Fancy a year in Seoul that's not just a holiday? The South Korea Working Holiday (H-1) visa lets eligible Brits live, travel and pick up work for up to 12 months. It's one of the more generous schemes going, with an age limit stretched further for UK applicants than most nationalities get. Here's how it actually works.
- Who
- United Kingdom passport holders
- Age
- 18–35
- Stay
- up to 12 months
- Cost
- ~£45
What is the H-1 visa and who's it for
The H-1 is South Korea's working holiday visa, designed for young people who want to fund a longer stay through casual work rather than burning through savings. It's aimed at those wanting genuine cultural immersion, not just a two-week trip. The UK holds special-arrangement status, meaning you can apply up to age 35, rather than the standard cutoff of 30 that applies to many other nationalities. You must apply before your 36th birthday, so check your timing carefully if you're close to that line. It suits Brits who want flexibility: work a bit, travel a lot, and stay for up to 12 months rather than committing to a fixed job contract or study programme.
How to apply: steps and timeline
Applications go through the Korean Visa Application Centre (KVAC) in London, not a standard embassy visa desk, so check their specific documentation list before booking an appointment. The fee is around £45, modest compared to many other working holiday schemes. You'll need to show proof of funds to support yourself initially, plus evidence of an onward or return ticket, since Korea wants assurance you're not arriving with no way to leave or sustain yourself. Processing takes some weeks, so apply well ahead of your intended travel date. Gather bank statements, your itinerary, and passport details before your KVAC appointment to avoid delays or a second visit.
What you can actually do there
Once granted, the H-1 gives you up to 12 months in South Korea with permission to take up casual or short-term work to supplement your travels, alongside genuine sightseeing and cultural exploration. Think city breaks in Seoul, temple stays, hiking trips, and language exchanges, funded partly by part-time work rather than a stacked savings account. It's not designed for building a long-term career or settling into one employer for the full year, it's a holiday with working rights attached, not a work visa with holiday rights attached. Balance the two: earn enough to keep travelling, but don't lose sight of why you applied in the first place.
Tips and common mistakes to avoid
Common questions
Can UK citizens over 30 still apply for the South Korea working holiday visa
Yes. The UK has special-arrangement status, allowing applications up to age 35, higher than the standard age 30 cutoff many other nationalities face. You must apply before turning 36.
Where do UK applicants apply for the South Korea H-1 visa
Applications are made through the Korean Visa Application Centre (KVAC) in London, not a general embassy visa counter. Check KVAC's specific document requirements before booking your appointment.
How much does the South Korea working holiday visa cost for Brits
The visa fee is approximately £45. Budget separately for flights, initial accommodation, and living costs, since the fee itself is only a small part of overall trip expenses.
Kiera leads our working-holiday and visa coverage — the eligibility rules, the fees, and the fine print that actually decides whether you can go. She's most at home on the Australia and New Zealand routes and keeps it plain, with every number checked against the official government source.
Guidance only — youth-mobility rules, ages, quotas and fees change. Always confirm on the official government page before you book flights or apply.
Work & travel in South Korea
Sorted end-to-end — £50 off with code 18TO35TRAVEL.
Powered by Global Work & Travel · we may earn a commission on bookings.