What Is the D-2 Visa?
The D-2 (Student) visa is issued to foreign nationals who have been admitted to a degree program at an accredited Korean university or graduate school. It covers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, master's programs, doctoral programs, and exchange/visiting student programs. It is not for language school enrollment — that's the D-4.
Korea's universities have become increasingly popular for international students, offering world-class programs in engineering, medicine, business, and the arts — and often at significantly lower tuition than equivalent programs in North America, Europe, or Australia.
D-2 Subtypes
| Code | Program Type |
|---|---|
| D-2-1 | Associate degree (2-year college) |
| D-2-2 | Bachelor's degree (4-year university) |
| D-2-3 | Master's degree |
| D-2-4 | Doctoral degree |
| D-2-5 | Research scholar / post-doc |
| D-2-6 | Exchange / visiting student |
| D-2-8 | Degree program at an overseas university's Korean campus |
Eligibility Requirements
- Admission letter from an accredited Korean university — this is the core requirement
- Sufficient funds: bank balance of at least ₩20 million (~$15,000) in your name or a financial guarantee letter from a parent/sponsor with equivalent funds. This covers the first year of tuition and living expenses.
- Previous academic qualification: high school graduation for bachelor's; bachelor's degree for master's; master's for doctoral
- Korean or English proficiency: most universities require either TOPIK Level 3+ for Korean-taught programs or TOEFL/IELTS for English-taught programs. Requirements vary by institution.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Get admitted to a Korean university — apply directly through the university's international office. Most have English-language application portals. Application deadlines are typically September–November for spring semester (March) and March–May for fall semester (September).
- Receive your official admission letter — this is issued by the university after acceptance
- Apply for D-2 visa at the Korean consulate in your home country. Bring your admission letter, financial proof, and supporting documents.
- Processing time: 3–7 business days at most consulates
- Arrive in Korea and register your ARC within 90 days — bring your enrollment certificate (재학증명서) to the immigration office
- Renew each year — D-2 is renewed to match your enrollment period. Bring a current enrollment certificate at each renewal.
Required Documents
- Passport (valid 6+ months)
- Visa application form
- 1 passport-size photo
- Official admission letter from Korean university (sealed or stamped)
- Bank statement showing ₩20 million+ or financial guarantee letter
- Academic transcript and diploma from previous institution (translated + apostilled if required by consulate)
- Language test certificate (if required by your consulate)
- Visa fee (~$40–80)
Scholarship Options
Korea has some of the world's most generous scholarship programs for international students:
- GKS (Global Korea Scholarship / 국비유학생): Full scholarship covering tuition, living allowance (₩900,000–₩1,000,000/month), airfare, Korean language training, and health insurance. Highly competitive. Apply through the Korean embassy in your country.
- KAIST, POSTECH, GIST, DGIST, UNIST: These science and technology universities offer full scholarships to most admitted international graduate students, including tuition waiver and monthly stipend.
- University scholarships: SNU, Yonsei, Korea, SKKU, Hanyang, and others offer merit-based partial scholarships ranging from 20–100% tuition waiver for high-achieving international students.
- Korean Government STEM Track: Additional scholarships for students in semiconductor, AI, biotech, and advanced manufacturing — Korea's strategic industries.
Part-Time Work on D-2
D-2 holders can work part-time in Korea with a work permit (체류자격외 활동허가) issued by the immigration office. Conditions:
- Maximum 20 hours/week during semesters
- Unlimited hours during official university vacation periods
- No work in entertainment, massage, or certain other restricted categories
Apply for the work permit at the immigration office with your enrollment certificate and ARC. The permit is typically valid for 1 year and renewable.
After Graduation: D-10 Job Seeker Visa
When you graduate from a Korean university on D-2, you can apply for a D-10 (Job Seeker) visa to stay in Korea and search for employment for up to 6 months. If you find a qualifying job, you can then change status to E-7 without leaving Korea.
This D-2 → D-10 → E-7 pathway is the most common route for international graduates who want to build their career in Korea.
Source: Korea Immigration Service, National Institute for International Education (NIIED) | Last verified: March 2026
This article is for informational purposes only. University admission requirements vary. Consult your university's international office and a visa specialist for guidance.