Korean Student Visa (D-2 & D-4): Full Guide for International Students

You got your admission letter. Now you need the right visa. But which one — D-2 or D-4? What documents do you need? How much money must you show? And what small mistake can get your application refused?

This is one complete guide to the Korean student visa. It covers the two main student visas (D-2 and D-4), the documents, the fees, the timeline, and what to do after you arrive.

GoKorea Study is not an agency. We do not place students, take commission, or sell visas. This guide is free information in simple English. We want you to understand the rules and then verify them yourself.

This article is information only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Visa rules change by country, by year, and by your own situation. Before you apply, always confirm the current rules with HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr), the Korea Immigration Service, and your Korean embassy or consulate. If those sources disagree with this guide, follow the official notice for your application year.

The Short Answer: D-2 or D-4?

Here is the simple rule.

Choose D-2 (Study Abroad Visa) if you are enrolled in a degree program — associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate — at an accredited Korean junior college, university, or graduate school. D-2 also covers research students, exchange students, and short-term (summer/winter) students at a regular school.

Choose D-4 (General Training Visa) if you are doing training that is not a degree — most often a Korean language course. The main type, D-4-1, is for people (high school graduate or above) taking a Korean language course at a university-affiliated language institute (대학부설 어학원).

In one line:

• D-2 = degree student.
• D-4 = language trainee or other non-degree student.

Both require you to plan to stay in Korea for more than 90 days. Both need proof that you can pay tuition and living costs. But the money amount, the work rules, and the future paths are different — so do not mix them up.

One more thing: a D-4 language visa does not automatically become a D-2 degree visa. You have to apply to change it — with attendance records, the right Korean level, and a new application.

Read more: D-4 Language Study Visa

The D-2 Student Visa (Degree Study)

Who Is It For?

D-2 is for foreign nationals accepted to study full-time at an accredited Korean academic institution recognized under Korean law. The sub-codes are:

• Associate degree (D-2-1)
• Bachelor's (D-2-2)
• Master's (D-2-3)
• Doctoral (D-2-4)
• Research student (D-2-5)
• Exchange student (D-2-6)
• Work-study / dual-education (D-2-7)
• Short-term study, such as summer or winter school (D-2-8)

Note: studyinkorea.go.kr lists D-2-1 through D-2-7. D-2-8 (short-term study) appears on some Korean embassy visa pages — confirm the exact sub-code label in the latest official manual.

D-2 Documents

The common D-2 document set includes:

• Completed visa application form with a passport photo
• Passport valid at least 6 months
• Certificate of admission (표준입학허가서 / Standard Admission Letter) from your Korean school
• The school's business registration certificate
• Certificate of your final or highest education completed (this may be waived if the host university holds IEQAS certification, but it is required for applicants from certain higher-risk nationalities)
• Proof of financial ability, such as a bank balance certificate and a recent bank transaction statement (this may be waived for students at IEQAS-certified universities)
• Tuberculosis (TB) test result, if you are from a designated country
• For exchange or short-term students: a letter confirming enrollment at your home school

The exact document list varies by the Korean embassy or consulate and by your nationality. Always check your embassy's checklist.

How Much Money for D-2?

For a degree program, financial proof is commonly reported at about 20,000,000 KRW in a bank balance certificate. For universities in provincial regions facing enrollment shortfalls, the eased figure is about 16,000,000 KRW. This standard changed to a Korean-won base in the 2023 student-visa reform.

Important: financial proof is often waived for students at IEQAS-certified host universities. The exact amount depends on your country, the university's certification, and your application year — so confirm the current figure with your embassy and on HiKorea.

D-2 Duration of Stay

The D-2 visa is usually issued as single-entry with about 3 months validity to enter Korea. Once inside, the permitted stay per grant is generally up to 2 years, aligned with your program.

Your total stay is capped by program level:

• Associate degree: up to about 3 years (4 for a 3-year program)
• Bachelor's: up to about 6 years (7 for a 5-year program)
• Master's: up to about 5 years (6 for a 3-year program)
• Doctoral: up to about 8 years

These caps come from studyinkorea.go.kr. Confirm the current figures in the latest official manual.

D-2 Application Fee

The D-2 visa fee is not fixed in our source data because it varies by embassy, nationality, and reciprocity. Some nationalities are exempt. Check the fee with your Korean embassy or consulate before you apply.

Read more: Financial Proof for a Korean Student Visa

The D-4 General Training Visa (Language Course)

Who Is It For?

D-4 is for foreign nationals who want training in Korea that is not covered by the study (D-2) visa. The biggest group is language trainees.

Main sub-codes:

• D-4-1 — Korean language training at a university-affiliated language institute (the main language-student code)
• D-4-2 — institutional training (some labels vary — confirm)
• D-4-3 — foreign students in Korean elementary, middle, or high schools
• D-4-6 — trainees at approved private education institutes (exact scope not fully confirmed)
• D-4-7 — foreign language training

Sub-code labels can differ between the manual and consulate lists. Confirm the exact code in the latest official manual.

To qualify, you need a confirmed place at an approved or certified institution, and you must prove you can pay tuition and living costs. Applicants from countries or institutions with high illegal-stay rates face stricter (intensive) screening.

D-4 Documents

• Visa application form with photo
• Passport
• Application fee
• Certificate of admission or enrollment from the language institute (표준입학허가서 or 등록증)
• Copy of the institution's business registration or unique-number certificate (사업자등록증 / 고유번호증)
• Proof of financial ability — a bank balance certificate (은행 잔고증명서) in your own name, held for at least 1 month; OR a parent's balance certificate plus family-relationship documents (such as a birth certificate) and the sponsor's proof of income
• Proof of academic background (such as a high school diploma)
• Tuition payment receipt, where required
• Documents proving the source of funds

Overseas-issued bank and family documents usually need apostille or Korean consulate confirmation. The exact list varies by embassy and by whether the institution is a certified (IEQAS) university.

How Much Money for D-4?

After the 2023 reform, D-4 language trainees must show about 10,000,000 KRW (roughly USD 10,000). Provincial or regional universities with enrollment shortfalls eased this to about 8,000,000 KRW for language trainees.

Again, confirm the exact current amount on HiKorea, because it changes and depends on your situation.

D-4 Duration of Stay

Under the Immigration Control Act, the maximum stay per entry for D-4 is up to 2 years. In practice, language institutes and immigration usually grant 6 months to 1 year at a time, matching your course term, and you renew it by extension.

D-4 Application Fee

A single-entry visa at an embassy is about USD 60, and it varies by nationality and reciprocity (some nationalities are exempt). Domestic HiKorea fees (in KRW) include a Certificate of Visa Issuance about 30,000; the part-time work permit is fee-exempt. (Registration, extension, and change-of-status fees are covered in the sections below.) Confirm current fees on HiKorea.

Read more: D-4 Language Study Visa

How to Apply at the Embassy

You apply for a Korean student visa at a Korean embassy or consulate in your country (a 재외공관 / overseas mission), before you travel to Korea.

1. Get admission. Your Korean school issues the certificate of admission and, in many cases, applies for a Certificate of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서) on your behalf through HiKorea.
2. Prepare your documents. Follow your embassy's checklist exactly — financial proof, education documents, and any TB test if required for your country.
3. Submit to your Korean embassy or consulate. Exact steps depend on your nationality and the mission.
4. Wait for processing. For D-2, processing is commonly about 1–2 weeks, and can be a few business days after a Certificate of Visa Issuance is obtained (one embassy states 4 working days). For D-4, embassy processing is roughly 2–4 weeks and varies by mission and season.

Processing times are estimates, not guarantees. Apply early. Do not book non-refundable flights until you hold your visa.

After You Arrive: Alien Registration (Your First 90 Days)

Getting the visa is only the start. Once you are in Korea, you must register.

Who Must Register

Any foreign national who plans to stay in Korea for more than 90 days must complete Alien Registration and receive a Residence Card (외국인등록증). This includes all D-2 and D-4 students.

Note: the official English name of the card changed from "Alien Registration Card (ARC)" to "Residence Card" — the word "Alien" was dropped. The Korean name (외국인등록증) is unchanged, and you may still see both English terms in use.

The 90-Day Deadline

You must register within 90 days of your date of entry into Korea. If you will stay longer than 90 days, register before that 90-day period ends.

Apply early — within your first few weeks. Reservation slots on HiKorea fill up fast, especially at the start of each semester. You also need the Residence Card before you can open a bank account or get a long-term phone plan.

Registration Documents

• Completed Integrated Application Form (통합신청서, Form No. 34)
• Passport (original)
• One color passport photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm, taken within the last 6 months)
• Certificate of enrollment or admission (재학증명서 or 표준입학허가서) from your school
• Proof of residence/address in Korea (dormitory confirmation, lease, or accommodation confirmation)
• Application fee
• In some cases, a health/TB certificate depending on nationality and visa

Biometric data (fingerprints and a facial photo) is collected in person at the office.

Registration Fee

The Residence Card issuance fee is 35,000 KRW (raised from 30,000 KRW on 1 January 2025, because new cards contain an embedded IC chip). A reissue for a lost or damaged card is also 35,000 KRW.

The Mobile Residence Card

Since 10 January 2025, the Ministry of Justice issues a mobile Residence Card (모바일 외국인등록증). Registered foreign residents aged 14 and over, with a smartphone in their own name, can install the Mobile ID app and use it with the same legal effect as the physical card.

Do Not Miss the Deadline

Registering late can lead to a fine — and in serious cases, up to 1 year imprisonment or up to 10 million KRW, plus possible entry-record consequences. Register on time.

Read more: ARC: Your First 90 Days in Korea

While You Study: Work and Extension Rules

Part-Time Work

A student visa does not automatically let you work. You must get part-time work permission (시간제취업 / 체류자격 외 활동허가) through HiKorea before you start any job. Working without this permit is illegal employment.

For D-2 degree students, the rules require at least 6 months of study (for status-changers) and a Korean-ability threshold. The weekly hour caps (per the Ministry of Justice manual, in force since July 2023) are:

• Without the Korean-ability standard met: undergraduate 10 hours/week; master's and doctoral 15 hours/week.
• With the Korean-ability standard met: undergraduate 25 hours/week (30 at IEQAS-certified universities, for top academic performers, or for Korean-excellent students); master's and doctoral 30 hours/week (35 certified).
• Weekends, public holidays, and vacations have no hour limit.
• Manufacturing part-time work is allowed only with TOPIK level 4 or higher.

The Korean-ability standard for D-2: undergraduate years 1–2 = TOPIK 3; undergraduate years 3–4 = TOPIK 4; master's and doctoral = TOPIK 4. Accepted equivalents include KIIP levels and Sejong Institute levels.

For D-4-1 language trainees, part-time work is allowed only after you meet the conditions: at least 6 months of stay since entry or status change, and Korean ability of TOPIK level 3 or above (or an accepted equivalent such as KIIP or a Sejong Institute level). The official easylaw manual figure is up to 10 hours on weekdays, with weekends, holidays, and vacation not counted toward the weekday cap. Because caps were revised in the 2023 reforms, confirm the current weekly cap on HiKorea before you rely on any number.

The key point: D-2 and D-4 have different work rules. Do not assume a language student can work the same hours as a degree student.

Read more: Part-Time Work on a Student Visa

Extending Your Stay (Extension of Sojourn Period)

Your Residence Card and stay permission have an expiry date. To keep studying past that date without changing your status, you apply for an Extension of Sojourn Period (체류기간 연장허가) at your local immigration office or via HiKorea.

Apply before your current period of stay expires. Applying after the expiry date means you have overstayed, which brings a fine and can harm future applications.

Common documents:

• Integrated application form (통합신청서, Form No. 34)
• Passport
• Residence Card (외국인등록증)
• Proof of your residence/address in Korea
• Fee

For D-2 and D-4 students, you typically also need a certificate of enrollment (재학증명서), an academic transcript (성적증명서) and/or attendance record (출석증명서), and proof of financial ability.

Immigration reviews your recent attendance rate and grades. Poor attendance or low grades can block or complicate an extension. Staying enrolled and going to class is part of staying eligible.

The extension fee is 60,000 KRW in person. Online e-applications via HiKorea receive a discount (reported around 48,000–50,000 KRW; the exact discounted amount is not confirmed here — verify on HiKorea). Government- or publicly-invited national scholarship students are exempt.

One 2026 change to note: from 2 January 2026, applicants who reserve an immigration-office visit for a stay extension must pre-report employment information online via HiKorea during the reservation — job type, business type, and annual income.

Read more: How to Extend Your Student Visa

After Graduation: Your Next Steps (D-10 and E-7)

Many students want to stay in Korea and work after they graduate. You cannot work a full-time job on a student visa, so you change your status. The two most common next steps are D-10 and E-7.

D-10 (Job-Seeking Visa)

D-10 lets you stay in Korea to prepare for professional employment or a technology startup. Most people reach it by changing from a D-2 student visa after graduation.

Two main tracks:

• D-10-1 — general job seeking. It uses a points table (out of 190), needing at least 20 basic points and at least 60 total. Some groups are exempt from the points test, including graduates of a Korean university who hold TOPIK level 4 or higher obtained within 3 years of graduation.
• D-10-2 — startup or technology preparation, such as completing an OASIS startup-immigration course or holding a Korean patent.

A 2025 reform (effective 29 October 2025) improved D-10:

• Total D-10 stay extended from 2 years to 3 years.
• Per grant raised from 6 months to up to 1 year.
• Single-company internship limit raised to up to 1 year, and the overall cumulative internship cap was abolished.
• A new company-tailored internship track, K-Trainee (기업 맞춤형 인턴십), was created.

Money: roughly 900,000 KRW per month for 6 months (about 5,400,000 KRW total) — though financial proof is generally waived if you are changing from a D-2 student visa.

Important: D-10 does not let you work a normal job. It permits job search plus limited part-time work and internships (with permission). To take a real job, you move to a work visa.

Read more: D-10 Job Seeker Visa

E-7 (Designated Professional Work)

E-7 is a real work visa. You get it after a Korean employer hires you for one of the occupations officially designated by the Minister of Justice (about 87 occupations across four skill tiers).

Typical baselines: a bachelor's degree related to the job; OR an associate degree plus about 1 year of related experience; OR about 5 years of related work experience. Sub-codes include E-7-1 (professional), E-7-2 (semi-professional), E-7-3 (general skilled), and E-7-S (advanced tech). On E-7, you may work only in the specific approved occupation, generally for the sponsoring employer.

The common graduate path looks like this:

D-2 (student) → D-10 (job-seeker) → E-7 (work) → F-2 (residence) → F-5 (permanent residence).

You can also go D-2 → E-7 directly if you already have a qualifying job offer.

Read more: From Student to Employee: D-2 to E-7

How the Change Happens (Change of Status)

Moving from one status to another inside Korea is called a Change of Status of Sojourn (체류자격 변경허가). It is a procedure, not a visa. You must apply while your current status is still valid and while you are physically inside Korea — not at an embassy abroad.

The standard change-of-status fee is 100,000 KRW (an F-5 target costs 200,000 KRW), with about a 10% discount for HiKorea online applications. Some sources mention a 2026 fee increase, but it was not confirmed on an official notice — verify the current fee on HiKorea.

Do not start the new activity (such as full-time work) before the change is approved. And do not wait until after graduation to act — a graduated D-2 has only a short remaining window.

Common Mistakes That Get Student Visas Rejected

Mistake 1: Depositing Money Just Before Applying

Financial-proof balances are expected to have been held for a period (often about 1 month). A sudden large deposit right before you apply can be rejected.

Mistake 2: Working Before You Have the Permit

Starting a part-time job before your work permit is approved is illegal employment and can cancel your stay. Get the HiKorea permit first.

Mistake 3: Letting Grades or Attendance Drop

Immigration checks attendance and grades at extension. Poor performance can block your extension or your later switch from D-4 to D-2.

Mistake 4: Confusing D-2 and D-4

D-2 is for degree study; D-4 is for language and other non-degree training. They have different money, work, and path rules. Choose the correct one.

Mistake 5: Assuming D-4 Becomes D-2 Automatically

It does not. Moving from a language visa to a degree visa needs an attendance record, the required Korean level, and a new application.

Mistake 6: Choosing a Restricted University

Some universities are placed under visa-issuance restrictions after a government review. On the 2026 IEQAS results, 20 universities were designated for visa scrutiny — barred from issuing new student visas for one year starting the fall 2026 semester. Applying to a restricted school can get your visa refused. Check the certified-university list on studyinkorea.go.kr.

Mistake 7: Missing the 90-Day Registration Deadline

Register for your Residence Card within 90 days of entry. Missing it brings a fine and possible legal consequences.

Mistake 8: Applying to Extend After You Expire

Apply for extension or change of status before your current stay expires. After the expiry date, you have overstayed, and the domestic procedure may no longer be available.

Why We Say "Verify" So Often

Visa rules in Korea change often. Amounts, work hours, and fees were all revised in recent reforms. What was true last year may not be true this year, and what is true for one country may not be true for yours.

Some students lose time and money by copying an old process, following a social media comment, or trusting a paid agent without checking the official notice. We do not want that for you.

Use this guide to understand the logic — D-2 vs D-4, documents, money, work, extension, and the path after graduation. Then verify the exact rule for your year, country, visa type, and university.

Official truth first. No commission. No visa sales. No shortcut promises.

FAQ

What is the difference between a D-2 and a D-4 visa? D-2 is for degree students (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral) and also research, exchange, and short-term students at a regular school. D-4 is for non-degree training, most often a Korean language course at a university-affiliated language institute. Both need you to plan to stay more than 90 days.

How much money do I need to show for a Korean student visa? For a D-2 degree program, financial proof is commonly about 20,000,000 KRW (about 16,000,000 KRW for some provincial universities). For a D-4 language course, about 10,000,000 KRW (about 8,000,000 KRW provincial). Amounts may be waived at IEQAS-certified universities and change by year and country. Confirm on HiKorea and with your embassy.

Can I work on a student visa in Korea? Only with a part-time work permit obtained in advance through HiKorea, after meeting conditions including a minimum period of study and a Korean-ability level (TOPIK 3 or above for D-4-1; TOPIK 3–4 for D-2 depending on your level). Working without the permit is illegal.

Do I need to register after I arrive? Yes. If you stay more than 90 days, you must complete Alien Registration and get a Residence Card (외국인등록증) within 90 days of entry. The fee is 35,000 KRW.

How do I stay in Korea after I graduate? You change your status. A common path is D-2 → D-10 (job-seeking) → E-7 (professional work), and later F-2 and F-5. Apply while your current status is still valid and you are inside Korea.

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카드뉴스 5포인트

1. D-2 or D-4? Know the difference
   D-2 is for degree students. D-4 is for language and non-degree training. Different money, work, and paths — do not mix them.

2. Show your money the right way
   D-2 degree: about 20 million KRW. D-4 language: about 10 million KRW. Hold it early — sudden deposits can be rejected. Amounts may be waived at certified universities.

3. Register within 90 days
   Get your Residence Card (외국인등록증) within 90 days of arrival. Fee is 35,000 KRW. Miss it and you risk a fine.

4. Get the permit before you work
   A student visa does not include work. Apply for part-time permission on HiKorea first, after you meet the Korean-level and time conditions.

5. Plan your after-graduation path
   D-2 → D-10 (job-seeking) → E-7 (work). Change your status before your current one expires. Always verify on HiKorea.

Reel Script (30-45s)

Hook:
"You got into a Korean university. But do you need a D-2 or a D-4 visa?"

Point 1:
D-2 is for degree students. D-4 is for language courses and non-degree training. They have different money and work rules.

Point 2:
Show your funds early. D-2 degree: about 20 million won. D-4 language: about 10 million won. Sudden deposits can be rejected.

Point 3:
When you land, register within 90 days for your Residence Card. Miss it and you can get fined.

Point 4:
Want to work? Get part-time permission on HiKorea first — after you meet the Korean-level and time conditions. No permit means illegal work.

Send-CTA:
Send this to a friend applying to study in Korea. Join GoKorea Insider for the free Student Visa Checklist. No agency, no commission, no visa sales. And always verify on HiKorea — rules change every year.