Student Visa and Stay Status
If you're planning to study in Korea, be sure to check the required visa information.
It's important to know in advance about visa types, application procedures, and necessary documents to ensure a successful study abroad experience.
Visa Application
Students wishing to study in Korea must prepare the necessary documents for entry after receiving an admission letter and obtain a student visa through the Korean Embassy or Consulate in their home country. To expedite the visa issuance process, the Korean government provides a "Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance" to all foreign applicants in most cases, making the visa application process smoother.
What is a Visa?
A visa, also known as a "sajeung" in Korean, is a document that certifies entry permission for a foreign national. Visas are typically issued by the consulate of the destination country in the applicant's country of departure, though they can sometimes be obtained in other countries. However, a visa is a prerequisite for entry and does not guarantee admission; final entry permission must be granted through an immigration inspection upon arrival in the destination country.
Application Institution
To obtain a visa, applicants must submit a visa application form along with documents required for their specific visa type to the head of a Korean diplomatic mission abroad (embassy, consulate general, or representative office).
Visa Types
- D-2: For international students enrolling in degree programs.
- D-4: For international students enrolling in non-degree programs (training).
Study (D-2)
For those intending to pursue regular courses at educational institutions offering associate degrees or higher, or engage in specific research activities, a D-2 visa is required.
- D-2-1
- Associate Degree Programs
- D-2-2
- Bachelor's Degree Programs
- D-2-3
- Master's Degree Programs
- D-2-4
- Doctoral Degree Programs
- D-2-5
- Research Programs
- D-2-6
- Exchange Students
- D-2-7
- Work-Learning Linked Study
General Training (D-4)
For those participating in training or research activities at institutions other than those qualified under the D-2 visa category, such as training institutions, companies, or organizations, a D-4 visa is required. However, if participants receive compensation exceeding living expenses from the training institution or meet specific conditions set by the Minister of Justice for industrial training, other visa types (e.g., short-term employment or research visas) must be obtained.
- D-4-1
- Korean Language Training
- D-4-2
- Foreign Language Training
The D-2 visa for international students allows a stay of up to 2 years per issuance, with varying extensions permitted depending on the program type.
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Associate Degree
Associate Degree: Up to 3 years after admission (up to 4 years for 3-year programs)
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Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree: Up to 6 years after admission (up to 7 years for 5-year programs)
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Master's Degree
Master's Degree: Up to 5 years after admission (up to 6 years for 3-year programs)
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Doctoral Degree
Doctoral Degree: Up to 8 years after admission (up to 7 years for 5-year programs)
Required Documents
To obtain a visa, applicants must submit a visa application form along with documents required for their specific visa type to the head of a Korean diplomatic mission abroad (embassy, consulate general, or representative office).
Study (D-2)
- 1. Copy of Passport
- 2. One Photo (passport-size, taken within the last 6 months)
- 3. Copy of Business Registration Certificate (or Certificate of Registration Number) of the Educational Institution
- 4. Standard Admission Letter (issued by the university president or dean)
- 5. Tuberculosis Test Result (if applicable)
- 6. Documents Proving Family Relationship (only if parents' bank statements are submitted)
- 7. Proof of Highest Education Level
- 8. Proof of Financial Ability
General Training (D-4)
- 1. Copy of Passport
- 2. One Photo (passport-size, taken within the last 6 months)
- 3. Copy of Business Registration Certificate (or Certificate of Registration Number) of the Educational Institution
- 4. Standard Admission Letter (issued by the university president or dean)
- 5. Certificate of Enrollment or Proof of Highest Education Level
- 6. Proof of Financial Ability
- 7. Training Plan
- Additional documents may be required depending on the program and your country,
so please check with the Korean diplomatic mission in your country before applying for a visa.
Visa Application Fees
When applying for a visa, a processing fee for the visa application form is required.
-
Single-entry Visa
- For stays of 90 days or less: approximately $40 USD.
- For stays of 91 days or more: approximately $60 USD.
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Multiple-entry Visa
- Multiple-entry visa valid for up to 2 entries: approximately $70 USD.
- Multiple-entry visa with no entry restrictions: approximately $90 USD.
Visa Screening and Issuance Results
Upon receiving a visa application, the head of a diplomatic mission abroad or the Minister of Justice can issue the visa.
However, a review will be conducted prior to issuance to ensure that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.
- Possession of a valid passport.
- Not being subject to entry prohibition or denial under Article 11 of the Immigration Act.
- Eligibility for the visa type under the Immigration Act Enforcement Decree.
- Providing a valid purpose of entry consistent with the visa type.
- Demonstrating intent to return to the home country within the permitted duration of stay.
- Meeting additional criteria specified by the Minister of Justice for the specific visa type.
Visa Cancellation
If a visa application is canceled after submission, the reasons will be reviewed.
- If the guarantor withdraws or is no longer available.
- If the visa was obtained through fraudulent means.
- If the applicant violates the conditions of the visa approval.
- If significant circumstances arise that prevent the visa status from being maintained.
- If the applicant violates the Immigration Act or other laws, or fails to comply with lawful instructions from immigration officers.
Issuance of Alien Entry Permit
Foreign nationals seeking entry into the Republic of Korea must possess a visa. However, nationals of countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Korea or those designated by the Minister of Justice in consultation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs may obtain an Alien Entry Permit from the head of a diplomatic mission abroad to enter the country.
Application Authority
To obtain an Alien Entry Permit, applicants must submit a visa application form along with the required documents to the head of a diplomatic mission abroad. (In cases of emergency or other unavoidable circumstances where it is not possible to obtain an Alien Entry Permit from the head of a diplomatic mission, the application can be submitted to the chief or head of the competent immigration office, branch office, or sub-office.)
Required Documents
The same documents required for visa issuance must be submitted.
Visa Fees
Fees may be paid in the local currency of the respective country if determined by the head of the diplomatic mission.
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Head of the Overseas Diplomatic Mission
- Equivalent to the visa issuance application fee.
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Head of the Regional Immigration Office
- 50,000 KRW
Review and Issuance of Alien Entry Permit
Once an application for an Alien Entry Permit is submitted, the head of the respective diplomatic mission obtains approval from the Minister of Justice to issue the permit.
Validity of the Alien Entry Permit
- The Alien Entry Permit is valid for three months and is effective for a single entry only.
- If a foreign student who entered Korea using the permit departs the country, immigration officers will collect the Alien Entry Permit upon departure.
Alien Registration upon Entry
- Foreign nationals planning to stay in Korea for more than 90 days must complete alien registration within 90 days of entry.
Source : Easy-to-Understand Living Legal Information https://www.easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?csmSeq=508&ccfNo=2&cciNo=1&cnpClsNo=1
