Student

From the MOJ manual · as of 2026-07-31Who qualifies & how

Eligibility. Enrollment in a regular course at a junior college or higher institution (or research institute) accredited under the Higher Education Act and registered in the MOJ foreign-student system (FIMS): associate (D-2-1), bachelor's (D-2-2), master's (D-2-3), doctoral (D-2-4), research (D-2-5), exchange (D-2-6), work-study (D-2-7), visiting student (D-2-8). Cyber/broadcast universities, lifelong-education facilities and most night/weekend programs are excluded.

Work rights. Employment only with part-time work permission (시간제취업): with the required Korean level (TOPIK 3 for associate and bachelor years 1-2, TOPIK 4 for years 3-4, or equivalent KIIP/Sejong level) up to 25 hours on weekdays (30 for certified universities or high achievers) and no hourly cap on weekends and vacations; without it, 10 hours. Limited to work typical of students, at most 2 workplaces at a time, permit valid up to 1 year; D-2-8 and D-4 holders become eligible 6 months after status grant.

Duration. Maximum 2 years per grant; periods are aligned to the academic calendar (end of March or September). Research course D-2-5: 1 year per grant, 2 years total.

Extension. Extension refused for leave of absence taken for personal reasons or delayed graduation without cause. Overall stay caps from program entry: associate 3 years (3-year programs: 4), bachelor 6 (5-year programs: 7), master 5 (3-year programs: 6), doctorate 8 (2-year programs: 7); thesis-preparation extensions possible for master's/doctoral completers.

Pathways. Graduates may change to D-10 job seeking (points test waived on the first change after a domestic degree, and for domestic graduates with TOPIK 4+/KIIP within 3 years), to E-7 (experience requirement waived for domestic graduates), or to F-2-7 as 유학인재 (domestic master's or higher employed in a professional field within 5 years). MOJ Visa Navigator route: D-2 → D-10 → E-1~E-7 → F-2 → F-5.

ChecklistRequired documents

• Visa application form, passport copy, 1 photo (taken within 6 months)
• School's business registration (or unique-number) certificate
• Standard Certificate of Admission issued by the university president (government scholarship students: invitation from NIIED/Ministry of National Defense instead)
• Tuberculosis test certificate (nationals of designated countries)
• Proof of final educational attainment, original, with apostille or Korean-consulate legalization (China: CHSI/CDGDC verification reports by degree level)
• Proof of financial capacity covering one year's tuition plus living costs (Vietnam: hold-type bank deposit certificate for study funds)
• Family-relation certificate when a parent's bank balance is used

Fees: change of status ₩100,000. The full table with legal citations is on /fees.

→ Guide: D-2 financial proof: exact amounts

Universities are tiered (우수인증대/인증대/일반/하위/컨설팅대); language students from China, Vietnam, Mongolia and Uzbekistan at non-certified universities need a Confirmation of Visa Issuance. Cuba, Syria, North Macedonia and Kosovo nationals: Confirmation of Visa Issuance only.

Official taxonomySubtypes (10)

Who holds itD-2 holders by nationality

TrendMonthly arrivals on the D-2

In 2026-06, 14,612 people entered Korea on a D-2 visa, down 13.6% from a year earlier.