After GKS Graduation
This is the page GKS promotional materials won't link to. A widely cited figure says only 8.2% of GKS alumni get employed in Korea. Samsung's entry exams are in Korean. E-7 work visa sponsorship is a long, Korean-language paperwork process.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
2 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
The D-10 job-seeking visa
After graduation, you can switch to a D-10 visa, which can give you up to about 2 years, in renewable stages, to find employment in Korea. Sounds generous. In practice, it is a race against the clock with the odds stacked against you.
Korean companies prefer Korean-speaking candidates for nearly all positions. Even "English-speaking" roles at global companies like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai require Korean for internal communication. Samsung's GSAT entry exam? Entirely in Korean. There is no English version.
"If they hire foreigners, it's usually for executive positions, not entry-level. They want 10+ years of experience, not a fresh graduate from GKS." — GKS alumni career counselor
The E-7 work visa nightmare
Even if you find a company willing to hire you, sponsoring an E-7 visa is a bureaucratic marathon. The official guidance is reportedly over 100 pages long and in Korean. Your employer needs to prove no Korean candidate could fill the role. The paperwork takes months. Many companies simply refuse to go through the process.
The nationality disparity is stark. Scholars from developed countries or those with niche technical skills have better odds. Sub-Saharan African scholars report the worst job prospects: one reported estimate puts it at only 0.5 out of 10 securing employment in Korea. NIIED does not publish employment rates by nationality.
Realistic post-GKS paths
The most common and most successful path. Korean companies operating in your home country value Korean-educated alumni. Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and others have offices worldwide.
Continuing to a PhD buys time and strengthens your profile — but note that current GKS-G rules bar former GKS degree scholars from a second GKS award, so you'll usually need a university or lab-funded position or another scholarship.
Teaching English or your native language, or doing Korean-language translation, are common fallback options. Not what most scholars planned, but it keeps you in Korea.
Possible, but it requires a minimum capital investment and a solid business plan. Not easy for recent graduates.
Plan ahead
Start thinking about post-graduation from day one. Network during your studies, not after. Build Korean language skills aggressively. The few who get hired are usually the ones who planned years in advance. Also consider alternative scholarships if Korea is not the right fit.