South KoreaStudy and training

South Korea Korean language course visa (D-4-1)

D-4-1 Korean language trainee visa

In short

The D-4-1 visa is for people with at least a high-school diploma who will study Korean at a language institute attached to a Korean university or college. The institute issues the admission letter and course plan, and you apply at the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.

Apply on Korea Visa Portal (Ministry of Justice) checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Granted per course term; register within 90 days if staying longer
Fee
US$60Basic Korean visa fee for a single entry of 91 days or more (USD 40 up to 90 days, USD 70 double entry, USD 90 multiple entry). Some passports pay adjusted fees or are exempt, and missions may set the payment method.
Processing time
Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
Work
Only with permission for activities outside the status (KRW 20,000 for D-4 part-time work)
Where to apply
At the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, following its appointment rules

Eligibility

Applicants need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and admission to a Korean language programme at a language institution affiliated with a higher education institution in Korea. Other D-4 subtypes cover trainees at institutes, private academies, Korean cuisine courses and foreign language training.

Documents

Standard documents, an apostilled enrolment or graduation certificate and transcript from your latest school, and from the Korean institute: the standard admission letter, a detailed training plan (timetable, teacher list and facility information) and its business registration certificate.

Required documents

Identity

  • Original passport valid at least six months beyond travel, plus a copy

Study

  • Standard admission letter from the language institute
  • Training plan: timetable, teacher list and facility details
  • Apostilled diploma or enrolment certificate and transcript

Other

  • Completed visa application form and one recent colour photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Identity

  • If you are not a national of the country where you apply: proof of legal residence there

Alien registration after arrival

Anyone staying longer than 90 days must register at the immigration office for their place of stay within 90 days of entry and receive a residence card (fee KRW 35,000). If you do not register, the visa is treated as invalid. A change of address must be reported within 15 days to the local district office or the immigration office. Single-entry long-stay visa holders need a re-entry permit before travelling abroad unless they hold a multiple-entry status.

Extensions and changes in Korea

Extensions and changes of status are applied for at the immigration office, usually with an online reservation on HiKorea, before your period of stay expires. Official fees are KRW 60,000 for an extension and KRW 100,000 for a change of status; a permission for activities outside your status costs KRW 120,000, and changing or adding a workplace also KRW 120,000.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Apply to a university-affiliated Korean language institute and obtain the admission letter, course plan and registration certificate.
  2. Check the application rules of the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence and book an appointment if it requires one.
  3. Fill in the visa application form and prepare original documents; papers issued in Korea should be originals.
  4. Submit the application as the mission requires and pay the visa fee.
  5. Wait for the decision; processing times differ between missions, so apply well before travel.
  6. Enter Korea within three months of issue and register as a foreign resident within 90 days of entry.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch from D-4 to D-2?

Students who finish language training and are admitted to a degree programme can apply to change their status to D-2 at the immigration office.

Do I need a high school diploma?

Yes, D-4-1 requires at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Can I learn Korean visa-free?

Short courses fitting within a 90-day visa-free stay can be taken with a K-ETA; longer programmes need D-4.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for South Korea

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days
  • Investor visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Entrepreneur and start-up visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Period of stay granted according to the study programme; register within 90 days
  • Researcher visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Work

  • Skilled worker visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Job seeker visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel
  • Intra-company transfer visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Family

  • Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Usually a month or more; longer if documents are checked, an interview or field investigation is needed
  • Family reunification visa Processing time: Set by the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply; check its processing time and apply well before travel

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

South Korea visa guide