How to find a job in Korea on a working holiday

Where working holiday makers actually find work in Korea, what employers will ask for, and how much Korean you need.

Last checked 2 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm anything important with the official source linked in the article.

Part-time work in Korea moves fast. Staff turn over quickly, interviews are short, and the person who replies first often gets the job. Here’s how to be that person.

Before you start looking

Have these ready, because almost every employer will ask:

Your ARC (residence card), or proof that you’ve applied for it
A Korean bank account for your wages. See Your first 7 days in Korea
A Korean phone number they can call or message on KakaoTalk
A short CV with a photo. Korean CVs normally include a photo, so add a friendly, simple one.

Also check that the job is allowed on your visa. See Which jobs can you do on an H-1 visa?

Where to look

Where	Language	Good for
Albamon (알바몬) and Albacheonguk (알바천국)	Korean	The biggest part-time job apps. Most café, restaurant and shop jobs are here
KOWORK	English and other languages	Foreigner-focused, lets you filter by visa type
Facebook groups for foreigners and working holiday makers in Korea	English	Guesthouse, hostel, bar and event jobs, and word-of-mouth leads
Walking in	Korean helps	Look for “알바 구함” or “직원 구함” (staff wanted) signs in windows
Guesthouses and hostels	English often fine	Reception and cleaning, sometimes in exchange for a bed

Job ads on any site can be scams or illegal work. Watch for the red flags in our H-1 jobs guide.

How much Korean do you need?

None or very little: guesthouses and hostels, some foreigner-run bars and restaurants, farm and harvest work, event and promotion staff, some kitchen jobs.
Basic Korean: most cafés, convenience stores and restaurants with Korean customers. Knowing numbers, greetings and the menu goes a long way.
Good Korean: office work, sales and customer-facing jobs.

Even a little Korean makes a big difference to how many replies you get. Mention in your application that you’re learning.

Applying and interviews

Message quickly. On the job apps, apply or send a KakaoTalk message as soon as you see a good ad.
Keep it short: your name, visa (H-1 working holiday), how long you can work, which days and hours you’re free, and any experience.
Interviews are usually brief, often 10–15 minutes and sometimes on the spot. Dress neatly and be on time.
You might be asked to do a trial shift. You should be paid for it.
Get a written contract (근로계약서) before you start, with your hourly pay, hours and payday.