Interested in studying in South Korea but you don’t know your visa options? This is the perfect place to start. This visa guide for international students will help you better understand your options.
About Studying in South Korea
South Korean universities continue to expand their programs for international students who wish to study in the country. Such a drive to attract foreign students means that South Korea offers a few ways to become an international student.
In this post, we will look at information for two groups of people: 1) international people moving to Korea to study and 2) international residents of Korea who want to further their education. South of Seoul volunteers have followed both tracks and want each group to understand their options.
Option 1: International People From Outside of Korea
Individuals who wish to move to South Korea to study usually take advantage of a D-2 visa type appropriate for their area of study and program. Korea offers both English and Korean degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Additionally, schools in Korea offer summer programs, exchange programs, and language programs.
Some may also be surprised to learn that Korea has both Korean and international universities. That’s right some foreign universities have campuses in South Korea. For example, the Incheon Global Campus hosts Stony Brook University, George Mason University, Ghent University, and the University of Utah Asian Campus.
Types of Korean D-2 Visas
Keep in mind that there are different types of D-2 Korean visas depending on what type of educational opportunity you will pursue in South Korea.
| D-2 Visa Subtype | Purpose |
|---|---|
| D-2-1 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| D-2-2 | Master’s Degree |
| D-2-3 | Doctoral Degree |
| D-2-4 | Postdoctoral Degree |
| D-2-5 | Research |
| D-2-6 | Exchange Student |
| D-2-7 | Language Training |
| D-2-8 | Short-term Summer or Winter School Programs |
| D-2-9 | Specific Studies (Non-degree) |
| D-2-10 | Internship |
Nationalities Eligibility for D-2 Visas
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website will say that foreign nationals worldwide can apply for the D-2 Student Visa. However, the reality is that sometimes South Korea may stop offering visas to students from different countries if former students from such countries have a high rate of “running.” This means, they come to Korea on a student visa and then disappear once they gain employment.
Financial Requirements
All incoming international students need to submit a bank account in their name showing 10,000 USD. It was lowered from 20,000 USD in 2022. Many students choose to borrow from a variety of family and friends and then return the money later.
Work and the D-2 Visa
Some D-2 visas even allow you to work while in Korea although job prospects are often limited due to time and language restrictions. Generally speaking, and much like in other countries like the US, international students work in restaurants, cafes, and other low-wage service jobs. The following PDF is the Guidelines on Employment for International Students in Korea published in 2021.
Keep in mind, rules change over time so double-check the details
Option 2: International Residents Living in South Korea
However, not all international individuals who want to study in Korea come from abroad. Some of us work in South Korea and decide to go back to school to further our education. In that case, the following visa types can enroll in degree-seeking programs in Korea while working:
| Visa Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| A-Type | |
| A-1 | Diplomat |
| A-2 | Government Official |
| A-3 | Treaty |
| E-Type | |
| E-1 | Professor |
| E-2 | Foreign Language Instructor |
| E-3 | Research |
| E-4 | Technical Instruction |
| E-5 | Professional Employment |
| E-6 | Artistic Performer |
| E-7 | Designated Activities |
| E-8 | Trainee |
| F-Type | |
| F-1 | Visiting or Joining Family |
| F-2 | Residential |
| F-3 | Dependent Family |
| F-4 | Overseas Korean |
| F-5 | Permanent Residence |
| F-6 | Marriage Migrant |
Keep in mind, studying a full-time degree program and holding down a full-time job will not be easy. It’s important to find a degree program that will work with your schedule. For example, some graduate programs offer all classes during the weekend.
Pros and Cons of D-2 Visa v. Other Visas
Sometimes, if you already live in South Korea, you will need to decide between switching to a D-2 visa and studying in Korea on your current visa. The following is an example of a comparison chart for an E-2 visa holder trying to decide if they should change to a D-2, We recommend researching carefully and making a chart such as this when faced with this decision:
| Pros | Cons | |
| D-2 | * Studying is the priority * Discounted health insurance * Eligible for National Scholarships | * 10,000 in savings required * Low-wage jobs * Responsible for finding housing |
| E-2 | * Health insurance split with the employer * Don’t need 10,000 in savings Job under contract * Possible employer housing | * Not Eligible for National Scholarships * Limited to programs that don’t conflict with current job. * Limited time to study because of work commitments |
Choosing to study while also maintaining a work contract is not an easy choice. However, with some sacrifices, we have proven it’s possible.
Additional Blog Posts About Studying in Korea
We also recommend reading the following South of Seoul blog posts about becoming an international student in South Korea:
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
