South KoreaStudy and training

South Korea student visa (D-2)

D-2 study visa (degree, exchange and research study)

In short

The D-2 visa is for degree programmes at Korean colleges and universities (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate), research study and exchange semesters. Your Korean university issues a standard admission letter, 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
Period of stay granted according to the study programme; register within 90 days
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
Part-time work only with a permission for activities outside the status (official fee KRW 20,000 for D-2 part-time work)
Family
Spouse and minor children via F-3 dependent family
Where to apply
At the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, following its appointment rules

Who qualifies

D-2 covers people who will receive regular education or carry out specific research at a junior college or higher institution or an academic research institution. Subtypes are D-2-1 associate degree, D-2-2 bachelor's, D-2-3 master's, D-2-4 doctoral, D-2-5 research study and D-2-6 exchange student under an agreement between universities.

Documents

Bring the standard documents plus an enrolment certificate and transcript from your latest school, or your graduation certificate and transcript if you have graduated, apostilled. The Korean university provides the standard admission letter and its business registration certificate (PDF printouts are accepted). D-2-6 exchange students add a reference letter from their home university and the host university's official confirmation letter. The university assesses your finances during admission.

Required documents

Identity

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

Study

  • Standard admission letter (표준입학허가서) and the university's business registration certificate
  • Apostilled enrolment or graduation certificate and transcript of your latest school

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

Study

  • D-2-6: rector's reference letter and the host university's confirmation letter

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.

Part-time work

Students may take part-time jobs only after obtaining a permission for activities outside their status from the immigration office; for D-2 and D-4 part-time work the Ministry of Justice charges a reduced KRW 20,000 instead of KRW 120,000. Conditions such as permitted hours depend on your language level and academic standing under Ministry of Justice guidelines.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Get admitted to a Korean college or university and receive the standard admission letter 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

Do I need a bank statement for D-2?

The university assesses your finances during admission and states it in the admission documents; the mission may still ask for further proof.

Can I work part-time as a student?

Yes, after obtaining a permission for activities outside your status from the immigration office.

Is a Korean language course a D-2?

No. Korean language training at a university language institute is the D-4-1 visa.

Can I look for a job after graduation?

Graduates can apply for the D-10 job-seeker status to look for professional work.

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

  • Language course visa Maximum stay: Granted per course term; register within 90 days if staying longer
  • 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