SStudent Visa

How to Get Korean Student Visa  | Step-by-Step Procedures


A Korean student visa allows you, as a foreign student of any country or nationality, to travel to Korea the study and stay for the duration of your course without being harassed by Korean authorities. The visa, obtained from the Korean embassy, also informs airport officials about the purpose and duration of the visit.

When the visa expires, you would, of course, be expected to have completed your course of study and be ready to leave Korea.

Do you want to get a student visa in Korea and wondering how to go about it? This article carefully outlines all you need to know about the student visa in Korea 2024, carefully detailing the requirements, processing time, and even fees you would be required to pay. Let’s get started.

Table of contents

Types of Korean Student Visa

This section discusses the different types of student visas in Korea.

A student visa allows foreign students of any country or nationality to travel to their countries of study and stay for the duration of their course without being harassed by the country’s authorities.

The visa, obtained from the embassy of the country of study, also informs airport officials about the purpose and duration of the visit.

When the visa expires, the student is expected to have completed his or her course of study and to be ready to leave the country. The various student visas in Korea are-

General Trainee Visa (D-4):

This visa is intended for interns or trainee students who are training or conducting research at research centers or training facilities. It is also intended for students enrolled in a university-affiliated language center who are learning Korean. Documents needed for this visa application include, but are not limited to.

  • Application for a visa issuance confirmation (form no. 21),
  • A copy of your passport, one standard-size photograph, and fees.
  • A copy of the educational institute’s business registration or a photocopy of a unique number card
  • Standardized acceptance letter(issued by the university’s President/Dean)
  • Enrollment letter or a duplicate copy of your final level of education’s graduation diploma
  • Document showing your ability to support yourself financially during your stay* * You must also submit a family relations certificate if you submit your parent’s balance statement.
  • Documents proving your financial ability must be reviewed in their original form (e.g., balance statement, bankbook, scholarship receipt, deposit/withdrawal statement). Still, if necessary, a duplicate copy can be attached after an official compares the original and duplicate copies to confirm authenticity (Balance Statement is only accepted when issued within the past 30 days).
  • Training Strategy (including the lecture Schedule, list of lecturers, training facility details, etc.)

Short-term Student visa

This type of visa is granted to students who are enrolled in the course of study that lasts less than 90 days.

Long-term Student Visas

This visa allows you to study for over 90 days, such as at a university or language school.

How Student Visas Work in Korea

The student visa in Korea does not work for just anyone. You may not get a Korean visa if you have a visa for the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand and are traveling directly from one of those countries or intend to travel there later.

You are also exempted from a student visa to Korea if you are a Chinese group tourist with a group-tourist visa to Japan or if you have a flight out of the country scheduled within the next 30 days.

Requirements or Eligibility Criteria for Student Visa in Korea

To be eligible to apply for a student visa in Korea, you must be a student with an admission recently given to any of the prestigious Korean universities. The documents you need for a student visa in Korea are-

  • Your original passport, along with a photocopy of the photo page. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the intended entry date into Korea.
  • CoA or Confirmation of Visa Issuance from a Korean university (where you fill out sections 2 and 3.5)
  • Application fee for a visa
  • 1 passport photograph (not needed for students with a Confirmation of Visa Issuance)
  • A completed visa application form (visit the embassies’ websites for the most recent version).
  • Some embassies may also require proof of financing and your high school diploma, so always double-check with the Korean Embassy or Consulate to see what documents they require.
  • Additional documentation may be required if you take part in a university exchange program.

Related Article: How Long Does a Student Visa Last & How can I Renew?

How Long is the Korean Student Visa Valid?

If you intend to study at a Korean university for over 90 days, you must get a student visa. A Certificate of Admission from a Korean university is required to apply.

To get such a document, you typically need to pay for at least two 10-week terms. Korean universities offer four 10-week terms per academic year.

A student visa is called a D-visa, followed by a number that varies depending on what you plan to study in Korea. After six months of studying in Korea on a student visa, you can apply for the right to work part-time job.

A student visa is usually valid for three months after it is issued, and you can currently stay in Korea for six months before it needs to be renewed. However, some schools offer valid visas for longer periods with no renewal.

If you take a longer course at a university, your school can assist you with this.

Fees and Cost Of Student Visa In Korea

You will need a Student Visa to study in South Korea; however, if you intend to stay longer than 90 days, purchasing a 90-day student visa and then renewing it once in Korea is easier.

The visa application fee is $45; you must apply for it in person or by mail.

How To Apply For a Student Visa In Korea In 2024?

The steps to take when applying for a student visa in Korea are as follows:

Step 1: Determine which visa you require

The type of visa you can apply for is determined by your nationality and the time you intend to study in Korea.

For those who want to study in South Korea, there are three different visa options to consider when thinking of a student visa in Korea.

Within your time limit, you can take part in a short visa waiver program in South Korea. Take a language course at Lexis Korea, for example, or a summer course at a university.

If you do not have enough time to apply for a student visa to Korea, you may enter the country on a visa waiver and then switch to a student visa after you arrive but before you have overstayed your visa waiver.

Step 2: Apply to a Korean university.

This is the second step in the application for a student visa in Korea. You must first apply to and be admitted to a Korean university before applying for a student visa. Universities frequently have application windows. For the typical application, you will require:

  • The application form for the school
  • A duplicate of your passport
  • Your English high school diploma
  • Proof that you can afford to pay for your studies in Korea (usually at least $100,000).
  • A letter of motivation

Step 3: Obtain your visa documentation

Being accepted to a university program is the next step for a student visa in Korea. The university will send you a Certificate of Admission once you have paid your tuition.

After receiving this document, you may apply for a student visa at the Korean embassy in your home country. If you want to enter Korea on a student visa, we recommend you pay your tuition fee at least two months before the start of your program.

This should give you plenty of time to receive your admission documents and apply for your visa.

If you do not have enough time to get a student visa before the start of your program, you can travel to South Korea on a visa waiver as a last resort and apply for a student visa on-site.

Step 4: Submit an Application to the Korean Embassy in your country

You apply for a visa at your home country’s Korean embassy. You can find the address, website, and other contact information for the Korean embassy in your home country here.

If you have questions about the student visa Korea application, contact the Embassy or your school. The documents that are typically requested at the embassy when applying for a student visa or working holiday visa are listed above.

Step 5. Obtain your visa

After the Embassy receives your visa application, it usually takes about two weeks to receive your visa in Sweden. Waiting times may vary from country to country. If you are in a hurry, contact the embassy to see if they can assist you sooner.

Unless you use a visa agency to do the job for you, you must collect your visa in person at the Korean Embassy.

A student visa in Korea is usually valid for three months after it is issued, and you can currently stay in Korea for six months before it needs to be renewed, though some schools offer visas that are valid for longer periods of time with no renewal.

If you take a longer course at a university, your school can assist you with this.

While you’re still here, you may want to check out Can I Get an F1 Visa as a Part-Time Student? Full Details

Student Visa Processing Time in Korea

You cannot apply for a study visa until the host university officially accepts you. This procedure may take two to three months or more to complete. During this time, the consulate will keep your passport while processing your visa.

Can I Get a Student Visa in Korea Without IELTS?

International students will find it very easy to gain admission to Korea. There are 43 National Universities and 180 Private Universities in South Korea that accept international students without IELTS and have modern education facilities with highly qualified researchers.

As an international student, it is expedient to show your proficiency in either Korean or English languages. They do not, however, require that the proficiency test be the IELTS. Scores from a TOEFL test or a test developed by the university can be presented (TEPS).

Working While Studying in Korea

Many applicants ask this question because they are acutely aware of the possibility of running out of funds as their studies progress. It is not, however, impossible. Students cannot work full-time.

Under certain conditions, you may be permitted to work to support yourself while studying. You are only legally permitted to work part-time (around 60% of full-time employment for a year) and only begin in your second year of studies after receiving a valid residency permit.

When applying for a job, inform your employer that you are an international student so that they will only consider your application for part-time work.

FAQs How to Get a Korean Student Visa in 2024

Can I apply for a study visa before the host university accepts me?

You cannot apply for a study visa until the host university officially accepts you. This procedure may take two to three months or more to complete. During this time, the consulate will keep your passport while your visa is being processed.

What is the processing time for a visa?

The processing time for a visa varies depending on the Korean Embassy, but it usually takes three to ten days. Within 90 days of arriving in Korea, the individual must apply for an Alien Registration Card.

What are the requirements for 3-4 month and one-year program students?

Students enrolled in a one-term (3-4 month) program must provide a recent bank statement with a minimum balance of $3,000, while students enrolled in a year-long program must provide a recent bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000.

What kind of students is eligible to apply for a residence visa?

International graduates with student or jobseeker visas who have received a master’s degree from a Korean university and have a confirmed job contract with a Korean company are eligible to apply for a residence visa.

What is a good range of salary for a student in Korea?

The hourly wage ranges from 8,000 to 12,000 won. Jobs requiring good Korean language skills will also pay more, with an average salary of 25,000 won/h. Translators, interpreters, and tour guides working in companies can earn up to 200,000 – 400,000 won per hour.

What is the visa application fee?

$45. You will need a Student Visa to study in South Korea; however, if you intend to stay longer than 90 days, purchasing a 90-day student visa and then renewing it once in Korea is easier. The visa application fee is $45. This visa must be applied for in person or by mail.

Conclusion

Students who live and study in Korea may explore a beautiful and vibrant country. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in Korea.

Students are sure to enjoy a variety of exciting sights and gorgeous views, whether exploring Korea’s large and bustling capital city, Seoul, or the country’s lush coastlands and countryside. The student visa in Korea is absolutely worth it, even though it’s a long one.

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