If you want to study in South Korea, you need South Korea student visa. This will allow you to stay and study in Korea. This article will discuss the Korean student visa, its eligibility, visa requirements, required documents, fees, and more. So, let’s get started.
focus
- South Korea student visa types:
- The D-2 visa is for academic programs at Korean universities.
- An F or E visa can also be used for study.
- Short-term visas such as Category B or C are not suitable for academic courses.
- Eligibility requirements for South Korea student visa:
- Genuine intent to learn.
- Sufficient financial resources.
- Plan to return home after visiting.
- Clean background and good character.
- Meet health standards.
- Apply at the Korean embassy or consulate in your country.
- South Korea Student Visa Job Opportunities:
- With permission from the university, you can work part-time on a D-2 or D-4 visa.
- Typically, there is a 6-month waiting period before starting work.
- Obtain a work permit from the Immigration Department.
What types of student visas are there in South Korea?
Before entering any Korean university, you need to obtain a student visa (D-2). You can obtain this information from the Korean embassy or consulate in your country.
Just like other countries like the United States, South Korea has different visa types. In the United States, we have J1 and F1 visa types. On the other hand, in South Korea, other visas such as Category F or Category E can also be used for study.
However, short-term visas such as Category B or Category C do not work as they do not allow you to attend academic courses at Korean universities.
What are the eligibility requirements for a Korean student visa?
To travel to the country with a visa, you must meet some requirements:
- You must really want to travel there.
- You will need enough money to pay for yourself and your accompanying family.
- You must have a good reason to return to your home country after your visit.
- You must have a clean record and be a good person.
- You need to be healthy enough to meet the authorities’ standards.
What documents are needed for a Korean student visa?
To apply for a Korean university visa, you will need some documents:
- visa application
- A copy of your passport and the page with your photo
- Recent passport size photo with white background
- Admission notice issued by the international education team of Korean University
- The application fee is approximately $60 to $90
- ID card from your country
- Please provide KU Business Registration Certificate if requested by the International Education Team
- If necessary, invitation letter from NIIED
- Korean training completion certificate with attendance details, if applicable
- If you are coming from certain countries you will need a TB test certificate
- If you are from a specific country, additional documentation may be required, such as final academic qualifications or financial statements
- Be sure to contact the Korean embassy or consulate in your country to find out if any additional documents are required.
Where can I get a Korean student visa?
If you are coming to South Korea to study, be sure to obtain a student visa (D-2) before arriving. You should apply at the Korean embassy or consulate in your country.
But if you are already in South Korea but don’t have the correct visa, don’t worry. You can still apply for a student visa (D-2) once you arrive here. Just make sure to do it as soon as possible.
You need to go to the Sejong-ro Immigration Bureau and apply for both a student visa and an Alien Registration Card (ARC).
Remember to make an appointment on the immigration website (HiKorea) before going. If you apply late, you may have to pay a fine, and it will be troublesome to go to the immigration office after school starts.
Therefore, it is best to avoid using other visas to come to South Korea and try to get a student visa in your home country.
How to apply for a Korean student visa?
When you apply for a student visa (D-2), you will need some important documents.
- First, you will receive a Certificate of Admission (CoA).
- You will also need to show proof of your final academic qualifications and financial status, such as your bank account or any scholarships you have. These files may take a while to obtain, so it’s best to start as early as possible.
- You may also need to provide additional documentation as the process progresses. That’s why contact the Korean embassy or consulate in your country as early as possible. They can tell you exactly what you need and help you get everything ready on time.
- Once your application is approved, the embassy or consulate will issue you a D-2-2 visa, specifically for Korea University students.
- If they give you the wrong type of visa, such as D-2-1 or D-2-3, be sure to let them know so they can fix it.
- If you are new to Korea and already hold a D-2 student visa from another university, you will still need to leave the country and apply for a new D-2 visa with your enrollment certificate.
- You can do this at the Korean embassy or consulate in your country.
Where can I apply for a Korean student visa?
If you live outside of South Korea and want to study there, you will need to apply for a student visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country. You must do this yourself.
Can I work in Korea as a student?
If you hold a D-2 or D-4 visa and want to work part-time in South Korea, you will need permission from the university. Typically, you must wait 6 months before starting work.
Then, ask your university for a letter allowing you to work. To work legally, you must also obtain a permit from the Immigration Department.
South Korea Student Visa Summary
| standard | describe |
| Type of Visa | D-2 |
| qualified | Genuine desire to learn, adequate funds, family relationships, good character, good health |
| document | Visa application form, passport (photocopy of photo page), passport photo, enrollment certificate, application fee, ID card, KU business registration certificate (if necessary), invitation letter (if necessary), Korean training certificate (if any), tuberculosis Test certificates (for some countries), final academic certificates and financial statements (additional for certain countries) |
| where to apply | Korean embassy or consulate in your country (preferred) |
| Substitute application (if already in Korea) | Sejong Road Immigration and Entry Administration Office |
| how to apply | Obtain your matriculation certificate, prepare financial documents and final academic certificates, contact the embassy/consulate for details, ensure the correct visa type, apply for and leave the country with a D-2 visa if transferring from another university |
Frequently asked questions
1. Is it difficult to apply for a Korean student visa?
If you want to study in South Korea, you need a visa. But don’t worry, it’s not too difficult. Please make sure you have all the correct documents with you before departure.
2. What is the minimum bank balance required for a Korean student visa?
Make sure you have at least $15,000 in your bank account to study at a Capital Region university and $13,000 to study at a local area university.
3. How much does it cost to live in Korea as a student?
Depending on where you want to live, accommodation costs may vary. If you choose to live in university housing, the cost per semester ranges from $384 to $1,228. On the other hand, if you prefer living in an apartment, prices can range from $340 to $442, depending on the size and location of the apartment.
4. Is it expensive to study in South Korea?
The government does not control how much tuition universities charge. Instead, each school determines its own fees. Even the famous ones usually charge the same fee. Therefore, you may pay approximately $5,800 to $6,500 per semester.
5. Can foreigners open a Korean bank account?
Even if you are a foreigner, you can open a bank account at many Korean banks. Most banks offer services in English and other languages, so you’ll feel at ease. When you arrive, you can open an account, but you must do all your banking with a teller at the branch, which means you won’t have free access to an ATM.
in conclusion
South Korea is one of the most technologically advanced countries. It is famous around the world for its Korean pop music.
Many students from all over the world are eager to study in South Korea. But to study in South Korea, you must obtain a student visa for South Korea.
Contrary to popular belief, South Korea is a safe and sound country. This provides tremendous opportunities for growth in your personal and professional life.
There are many different projects in Korea. This makes it a popular choice for students around the world.
