Visa and Residency Information

To study in Korea, you need the appropriate visa. Degree programs (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) require a D-2 visa, while language training requires a D-4 visa. Since the period of stay, permitted part-time work hours, and conditions for converting to a work visa differ by visa type, choose carefully.

This visa is for pursuing a university degree program (associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral). Anyone who wishes to earn a formal degree in Korea must obtain a D-2 visa.

Issuance Requirements and Required Documents

• Standard Admission Letter (issued by the university, original)
• Proof of financial capacity (bank balance certificate of the applicant or parents, approximately $10,000-$20,000 or more)
• Proof of academic background (graduation certificate and transcript from your most recent school - in English or notarized)
• Passport copy and passport-sized photo
• Visa application form
• Health examination certificate (required by some countries)

Visa Issuance Procedure

1. Receive the university admission letter (Standard Admission Letter)
2. Prepare the visa application documents (proof of finances, proof of academic background, etc.)
3. Apply for the visa at the Korean embassy/consulate in your home country
4. Visa issued after review (usually takes 1-4 weeks)
5. Receive your passport with the visa sticker affixed, then enter Korea

This visa is for learning Korean at a university-affiliated language institute or participating in a non-degree training program. If your purpose is language training rather than a formal degree program, the D-4 visa is appropriate.

Issuance Requirements and Required Documents

• Language training enrollment confirmation or admission letter (issued by the language institute)
• Proof of financial capacity (bank balance certificate, approximately $5,000-$10,000 or more)
• Proof of most recent education (high school or university graduation certificate)
• Confirmation of payment of language training fees
• Passport copy and passport-sized photo
• Visa application form

Visa Application Procedure

1. Receive the language institute admission letter (issued by the language institute)
2. Prepare the visa application documents (proof of finances, proof of academic background, etc.)
3. Apply for the visa at the Korean embassy/consulate in your home country
4. Pay the visa fee ($50-$80 USD, varies by country)
5. Visa issued after review (usually takes 2-4 weeks)
6. Receive your passport with the visa sticker affixed, then enter Korea

Start preparing your documents two months before enrollment. You must apply for the visa within 90 days of the admission letter being issued.

Period of Stay and Extension

Initially issued for 6 months to 1 year, extendable up to a maximum of 2 years (in 6-month increments)

Alien registration is the most important procedure for staying in Korea legally. The Alien Registration Card (ARC) serves as an ID and is essential for many aspects of daily life, such as opening a bank account and activating a mobile phone.

How to Apply (2 methods)

• ① Online reservation: Book a visit on Hi Korea (www.hikorea.go.kr), then visit the immigration office
• ② University group submission: Some universities process applications collectively through the international office (be sure to check with your school)

Required Documents

Processing time: approximately 2-3 weeks (may exceed 4 weeks during peak season)

Where the Alien Registration Card Is Used

• As an ID when opening a bank account
• Signing up for a postpaid mobile phone plan
• Applying for part-time work permission
• Registering as a member at libraries, gyms, etc.
• Verifying your identity when using medical facilities

If your purpose or program changes during your studies, you must also change your status of stay. A change of status must always be applied for before your current visa expires.

D-4 → D-2 Change (the most common case)

This applies when you finish language training (D-4) and advance to a Korean university degree program (D-2). It is the path most international students take.

Required Documents

• Integrated application form (download from Hi Korea)
• Passport and Alien Registration Card (originals)
• University Standard Admission Letter
• Language institute attendance record and transcript
• Language institute completion certificate (if available)
• Proof of financial capacity (bank balance certificate, etc.)
• Fee: 135,000 KRW (100,000 KRW for the change of status of stay plus 35,000 KRW for the new alien registration card — Article 72(5) and 72(10) of the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act)

D-2 → D-10 Change (job seeking after graduation)

To prepare for employment in Korea after graduating from university, you must change to a D-10 (job-seeking visa). It allows job-seeking activities for up to 2 years.

• Graduation certificate or certificate of expected graduation
• Transcript
• Job-seeking activity plan
• Résumé
• Proof of financial capacity

D-10 → E-7 Change (employment)

Once you secure a job, you change from D-10 to an E-7 (specific activity) visa. An employment contract and a letter of employment recommendation from the company are required.

Where to apply: visit the competent immigration office or apply online via Hi Korea (only some changes can be done online)

Processing time: approximately 2-4 weeks (may vary depending on the review)

If your period of stay expires during your degree program, you need to apply for an extension. Unlike a change of status, an extension of the period of stay keeps the same visa type and only extends the duration.

How to Apply

• Online: Hi Korea (www.hikorea.go.kr) - the most convenient
• In person: the competent immigration office (reservation required)

Required Documents

Extendable Duration

• D-2: up to 2 years per extension (until the expected graduation date)
• D-4: up to 6 months to 1 year per extension (maximum of 2 years in total)

If you move or change your residence, you must report it. This also applies when moving from a dormitory to a studio apartment, or to another region.

How to Report (3 methods)

• ① Online: Hi Korea (www.hikorea.go.kr) - the most convenient and fastest
• ② Visit a community service center: the center for your new residence (processed on the spot)
• ③ Visit the immigration office: convenient when handling other business at the same time

Required Documents

• Change of residence report form (fill out on-site or download from Hi Korea)
• Passport (original)
• Alien Registration Card (original)
• Proof of your new residence (one of the following)

Fee: free

Processing time: online immediately to 1 day; completed on the spot when visiting a community service center

International students can also work part-time legally if they meet certain conditions. However, you must obtain part-time employment permission before working. Working without permission counts as illegal employment and may result in penalties such as visa cancellation and forced departure.

Permission Requirements

• Holders of a D-2 or D-4 visa
• D-2-1 to D-2-4 (associate, bachelor, master, doctorate), D-2-6 (exchange student), D-2-7 (work-study) — may apply with no waiting period
• D-4-1 (Korean language training), D-4-7 (foreign language training), D-2-8 (visiting student) — only after six months from the date of the status change, or from the date of entry for those who arrived on the visa
• Korean proficiency proved by a TOPIK level, a completed stage of the Social Integration Program, or a King Sejong Institute course (your level decides your permitted hours)
• Verification by the international student office at your school
• The law fixes no specific attendance or grade figure — the thresholds come from the Ministry of Justice screening guidelines and from each school, so check with your international student office. The hour tiers are laid out in the part-time work permit guide.

Permitted Hours (in force since July 2023)

※ Korean proficiency is proved by a TOPIK level, a completed stage of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program, or a King Sejong Institute course. If you additionally qualify through enrolment at a certified university, academic excellence or high Korean proficiency, the weekday limit rises to 30 and 35 hours respectively. Master’s and doctoral students preparing a thesis are capped at 30 hours a week, and the unlimited-hours rule for weekends, public holidays and vacations does not apply to them. The level requirements and the prohibited industries are set out in the part-time work permit guide.

How to Apply for Permission

• Part-time employment permission application form
• Passport and Alien Registration Card (originals)
• Certificate of enrollment (current semester)
• Transcript (previous semester)
• Employment contract or confirmation of prospective employment
• Fee: 20,000 won (permission for activities outside the status of stay normally costs 120,000 won, but for part-time work by D-2 and D-4 holders it is 20,000 won — Article 72(2) of the Enforcement Rule of the Immigration Act)

Processing time: approximately 3-7 days (for online applications)

Popular Part-Time Jobs Among International Students

• Convenience stores, cafés, and restaurant serving
• On-campus work-study positions (library, administrative office, etc.)
• Interpretation/translation work
• Private tutoring (teaching your native language, etc.)
• Logistics centers and delivery (during vacation)

To work in Korea after graduating from university, you need a work visa. Employment is not possible on a study visa (D-2); you must go through a job-seeking visa (D-10) and then change to a work visa (such as E-7).

D-10 (Job-Seeking) Visa

This is for international students who wish to seek employment in Korea after graduation. As the step before obtaining a work visa, it allows you to conduct job-seeking activities legally.

Required Documents

• Integrated application form
• Passport and Alien Registration Card
• Graduation certificate or certificate of expected graduation
• Transcript
• Job-seeking activity plan
• Résumé
• Proof of financial capacity (bank balance certificate)

Period of stay: initially 6 months, extendable up to a maximum of 2 years (extensions in 6-month increments)

Activities Permitted on a D-10 Visa

• Job-seeking activities (interviews, attending job fairs, etc.)
• Internships (up to 1 year, separate permission required)
• Skills training and vocational education
• Part-time work (part-time employment permission required)

E-7 (Specific Activity) Visa

This is the most commonly issued visa for professional employment. The requirements differ depending on the occupation.

Comparison of Major Work Visas