Which visa do I need for a full degree in South Korea and how much financial proof must I show?
Indian students need a D-2 visa for any full degree programme in South Korea, while a language course first leads to a D-4 visa. Financial proof of around KRW 20,000,000 needs to be held for at least 28 days, and processing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
For a full degree in South Korea you will need a D-2 visa. If you begin with a language course, you get a D-4 visa instead. Financial proof is around KRW 20,000,000 (approx INR 14.20 L), held for at least 28 days.
Visa and financial proof
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa for a full degree | D-2 |
| Visa for a language course first | D-4 |
| Financial proof | Around 20,000,000 KRW (approx INR 14.20 L), held for at least 28 days |
| Other document | Certificate of Admission from your university |
| Processing time | Usually 2 to 4 weeks |
After you land
- Register for the Alien Registration Card within 90 days of landing.
- Part-time work is allowed within immigration limits: weekly limits that depend on your Korean (TOPIK) level and the university's accreditation, roughly 10 to 25 hours for bachelor's students and 15 to 30 hours for master's and PhD students, with higher limits on weekends and vacations.
My Advice
Start moving your funds early, because the 28 day holding period can catch students out. Apply as soon as your admission letter arrives so the 2 to 4 week processing time does not squeeze your departure. Confirm current amounts on the official Korean visa portal.
This information is available on: studyinkorea.go.kr
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