Certificate of Career in Korea (경력증명서) in English: Proving Past Work Experience
What a Korean certificate of career (경력증명서) shows, what Korean law says about issuing it after you leave, and a free form for an English or Korean-English version.
A certificate of career (경력증명서, gyeongnyeok jeungmyeongseo) is issued by a Korean employer to confirm the period you worked there, your department, position and duties. It is often needed for jobs abroad, immigration and graduate programs.
What the law says
- Even after the worker leaves, the employer must promptly issue a truthful certificate about the period of employment, type of work, position, wages and other necessary matters if the worker asks (Labor Standards Act, Article 39).
- It may contain only the items the worker requested (Article 39, paragraph 2).
- Workers who worked 30 days or more in a row can ask for it within 3 years after leaving (Enforcement Decree, Article 19).
What it usually contains
| Section | Typical items |
|---|---|
| Company | Name and address in Korean and English, business registration number, representative |
| Employee | Name (Korean and passport spelling), date of birth (optional), status (current or former), employment type, start and end dates |
| Career history | Rows of period, department and position; final department and position; duties in Korean and English |
| Only if requested | Final annual salary, reason for leaving |
| Issue | Date of issue, issuer, seal or signature |
Make one for free
Our English certificate of career form prints Korean–English side by side or an English-only letter. The screen is in Korean with English labels in brackets; nothing is uploaded.
Open the certificate of career form →
Still employed? Use the certificate of employment (재직증명서) guide.
FAQ
I left my Korean employer. Can I still get a certificate?
Yes. Article 39 of the Labor Standards Act applies after you leave. Under Article 19 of the Enforcement Decree, a worker who worked 30 days or more in a row can request it within 3 years after leaving.
Will it show why I left?
Only if you ask. Article 39(2) says the certificate contains only the items the worker requested. Our form shows the reason for leaving and the final salary only when they are filled in.
What is the difference from a certificate of employment?
A certificate of employment (재직증명서) confirms you work there now. A certificate of career (경력증명서) lists past periods, departments, positions and duties, and is used after you leave or when you need your work history.
Related guides
- Certificate of Employment in Korea (재직증명서) in English: What It Includes and How to Make One
- Korean Employment Contract (근로계약서) in English: Terms Your Employer Must Put in Writing
Legal sources: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, National Law Information Center (law.go.kr), checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the current text for important matters.
What every billing document should show
- Your business name, address and tax ID (VAT, GST, ABN or EIN where required)
- The customer’s name and address
- A unique, sequential number and the issue date
- Clear line items with quantity, unit price and amount
- Tax shown separately, and the total in a stated currency
Tax rules differ by country. If you are VAT- or GST-registered, your tax authority may require extra details on invoices (for example the tax rate per line and the customer’s VAT number for business sales).
Last reviewed: October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.