South Korea has become a hot spot for international students, with over 270,000 now studying in the country a number expected to hit 300,000 within two years. But as enrollment surges, many graduates find a frustrating gap between their education and real job opportunities.
Take Siddhi Konduskar from Mumbai. What started as a love for Korean pop culture turned into a full-blown career goal. After earning a bachelor’s degree in film and media in India and working there for five years, she moved to Seoul to study Korean language and literature. Today, Konduskar holds two diplomas from Korean institutes and is working in the booming entertainment sector as a creative producer.
But her path wasn’t smooth. “The hardest part has been how differently my work experience is valued here versus back home,” she told The PIE News. “Korean companies, especially the big ones, have strict hierarchical systems. No matter what skills you bring, you’re expected to start at the bottom and prove yourself again.”
Her experience reflects a widespread problem. Han Sang-shin, director of Korea’s National Institute for International Education (NIIED), recently told The Korea Times that international students and employers remain “disconnected,” trapped in a system that offers no clear path from graduation to employment.
“The mismatch is frustrating,” said Sang-shin. “Students want to work, companies need talent, but unclear processes, lack of outreach, and siloed institutions create endless obstacles.”
The international student population has jumped nearly 15% in the past year alone, rising from about 209,000 in April 2024 to over 275,000 by May 2025. In fact, in 12 major universities across Korea, international students now make up over 20% of all enrollments. A recent survey by the Korea Federation of SMEs revealed that more than 90% of these students want to stay and work in South Korea after graduating.
“International students bring valuable global connections to fields like trade, entertainment, and healthcare,” said Jeesuk Kang, a higher education expert and director of academic relations at ETS Korea.
But opportunity is still limited by visa hurdles. The survey found that two-thirds of international students struggle to get the E-7 visa, which is required for professional jobs in areas like IT, engineering, education, and entertainment. This visa depends on employer sponsorship and comes with complex paperwork and strict rules.
By contrast, the E-9 visa is a simpler route mostly for low-to-medium skilled workers, making it less suitable for highly qualified graduates. Konduskar shared that many employers either don’t understand the E-7 process or see it as “extra work,” so they steer clear.
“Even graduates with internships and strong Korean language skills often lose job offers when HR departments hesitate over visa demands or salary rules,” said Kyuseok Kim, Seoul director for IES Abroad. “Some companies want to hire foreigners but worry about cultural gaps or communication issues. Sadly, international workers often face subtle biases or doubts about fitting in.”
Kim added that smaller companies especially avoid hiring international graduates due to fears of compliance risks, limited visa knowledge, and uncertainty over wage requirements. This is a big missed opportunity since these students could fill critical roles in cutting-edge sectors like AI and semiconductors.
South Korea’s demographic crisis only adds to the urgency: with a record-low fertility rate of 0.75 and a shrinking workforce expected to halve by 2070, fewer young Koreans enter traditional labor-heavy industries. This pushes competition for white-collar jobs even higher among both local and international candidates.
“Korean graduates have a tough time, so employers often see local hires as ‘safer’ bets,” Konduskar said. “Domestic workers get promoted faster because they understand the culture, while foreigners must constantly prove their worth.”
Kang also pointed out that Korea lacks a clear visa category for internships, limiting international students’ chances to gain practical experience. Current student visa rules restrict working hours, and no official system exists for companies to legally hire students during breaks.
Still, the landscape is slowly improving. NIIED has partnered with major job sites like Saramin and JobKorea and is collaborating with international student groups to provide better support and job info. But dropout rates for international students hit 7.1% last year, and 17.6% overstayed their visas illegally signs of deeper systemic issues.
With universities aiming to host 300,000 international students by 2027, Kang suggests stronger career services within campuses and innovative ideas like a “talent book” showcasing top graduates’ profiles to employers.
“South Korea must build clearer pathways and break down barriers, or it risks losing out on the incredible talent coming here,” Kang said. “The potential is huge, but the system needs to catch up.”
In the middle of rapid growth and demand, international students like Konduskar continue to push through challenges, hoping South Korea will soon open its doors fully to their skills and dreams.
