Path to becoming a licensed guide

1A residence status that allows freelance work

WanderNao accepts the following: Korean citizenship, F-6 – married to a Korean, F-5 – permanent resident, F-2 – resident, F-4 – overseas Korean.

• Students (D-2) may only work part-time with a part-time work permit tied to a specific employer in Korea, so they cannot take guests as freelancers through WanderNao.
• After graduating in Korea, many switch to an F-2-7 visa (points-based; a Korean master's degree earns many points) or an F-2-R (regional visa). Exact conditions are decided by the Korea Immigration Service.
• E-7 holders may only work for their sponsoring company and cannot take guests as freelancers.

For exact visa answers: the immigration call center 1345 (Vietnamese available) or a 행정사 (administrative agent) office.

2Take the national tour guide exam (관광통역안내사)

• The exam is run by Q-Net (HRD Korea), usually once a year.
• Written exam in 4 subjects: Korean history, interpreting tourism resources, tourism law, introduction to tourism; then an interview.
• The foreign language part (Vietnamese) is replaced by a recognized language test score. Foreign applicants usually also need a TOPIK certificate at the required level.

Dates and requirements change every year: always check the latest exam notice on q-net.or.kr.

3Submit your documents on WanderNao

Once you meet both conditions, submit your alien registration card and guide license on the Guide Verification page. WanderNao usually reviews within 1–2 business days; once approved you can take bookings right away.