Study in Korea
From study to career — your first step to settling in Korea
D-2 / D-4 Visa Guide
Requirements and procedures for degree and language program visas
Korean University Info
Compare universities, language institutes, and scholarships open to foreign students
Post-Graduation Career Path
Support for D-10 job-seeker and E-7 specialist visa transitions
Who is this for?
Foreign nationals seeking admission to Korean universities or graduate schools
Those able to study in Korean or English
Those with financial means (tuition + living expenses)
What visas are available?
Degree programs (bachelor's, master's, PhD). TOPIK level 3 or able to take English-taught courses.
Length of stay: Length of enrollment (2–6 years)
Check eligibility
Language study at university language institutes or private schools. You can start from basic Korean.
Length of stay: Up to 2 years
Check eligibility
Study in Korea Process
Standard 5-step process for D-2 / D-4 visas
- Step 1
Choose a School & Apply
Select a Korean university or language institute, submit your application, and receive a Letter of Admission
- Step 2
Prove Language Proficiency
Submit TOPIK (Korean) or IELTS / TOEFL (English) scores — requirements vary by school
- Step 3
Prove Financial Capacity
Bank balance certificate (USD 10,000+ recommended), family relation documents, etc.
- Step 4
Visa Issuance (D-2 or D-4)
Apply at the Korean consulate or via HiKorea — D-2 for degree programs, D-4 for language programs
- Step 5
Arrival, Registration & Studies
After arrival, obtain Alien Registration Card within 90 days, register with the school, and begin studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What TOPIK level is required?
Undergraduate programs typically require TOPIK 3+, graduate programs TOPIK 4+. English-taught programs commonly require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80+.
Q. What's the difference between D-4 and D-2?
D-4 is a language-program visa (up to 2 years) for language institutes. D-2 is for degree programs (BA/MA/PhD). You can change from D-4 to D-2.
Q. How much financial capacity must I prove?
Typically a bank balance of USD 10,000+ (~13M KRW) is required. Some schools or nationalities require USD 20,000 or more.
Q. Can I work in Korea after graduation?
After graduation, you can stay 6 months to 2 years on D-10 (job-seeker visa) and switch to E-7 (specialist) etc. once hired.
From study consultation to post-graduation careers — all in one place
Sign Up as StudentVisa information is for reference only. Final approval is at the discretion of Korean immigration authorities.
Information basis
- Last verified
- August 2, 2026
- Source
- Ministry of Education
This information is provided for reference only and has no legal effect. Please contact the Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea) or the Ministry of Justice for authoritative information.