Is It Possible to Get a Job in Korea From Overseas?
If you’ve ever dreamed of living and working in Korea but aren’t sure whether you need to already be in the country to land a job — good news: yes, it’s absolutely possible to get hired from overseas.
But (and there’s always a but), it depends on your field, your preparation, and how well you understand the Korean hiring system. As a Korean local, let me break it down in the clearest, most realistic way.
1. Who Actually Gets Hired From Abroad?
Some industries are much more open to recruiting international talent directly from overseas. These include:
- English teaching (E-2 visa): the most straightforward pathway
- Tech & engineering roles where global talent is in high demand
- Research, science, and advanced manufacturing
- Global marketing, translation, and localization roles
- Multinational companies operating in Korea
These employers already have systems in place for visa sponsorship and onboarding foreign workers.
2. Visa Sponsorship: The Key Factor
Most Korean companies won’t consider overseas applicants unless they can easily sponsor the appropriate visa. Common work visas include:
- E-2 (teaching)
- E-7 (specialty occupation)
- D-8, D-7 (corporate and investment)
- F-series visas (if you already qualify, like F-4)
When a company sees that sponsoring you is possible — and worth the effort — your location matters much less.
3. Korean Language Isn’t Always Required
Contrary to what many people assume, you can get hired while living abroad even if your Korean isn’t fluent.
- For teaching jobs: English fluency is enough.
- For multinational companies: English often functions as the working language.
- For tech roles: Korean helps, but your skillset matters more.
Of course, having TOPIK Level 3 or higher can significantly widen your options and make a stronger impression.
4. Remote Interviews Are the Norm Now
Korean companies used to insist on in-person interviews, but that’s changed.
Now, it’s perfectly normal to complete the entire hiring process online:
- video interviews
- skill tests
- contract discussions
- visa preparation
As long as you have a stable internet connection, you can progress through every stage from home.
5. The Resume Style Matters More Than You Think
Korean companies have their own expectations when reviewing applications. When applying from overseas, make sure your CV:
- highlights technical skills clearly
- includes quantifiable achievements
- is clean, straightforward, and easy to scan
- avoids overly long paragraphs
And if you want bonus points? Add your visa eligibility status at the top.
6. Where Overseas Applicants Actually Get Hired
Here are the platforms that foreigners abroad successfully use:
- job boards like Saramin, JobKorea, and PeopleNJob
- English teaching portals such as Korvia, EPIK, and GEPIK
- LinkedIn, where global companies recruit aggressively
- company career pages for big names like Samsung, Naver, Hyundai, and Coupang
7. But Let’s Be Honest…
Getting hired from abroad is possible — but not always easy.
You’re competing with:
- foreigners already living in Korea
- bilingual Korean locals
- applicants with Korean degrees
So you need something unique to offer: language skills, tech skills, teaching qualifications, or niche expertise.
8. The Bottom Line
Yes, you can absolutely get a job in Korea from overseas.
Thousands of foreigners do it every year.
The key is knowing your field, understanding the visa system, preparing the right certifications, and applying through channels that actually hire international candidates.
If you’re serious and strategic, Korea won’t feel so far away.
The Job Hunt Reality Check: 10 Reasons Foreigners Struggle to Find Jobs in Korea