South Korea Student Visa Requirements
To study for a degree in South Korea, you need a D-2 student visa (the visa for degree students). Apply at the Korean embassy or consulate (a smaller embassy office) in your home country, after your university sends your Certificate of Admission (CoA), the letter that says it accepts you.
Who Can Get a South Korea Student Visa
These are the main checks the embassy makes before it gives a D-2 visa.
- A Certificate of Admission (CoA) from a Korean university.
- Proof of your highest education.
- For a bachelor's degree, all 12 years of school.
- For a master's degree, a bachelor's degree or an equal qualification.
- Korea University: at least KRW 20,000,000 a year for new master's and PhD students.
- Each university sets its own amount, so use the figure in your admission papers.
- If a parent pays, add papers that prove the family link.
A tuberculosis (TB) test result from a hospital the Korean embassy names.
Pakistan: the Islamabad embassy asks for a medical certificate and a TB test report for stays of more than 91 days.
In Korea, D-2 students join National Health Insurance (NHI), Korea's state health insurance, from the day they get their residence card. D-4 (language course) students join 6 months after they enter Korea.
Non-Immigrant Intent
- See Plan to Return above.
Immigration Status
- If you hold a D-2 visa from another university, you may need a new visa with the new university's CoA.
Other Points
- Korea can cancel a visa that was given because of fake papers, or if you break its conditions.
- The Islamabad embassy does not have to explain a refusal.
- Pakistan: you must give your own application in person.
Papers for the South Korea D-2 Visa
These are the papers for the D-2 visa. Your embassy may ask for more, so check its list before you apply.
Keep the original and a copy of every paper.
Check that your name is the same on your passport, CoA and bank papers.
Some papers take a long time to get, so start early.
Check the date limits on bank papers before you print them.
- Size: 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm.
- Taken within the last 6 months.
- Stick it on the application form.
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application form | Fill it in yourself. Get the form from Hi Korea or the Korea Visa Portal. | Required |
| Visa fee | About 60 US dollars for a visa that lets you enter Korea once (single entry), for a stay of 91 days or more. | Required |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Your passport and a copy of the page with your photo. The Islamabad embassy asks for at least 6 months of validity. | Required |
| Photo | One passport-size photo, 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months. | Required |
| National ID card | Korea University asks master's and PhD students for the ID card they use at home. | Optional |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Admission (CoA) | The standard admission letter from the university president or dean. Pakistan asks for the original. | Required |
| Business registration certificate | A copy of the paper that shows your university is a registered school. The university sends it to you. | Required |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of your highest education | Your last degree or school certificate. Some embassies ask for an apostille (an official stamp that shows a paper is real) or a confirmation from a Korean embassy. | Required |
| Pakistan: Higher Education Commission (HEC) confirmation | Pakistan: your certificates, degree, results and transcript must be confirmed (attested) by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) or your education board. | Required |
| Pakistan: English test | Pakistan: an English test certificate. The embassy prefers IELTS or TOEFL iBT and does not accept TOEIC. | Required |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of money | At Korea University, new master's and PhD students need at least KRW 20,000,000 (Korean won) a year, in KRW or US dollars. The paper must be issued within 30 days of the application date. | Required |
| Pakistan: 6 months of statements | Pakistan: 6 months of bank statements with enough money for your whole stay. The money must have been in the account for at least 1 month, and the statement must be no more than 2 weeks old when you apply. | Required |
| Family papers if parents pay | If the money is in a parent's account, add papers that prove you are their child. | Optional |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tuberculosis (TB) test result | Students from India and Pakistan must give it. Use a hospital the Korean embassy names. | Required |
Important Document Guidelines
Which South Korea Student Visa Do You Need?
Degree students need the D-2 visa. Students who come first for a Korean language course need the D-4 visa.
Key Features
For short degrees (2 to 3 years), bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees, and for research.
Sub-types: D-2-2 is bachelor's, D-2-3 is master's, D-2-4 is doctoral and D-2-6 is exchange study.
You may work part time only after the immigration office (the government office for foreigners) gives you permission.
Students who stay more than 6 months at a Korean university in a bachelor's or higher course can invite a husband or wife and children who are not yet adults. Some who have stayed less than 2 years cannot, unless there are humanitarian reasons.
Eligibility Requirements
- You have a Certificate of Admission (CoA) from a Korean university.
- You can show money for your studies and stay.
- You hold a valid passport.
- You plan to go home when your permitted stay ends.
Restrictions
- The visa is linked to your study. If you stop studying, your visa ends.
- You cannot start a job until the immigration office gives you permission.
- Within 90 days of arrival, you must register and get a residence card (also called the alien registration card, ARC), your ID card in Korea.
| Point | D-2 student visa | D-4 language visa |
|---|---|---|
| What it is for | A degree or research | A Korean language course |
| Paper from the school | Certificate of Admission (CoA) | Admission letter and a plan for your course |
| Part-time work | With permission from the immigration office | D-4: with permission, after 6 months |
| Fee for a stay of 91 days or more | About 60 US dollars | About 60 US dollars |
If you join a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, you need the D-2 visa. If you join only a Korean language course first, you need the D-4 visa.
Show That You Come to Study
Before it gives a visa, the embassy checks that you meet the rules for the visa type and that your purpose is real.
- Your reason to enter Korea must match your visa type.
- For a D-2 visa, that reason is your degree at the university that gave you the CoA.
- The embassy checks that you plan to go home when your permitted stay ends.
- Show the money your university and your embassy ask for, in the account and for the time they ask.
Common Red Flags to Avoid
Key to Success
Give true papers. Explain your study plan clearly. Make sure every paper says the same thing.
Useful Links and Common Questions
Links and answers to the questions students ask most.
Korean Embassies for India and Pakistan
Visa Rules and Forms
Get your Certificate of Admission (CoA) and business registration certificate from your university.
Get your bank papers, your study certificates and your TB test result ready.
Give your papers at your Korean embassy or consulate and pay the fee.
Wait for the decision. Pakistan: at least 8 weeks.
Fly to Korea and get your residence card within 90 days.
Need More Help?
Each embassy can ask for more papers. Before you apply, check the list from the Korean embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
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