Studying in South Korea
- pre_applicationMandatory
Standard Admission Letter signed by the president or dean
The D-2 requires a Standard Admission Letter signed by the university president or dean, plus a copy of the institution's Business Registration Certificate. A departmental or informal offer letter is not accepted.
- When
- after_offer
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice
Standard Admission Letter (issued by the university president or dean)
- visaMandatory
D-2 Student Visa
Students admitted to a Korean degree programme must obtain a D-2 student visa, including a Standard Admission Letter and proof of financial ability.
- When
- before_travel
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Study in Korea / Ministry of Justice Korea
Copy of Passport. One Photo (passport-size, taken within the last 6 months). Standard Admission Letter (issued by the university president or dean). Proof of Financial Ability.
- visaMandatory
D-2 student visa, sub-coded by degree level
Degree students need D-2, sub-coded by level: D-2-2 bachelor's, D-2-3 master's, D-2-4 doctoral. Non-degree and language study fall under D-4 instead, with different rights. Each issuance permits up to 2 years, extendable within a cap tied to the degree.
- Costs
- USD 60
- When
- before_travel
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice
D-2: For international students enrolling in degree programs.
- visaMandatory
A visa can be refused despite a valid offer — intent to return is assessed
The mission reviews the application even with an admission letter. Grounds for refusal include a mismatch between stated purpose and visa type and, significantly, failure to demonstrate intent to return home within the permitted stay. A visa can also be cancelled if obtained fraudulently or if the guarantor withdraws.
- When
- before_travel
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Korea Immigration Service / Korean diplomatic missions
Demonstrating intent to return to the home country within the permitted duration of stay.
- financial_proofMandatory
Proof of Financial Ability — NO official figure published
Proof of Financial Ability is a mandatory D-2 document, but ⚠ NO official Korean government page publishes a threshold. The USD 20,000 figure quoted almost everywhere appears only on agency sites and could not be verified against immigration.go.kr, hikorea.go.kr or studyinkorea.go.kr, so it is deliberately NOT recorded.
- When
- with_application
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice
Proof of Financial Ability
- healthMandatory
National Health Insurance is COMPULSORY and cannot be opted out of
Foreign residents staying over six months are compulsorily enrolled in NHIS. Student enrolment was deferred only until 28 February 2021, so from 1 March 2021 it applies. You cannot substitute private insurance, and unpaid premiums can restrict visa extension.
- Takes
- 180d
- When
- after_arrival
www.nhis.or.kr · 2026-08-17 · National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)
D-2, D-4 visa holders' application to the self-employed insured is temporarily deferred until Feb. 28, 2021
- registrationMandatory
Alien Registration after arrival
Foreign nationals staying more than 90 days must complete alien registration within 90 days of entry.
- Takes
- 90d
- When
- after_arrival
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Ministry of Justice Korea (HiKorea)
Foreign nationals planning to stay in Korea for more than 90 days must complete alien registration within 90 days of entry.
- registrationMandatory
Alien Registration within 90 days of entry
Anyone staying more than 90 days must complete alien registration within 90 days of entry and receive the Alien Registration Card. The certificate of enrolment must be issued AFTER entry, so it cannot be prepared in advance.
- Takes
- 90d
- When
- after_arrival
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Korea Immigration Service (regional immigration office)
Foreigners intending to stay in Korea for more than 90 days must register within 90 days of their entry.
- language_certification
NO national TOPIK requirement
CHECKED, NONE EXISTS at country level. Korea sets no national TOPIK threshold for the D-2 visa. Universities set their own levels, and English-taught programmes accept English proficiency instead.
- When
- before_application
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Ministry of Education / NIIED — institution level
Language requirements vary by university (or department). Applicants are strongly advised to check directly with their desired institution in advance.
- language_certification
TOPIK Korean language proficiency
TOPIK is not a uniform national requirement. Language requirements are set by each university or department, not centrally.
- When
- before_application
www.studyinkorea.go.kr · 2026-08-17 · Study in Korea
Language requirements vary by university (or department). Applicants are strongly advised to check directly with their desired institution in advance.