South Korea · Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
South Korea issues the D-2 visa for degree study (associate through doctoral and research) and the D-4 visa for language training and certain other courses. After your university issues a Certificate of Admission you apply at a Korean embassy or consulate. You must complete alien registration within 90 days of arrival, and most later steps — extensions, part-time work permits — are handled online through HiKorea.
South Korea issues the D-2 visa for degree study (associate to doctoral) and the D-4 visa for language training and some other courses. After a university issues your Certificate of Admission you apply at a Korean embassy/consulate; many subsequent steps (extensions, alien registration, part-time work permit) are handled online through the HiKorea portal. You must complete alien registration within 90 days of arrival.
- D-2 is for degree programmes (associate, bachelor, master, doctoral, research); D-4 is for language courses and certain other study.
- Apply at a Korean embassy/consulate with your Certificate of Admission and required documents after the university accepts you.
- Complete alien registration within 90 days of arrival; manage most later steps online via HiKorea.
- Paid part-time work requires a prior work permit, applied for through HiKorea or the local immigration office.
- 1
Choose D-2 or D-4 correctly
D-2 covers degree programmes from associate to doctoral, including research. D-4 covers language courses and certain other study. The category follows your programme.
- 2
Obtain the Certificate of Admission
Your university issues the Certificate of Admission once you are accepted. It is the core document for the consular application.
- 3
Apply at a Korean embassy or consulate
Submit the visa application with your Certificate of Admission and the required supporting documents after the university accepts you.
- 4
Complete alien registration within 90 days
Alien registration must be done within 90 days of arrival. It underpins most later steps, so treat it as a first-month task rather than a loose deadline.
- 5
Use HiKorea for later steps
Extensions, changes and work-permit applications are handled online through HiKorea or the local immigration office. Register early so the account is ready when you need it.
- 6
Get a work permit before any paid work
Paid part-time work requires a prior work permit through HiKorea or the local immigration office. Apply before starting, not after.
- Correct category chosen (D-2 degree / D-4 language)
- Certificate of Admission received
- Visa application submitted at a Korean mission
- Alien registration scheduled within 90 days of arrival
- HiKorea account set up
- Proof of funds prepared
- Work permit obtained before starting any paid work
- HiKorea (Korea Immigration Service)
Official e-government immigration portal — applications, extensions, registration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between D-2 and D-4?
D-2 is for degree programmes — associate, bachelor, master, doctoral and research. D-4 covers language training and certain other courses. Your programme determines the category, and it affects the conditions attached to your stay.
When must I complete alien registration?
Within 90 days of arrival. Most later processes depend on it, so schedule it in your first weeks rather than treating 90 days as slack — appointment availability can be tight around term start.
Can I work part-time on a student visa in Korea?
Only with a prior work permit, applied for through HiKorea or your local immigration office. Starting work before the permit is granted breaches your visa conditions.
Government portals
- Government of Korea — Korea's integrated government portal — policy, administrative services, e-government
- Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea) — Visas, residence status changes, work permits, and alien registration in Korea
- National Tax Service (NTS) — Korean income tax, corporate tax, VAT filing; annual comprehensive tax return for foreigners (May); foreign taxpayer incentive lookup