in both Japan and Korea. Therefore, if you obtain your first at age 29, you may not fall within the age range to apply for a second. If you are aiming for a second, **planning your age and timing** is important.

5-3. Quotas and Competition

In both Korea and Japan, the working holiday visa each year has **an issuance quota**. In years or seasons when demand is concentrated, the quota may fill up early, so those who want a second also need to prepare their applications early.

5-4. Rules During Your Stay Do Not Change

Being a second time does not relax the work restrictions.

• Full-time employment is not allowed
• Part-time work is possible with conditions
• The main purpose must be study and cultural exchange The basic constraints are the same as for the first time.

5-5. Preparing Costs and Living Funds

For a second working holiday as well, **proof of sufficient living funds** is expected to be required. Also, even though you are more experienced than the first time, taking your funding plan lightly could cause trouble in daily life there.

5-6. Where to Check the Latest Information

• In Japan -> Official website of the Embassy/Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Japan
• In Korea -> Official website of the Embassy of Japan in Korea
• Working holiday pages of each country's foreign ministry By checking these regularly, you can prepare correctly without being misled by false information.

6-1. Australia

• One of the most popular working holiday destinations in the world.
• **Up to 3 times possible** (with conditions such as farm work and regional work).
• Easy to stay long-term, with a wide range of language improvement and career-building opportunities.

6-2. Canada

• It may be possible to participate in the working holiday program multiple times (depending on nationality and program quotas).
• The appeal is an environment where you can learn both English and French.

6-3. New Zealand

• As a rule, only once.
• Popular with people who value nature experiences and outdoor living.

6-4. Korea (After This Revision)

• **Up to 2 times possible**.
• It is close to Japan, and living costs are relatively low.
• With the introduction of a “twice” system that is rare in other parts of Asia, its appeal as a working holiday destination increases further.

6-5. Japan (For Koreans)

• Under this revision, Koreans can also do **two working holidays in Japan**.
• They can take on Japanese study and short-term work experience at Japanese companies again, so the system has evolved into one that deepens exchange between young people in Japan and Korea.

7-1. Combine Study and Work Step by Step

• **First time**: Attend a language institute in Seoul while doing part-time work at a cafe or convenience store.
• **Second time**: Live in a regional city (Busan, Jeju, etc.) and try tourism-related work or an internship. With the flow of “study -> work,” it is easy to feel your growth.

7-2. Broaden Your Regional Experience

Live in a big city the first time and enjoy a slow life in the countryside the second time; by **changing the theme of your stay**, you can experience Korea's diverse culture.

7-3. Connect to Your Future Career

• Consider getting a job at a Korean company
• Prepare for entering a Korean graduate school
• Take on Japan-Korea business using your Korean It is also effective to use the working holiday as a “run-up period for your career.”

7-4. Build a Japan-Korea Network

Through two working holiday experiences, you gain more Japanese and Korean friends and colleagues and can have **an asset of two-way exchange**. It will be a great strength in work, study and international exchange in the future.

7-5. Combine With Working Holidays in Other Countries

It is expected that more people will take on working holidays in Australia or Canada after completing two Korea working holidays. By gaining experience in both Asia and English-speaking countries, you can broaden **an international career path**.

Under the 2025 revision, Korea's working holiday visa can now be obtained **up to twice**. This not only widens opportunities for Japanese to study, work and experience culture in Korea, but also lets Koreans do two working holidays in Japan, making it **a groundbreaking change for both Japan and Korea**.

• **Benefits**: Relearning, career building, broader regional experience, stronger networks
• **Points to note**: Age limit, issuance quotas, and work restrictions do not change
• **Strategy**: Separate the purposes of the first and second times, change regions, and link it directly to your career

A working holiday is not just a stay visa; it is **a “hands-on program” that expands the possibilities of your life**. With this revision as a catalyst, richer exchange and learning are expected in both Korea and Japan.

For the latest information, be sure to prepare while checking the **official websites of embassies and consulates**.

Note: This page organizes general information in an easy-to-understand way. Always check the latest official requirements on the official information of each country's embassy or consulate.