What is alba (알바)?
Alba is the word every part-time worker in Korea uses. Here is what it means, what alba jobs look like, and how foreigners find one.
The word
알바 (alba) is short for 아르바이트 (areubaiteu), borrowed from the German Arbeit. It simply means a part-time or shift job. Someone who does alba is an 알바생 (albasaeng); the boss is the 사장님 (sajangnim); hourly pay is 시급 (sigeup).
Alba is how most students, working-holiday makers and new arrivals earn in Korea. Shifts are usually 4–8 hours, and many places hire on the spot after a short phone call or visit.
Typical alba for foreigners
Pay and rules in one minute
The 2026 minimum wage is ₩10,320 per hour. Ask for a written contract (근로계약서), confirm pay day and break time, and never pay a fee to get a job. Read the Safety Center →
Questions about alba
Is alba the same as a part-time job?
Yes. Alba (알바) is the everyday short form of areubaiteu (아르바이트), which Korean borrowed from the German word Arbeit. It means any hourly or shift-based job.
What are the most common alba for foreigners?
Café and restaurant crew, convenience store staff, warehouse and logistics packing, factory line work, hotel housekeeping and event staff. Many need no Korean or only basic phrases.
How is alba paid?
Usually per hour (시급), sometimes per day. It can never legally be below the minimum wage, and 15+ hours a week earns weekly holiday pay (주휴수당). Albadari shows the pay first on every job card.
Can I do alba on a student visa?
D-2 students usually need part-time work permission from immigration and have weekly hour limits. Check the ‘Can I work?’ guide on Albadari and confirm on HiKorea.