Do you plan on studying in South Korea? Get to know the D2 visa application process. This includes tips and tricks that may make the application process go more smoothly. The process often has little hurdles along the way that you may need to feel prepared to navigate.
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Exposing the Struggles Within the D-2 Application Process
Researching and reading about D-2 visas in South Korea often feels confusing or conflicting. Such feelings may come from noticing that what you are reading isn’t written with much detail. Some factors that may impact the detail of D-2 visa application information may include:
- Differences in how English is used around the world may mean that the information about D-2 visas doesn’t feel clearly explained or word choices offer multiple interpretations.
- Each country has a different diplomatic relationship with South Korea so students from different countries may have different information experiences.
- The Korean Embassy in each country may operate differently based on staff and resources so no one process exists.
- Each university creates its own system for managing incoming international students and may have different requirements in addition to Korean immigration requirements.
- Information is provided from various social and cultural lenses with different types of hidden cultures that others can’t understand.
- Type of education or program the blog post is referring to. For example, maybe the blog post is addressing high school students rather than university students.
Such issues mean that you need to be proactive in reading many different blog posts and asking your university a lot of questions. We know we need to ask an endless number of questions even when we research a simple blog such as this.
Different Lenses Involved in the D-2 Process
Remember that the D2 application process means that you will be navigating the rules of many different organizations and countries. Each person within each organization may have a different perspective on the D-2 application process and what needs to be done. Here is a list of the primary players involved in making D-2 visas happen:
- Student: (most likely you, the reader) Make sure that you understand your fears, needs, and expectations regarding the D-2 application process. What expectations and requirements do you have regarding deadlines, paperwork, finances, etc.
- Visa Agent: (May or may not be involved) For those using a visa agent, you need to understand their qualifications for being an agent and their expectations and requirements regarding deadlines, paperwork, finances, etc.
- School Admissions Office: The school you will be attending will have its own timelines and paperwork requirements that may be different from the Visa Agent, Korean Embassy, or Korean Immigration.
- Korean Embassy in the Student’s Country: The Korean embassy will have its own expectations regarding paperwork, deadlines, etc.
- Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부): Korean immigration may pass rules that impact the D-2 visa application process or the speed at which decisions occur.
- Korean Federal Government: Additionally, changes in Korean law can impact Korean immigration which impacts Korean Embassies.
- Everyone Providing Information Online: Remember that every organization and creator supporting international students becomes part of the process. You need to remember that we all, including South of Seoul, share information that’s from our perspective on the world. The information can all be right or wrong depending on your specific situation. Do not take any information as God’s Honest Truth. Everything changes all the time based on many factors.
As you can see, applying for a student visa in South Korea has many parts. To make it harder, each organization only sees its own interests. This can often leave students feeling caught in the middle without control of an event the students feel extremely emotionally or financially invested in completing. The impact on the student may include depression or other mental health concerns.
Mental Health and Visa Applications
Expect the unexpected and safeguard your mental health. Understand that having all these different people involved in the D-2 process means that even if you turn in all the paperwork that was asked for, you may have to turn in more later. The many potential and sudden changes don’t feel good or safe which, when combined with the excitement of moving to a new country, can lead a person to therapy.
Don’t expect the D-2 visa application process to be as simple as it may appear. We have consulted with university admissions teams in the past and no two semesters were the same. Don’t panic though, your school wants you to attend so they will often be in your corner even when it doesn’t feel like it. It’s not you, it’s the process.
Now that we have covered the messy parts of the D-2 application process, let’s dig into how to actually get your D-2 visa.
How to Apply for a D2 Visa Types
Once you have your acceptance letter from a school in South Korea, the application for the D-2 visa needs submitted and completed through the Korean Embassy in your home country. This means you need to complete the D-2 application process before leaving for South Korea. Don’t apply and simply fly to South Korea before the D-2 visa is fully processed. Keep in mind, an application does not guarantee your visa and they may need additional information.
We have known students who did this and it caused great financial hardship and issues for the student and their university. So one more time just to be clear, don’t fly to Korea to study until your D-2 visa has completed processing.
Different Types of D2 Visas
Keep in mind, there are different types of D-2 visas depending on what type of studying you will do in South Korea. The full-time degree students need a classic D-2 while exchange students get a D-2-6 visa and summer or winter school students get a D-2-8 visa. While reading the following information you need to consider how the information applies to your D2 visa subtype.
Embassy Schedules
Confirm the application delivery times with your local Korean embassy. Each embassy in each country has its own schedule based on its available staffing. Some embassies may require an appointment and others may not. Some Korean embassies may only receive applications during certain days and times.
Time Is Of The Essence
Students need to apply for their D-2 visas immediately upon admission to a Korean university. Many hurdles can come out along the way and if the visa is delayed the school may cancel acceptance.
Public Holidays
Additionally, the Korean Embassy may follow Korean and local holidays. This means you need to be aware of when Chuseok and other Korean public holidays occur. Just because it’s not a holiday in your country doesn’t mean it’s not a holiday in Korea.
Keep this in mind during the entire application process. Unknown holidays may impact banking and postal deliveries.
Visa Agents
Visa agents specialize in helping others with the application, management, and procurement of visas. They have an in-depth understanding of visa requirements, application processes, and immigration laws of various countries. This expertise enables them to provide guidance and ensure that applications are correctly filled out, thereby maximizing the chances of approval.
The process of obtaining a visa can be complex, time-consuming, and stressful, especially if it’s your first time. Working with a visa agent may help simplify the process by handling the majority of the work, from gathering necessary documents to submitting the application and tracking its progress. Remember, while a visa agent can guide you through the process and improve your chances, they can’t guarantee the approval of your visa, as the final decision rests with the immigration authorities.
Additionally, you need to confirm with the Korean Embassy in your area that they allow Visa agents. If they do allow visa agents, make sure they allow the visa agent you plan to hire.
D2 Visa Applications Costs
The application cost of the D-2 Visa can vary. It is advisable to check the specific fee details on the Korean embassy’s official website for your country. Note that only cash payments are accepted.
No Appeal
Once the Korean a decision has been made regarding a D-2 visa, there is no appeal process.
No Reason for Denial
Embassies will not provide a reason for D-3 visa denial. This can be difficult and stressful for students since they do not know what needs to be fixed in order to apply again.
No Refunds for Embassy and App fees
No fees submitted for a D-2 visa application will not be returned, regardless of the outcome. Additionally, the visa application fees do not guarantee your D-2 visa application will be accepted.
D2 Application Document Checklist
You will likely need to prepare the following types of documents for the Korean Embassy. Keep in mind, this document list may change from semester to semester.
Keep in mind, the list of paperwork needed to apply for a D-2 may vary greatly depending on 1) the country that you come from, 2) the money you have saved, and if you are 3) studying in the city or the countryside. This is NOT something that the universities, immigration, or the embassy tend to be clear about.
Students from countries with a high risk of dropping out of school and disappearing into Korea to work will have more paperwork to complete. This is a fact students need to know about.
For Full-time Degree Programs
| Required Documents | Comments |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | Should include one passport photo taken against a white background. **Korean passport photo size: 35mm width by 45mm height |
| Transcripts | Apostilled or notarized within the country of origin. |
| Diploma | Apostilled or notarized within the country of origin. |
| Passport | Clear photocopies are required. |
| Work passes | Clear photocopies are required. |
| Certificate of Admission and Business Registration of Korean University | Copies required. Keep in mind, these are two different documents |
| Tuberculosis test result | Clear photocopies are required. |
| Bank account statements | 3-6 months of statements with a balance between 13,000 – 15,000 USD. Specifics depend on the country of origin and University-specific requirements. Quite frankly, the more money in savings the increased chance of having a D-2 visa approved. |
For Exchange Program (D-2-6 visa) / Summer or Winter School Program (D-2-8 visa)
| Required Documents | Comments |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | Should include one passport photo taken against a white background. |
| Passport | Clear photocopies are required. |
| Work passes | Clear photocopies required. |
| Re-entry permit | Applicable to PR only. |
D2 Visa Processing Time & Guidelines
It’s important to always leave plenty of time when applying for your D-2 visa. Although many Korean Embassies we researched online quoted a wait of 4-7 days, you need to allow more time than this. Visa processing for the D-2 times may vary based on factors such as:
- The Korean Embassy you work with
- Public Holidays
- Incomplete paper
- Additional requests for paperwork
- Changes in immigration laws
Express D2 Visa Processing
Most Korean Embassies do not offer urgent or express services.
D2 Visa Application Status Updates
Generally speaking, Korean embassies do not provide status updates on the application. Applicants are notified about the result on the predetermined collection date. You will simply have to manage the anxiety you feel around waiting for your D-2 visa to process. Another reason not to leave this until the last minute.
Understanding D-2 Visa Specifics
A D-2 Visa is strictly a single-entry visa, that expires after 3 months if you do not go to Korea. Consequently, students must ensure to land in Korea within three months of its issuance, or the visa may become null.
The D-2 visa validity strictly complies with the length of the study program mentioned in the admission certificate. If you are studying for 4 months then it’s valid for 4 months. If you are studying for 4 years, then it’s valid for 4 years. Students must be careful while planning their itinerary as no extensions are given to accommodate personal requests.
After the D-2 Visa is Issued
The D-2 visa is for a single entry and has a validity of 3 months. You must enter Korea within this 3-month period or the visa will expire. Once you enter Korea, the counting of your stay duration begins. The length of stay matches the study period listed on your admission certificate. For example, a 4-month study course means a 4-month stay duration. The embassy cannot grant extra days for personal purposes.
Studying Longer Than 3 Months
Students with a study program extending beyond 90 days need to apply for Korean Residency. Students do this by registering for a Foreign Registration Card (RC) at a local immigration office in Korea within the first 90 days of their arrival. Possessing a valid ARC allows students to maintain their D-2 student status, facilitating free movement in and out of Korea.
Some universities in South Korea may facilitate students applying for their RC while others may not. Students must have an RC to get a bank account and to legally work.
Permenantly Leaving Korea
Once students complete their studies in South Korea, students must surrender their RC at the immigration office or to an immigration officer at the airport while departing to avoid penalties. ***You do NOT surrender your card when just leaving for a holiday and coming back to study. The act of giving up the RC equates to giving up residency in South Korea.
Good Luck Applying for Your D-2
A variety of South of Seoul volunteers studied in South Korea. We found the experience rewarding despite the many complications involved with navigating immigration and learning new social systems. We wish you the best of luck in your studies.
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.
