The primary student visa for international students enrolling in degree programs (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral) at accredited Korean universities and colleges. Also covers students in specific research programs. D-2 has subcategories: D-2-1 (associate), D-2-2 (bachelor's), D-2-3 (master's), D-2-4 (doctoral), D-2-5 (research), D-2-6 (exchange), D-2-7 (degree with employment), D-2-8 (short-term).
National/public universities: ₩2,000,000–₩5,000,000/yr ($1,500–$4,000). Private universities: ₩5,000,000–₩15,000,000/yr ($4,000–$12,000). Medical and engineering programs at private institutions may exceed this range. GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) covers full tuition for recipients.
D-2 undergraduate students can generally work up to 30 hours/week, while graduate students can generally work up to 35 hours/week. Lower caps apply where Korean proficiency, academic standing, or institution accreditation conditions are not met. Unlimited hours on weekends, public holidays, and during vacation. Must obtain part-time work permission from immigration and avoid restricted sectors.
| Program | Type | Duration | Min Degree | Work | PR Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-10 Job Seeking Visa | Job seeker | 6mo-24mo | Bachelors | No | No |
| E-7 Professional Employment Visa | Work permit | 12mo-36mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | Yes |
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) | Admission | Korean | Level 3 | TOPIK Level 3 minimum for most Korean-taught undergraduate programs. Level 4+ recommended. TOPIK 3+ also required for part-time work permit. English-taught programs do not require TOPIK. |
| TOEFL iBT / IELTS | Admission | English | — | Required for English-taught programs. TOEFL 80+ or IELTS 5.5+ is typical minimum. |
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee (Single Entry) | Application | $45 | One time |
| Visa Application Fee (Multiple Entry) | Application | $60 | One time |
| Alien Registration Card (ARC) | Registration | $22 | One time |
GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) provides full tuition, monthly stipend (₩900,000 undergrad / ₩1,000,000 grad), airfare, and health insurance. National Health Insurance enrollment is mandatory (₩50,000–₩80,000/month, partially subsidized). University accreditation level (Immigration Certification System) affects visa processing requirements.
- Workcation Visa (F-1-D) (digital nomad visa)
- South Korea Startup Visa (D-8-4S) (startup)
- South Korea F-4 Overseas Korean Visa (ancestry)
Last verified: May 3, 2026. Source