The Hong Kong/Korea Working Holiday Scheme was established on 1 January 2011 with both sides providing an annual quota of 1,000. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong requires applicants to provide a financial proof of HKD 25,000 (equivalent to USD 3,000) for maintenance during their stay in Korea.
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Successful applicants will be issued a working holiday visa by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, allowing them to stay in Korea for up to 12 months. They can take up short-term employment of not more than six months with the same employer and/or enrol in one short-term course of up to six months during the authorized period of stay. Details and application forms can be obtained from the following websites:
http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/hk-en/wpge/m_1505/contents.do
http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/hk-en/index.do

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Participants are required to take out suitable medical (including repatriation), hospitalisation and/or liability insurance before departure to cover the possible related costs incurred abroad.

Detailed arrangements of the Scheme may vary from time to time. Applicants are advised to check with the Consulate before application
The official tourism website of Korea introduces various aspects of Korea. Information on travel, transportation, accommodation as well as food and shopping is abundant to help travelers plan their trips.
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Scenic Highlights
Thanks to the "Korean waves" which has swept across Asia in recent years, Korea has become influential in the global entertainment and fashion industries. As the capital of the country, Seoul offers numerous affordable shopping venues for the fashionistas, including Dongdaemun shopping centre and the Myeongdong district. Insadong, on the other hand, specializes in traditional Korean crafts and arts like hanbok and pottery.
Seoul is also the home to the "Five Grand Palaces", "Eight Gates" and many other historical establishments built in the Joseon Dynasty. These majestic structures allow visitors to appreciate the beauty of traditional architecture.
Besides cosmopolitan cities like Seoul and Busan, Korea also has a tranquil side for those who wish to sit back and relax. For instance, Jeju Island, an island locating at the southern tip of the country, hosts the highest mountain in Korea – Hallasan – and offers picturesque scenery with volcanic landscapes and white sand beaches.

Dining
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Spices and sauces play an important role in Korean cuisine, so traditional dishes mostly come with a strong flavour. The cuisine is also characterized by having lots of side dishes prepared with different cooking methods like stir-frying, grilling and braising. Kimchi (seasoned and fermented vegetables), a staple of the local diet served in almost every meal, has a variety of over 100 types to date and individual Korean household usually has their own recipes.
Korean dishes are often viewed to have a high health value due to the frequent use of vegetables and healthy condiments like garlic and ginger. Ginseng chicken soup and bibimbap (rice with meat and assorted vegetables) are two nutritional delicacies widely enjoyed by the tourists.

Map
An array of useful maps of Korea can be found at
http://www.korea.net/Resources/Useful-Info/Map

According to the bilateral working holiday scheme established between HKSAR Government and the Korean Government, working holidaymakers can take up short-term employment of not more than six months with the same employer during their stay in Korea.
You are free to apply for a wide range of jobs in Korea according to your working experience and language skills. However, you cannot engage in some job categories that are against the spirit of the scheme or Korean national law. More information can be obtained at http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/hk-en/wpge/m_1505/contents.do.
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Examples of job searching websites are provided below:
http://global.seoul.go.kr (Seoul Global Center)
https://www.theworknplay.com/ (Worknplay)
https://www.kotra.or.kr/ck_eng/index.do (Contact Korea)

Know your work rights
Working holidaymakers are protected by the law of Korea. They should be aware of the relevant labour legislation in Korea and be cautious in dealing with the terms and conditions laid down in the employment contracts.
The minimum wage in Korea is 9,860 won per hour in 2024 and the "40-hour workweek system" is applied to the country. Moreover, working holidaymakers shall be aware that working hours on Saturday will be considered as extended hours, thus the hourly wage shall be calculated on the basis of: 9,860 x 1.5=14,790 won. The Korean Government also restricts all working holiday participants to work for no more than 1,300 hours a year during their stay in Korea.
Additional information on relevant labour legislation and protection can be found at the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) website at www.moel.go.kr/english/. Working holidaymakers can seek assistance from the Working Holiday Info Centre established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at http://whic.mofa.go.kr/eng/.

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Working Holidaymakers are reminded that information about work conditions and labour laws of the respective host economies provided in this webpage are for reference only and subject to change. For comprehensive and updated information, please refer to the relevant government websites of the respective economies.

According to the bilateral working holiday scheme established between HKSAR Government and the Korean Government, working holidaymakers can enrol in one short-term course of up to six months during their stay in Korea.
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Korean language classes are popular among working holidaymakers, and some of them are even free-of-charge. Learn more from the websites of Seoul Global Centre and Korea Foundation.
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Korea offers a range of accommodation to suit your needs and budget, from rented or serviced apartments, to traditional "Hanok" (Korean homes). Youth hostel is one of the budget-friendly options you may consider.
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Learn more about the accommodation options in Korea at the following websites:
http://whic.mofa.go.kr/contents.do?menuNo=115&contentsNo=52
https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/planYourTravel/travelInfo/subAccomodation.do?menuSn=180
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Korea has a comprehensive public transportation network that makes it easy and exciting to explore cities on a flexible schedule. You may choose to travel around by domestic flight, rail or express bus to different destinations. Major Korean cities have subway as well.
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For more information about travelling in Korea, please visit https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/planYourTravel/travelInfo/subTransportation.do?menuSn=179.

Korea has distinctive differences among the four seasons, with a hot summer season from June to September, and a cold winter from November to March. Various flowers cover the nation's mountains and fields in Spring. Autumn lasts from September to November. During this time, the country experiences sunny weather, with cobalt blue skies and spectacular foliage. Winter can be bitterly cold but it is a good time for skiing.
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To know more about the weather in Korea, please visit the following website:
https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140636&menuSn=462

Here we have gathered a number of hands-on tips to facilitate your trip planning and settling in Korea. If you have done a working holiday in Korea and have a tip or two to share, please email your thoughts to whsu@labour.gov.hk!
  • Koreans are impatient and rushing all the time, so they may bump into other people along the streets
  • Koreans do not share tables, not even in fast food restaurants. So do not just sit down on an empty chair
車厘(2013-2014)
Garbage sorting is important and garbage needs to be placed in designated bags (charged). The major categories are general (일반쓰레기, non-recyclable materials like tissue), paper, glass, cans and kitchen waste (음식물쓰레기). Each category has a specific collection schedule so be aware
車厘(2013-2014)
  • Keep an eye on the latest statutory minimum wage – it has been modified a lot these years
  • You can find jobs via the Korean job-searching websites. Be aware that Seoul Global Center also organises job fair designated for foreigners in specific months
Joyce (2014-2015)
  • Check the facebook pages of the metropolitan governments and provincial governments for news of local happenings/events/celebrations
  • Korea does not offer a second-year visa to the working holidaymakers. You can get at most a one-month extension (proof is required)
Joyce (2014-2015)
When looking for accommodation, do a site visit if possible and do not judge only by the photos online. Seek help from locals/friends who have experience when signing contracts, so as to avoid getting into a fraud or conflict.
Iris (2011-2012)
Basic etiquette
  • Do not hold the rice/soup bowl in your hand during the meal
  • Use honorific language when speaking to older/more senior people
  • Use both hands when pouring alcohol or holding the glass, and when passing something to the elders
Fion (2011-2012)

Note: The useful tips provided in this webpage are the authors' own opinions and for reference only. Working holidaymakers are advised to research thoroughly and check up for updated and verified information before departure.

Emergency Hotlines in Korea
Police
Telephone: 112

Fire & Ambulance
Telephone: 119

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services
24-hour Hotline: (8610) 12308

Immigration Department of the HKSAR
Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit
24-hour Hotline: (852) 1868

Labour Department of the HKSAR
General Enquiries - Working Holiday Scheme
Email: whsu@labour.gov.hk