If you are thinking about studying or going to university in Seoul, you have plenty of options. The main consensus on studying in Korea is good: students generally love living and studying in Seoul. With plenty of activities, bars, clubs and great shopping, Seoul is a great place for students… especially considering that their educational programs are among the best in the world.
Getting a student visa in Korea is dependent on several things, including the length of the program you plan to take and how much money you have in your bank account. You generally do not need a sponsor, and sometimes it’s possible to take courses while on a tourist visa. You will usually, however, need one of three types of visas to study and live in Seoul: a C3, a D2 or a D4. For all of these visas, you need to apply while still in your home country (although there are always exceptions to the rule). They have been known to take a considerable amount of time to process in some cases, so it is always a good idea to apply for your visa as far in advance as possible.
C3 Visa
A C3 visa is for those who are planning on studying for less than three months. This usually means it is for students who are studying Korean and want to take an intensive, short term language course with an accredited institute. This visa is typically the easiest to obtain; you can often receive it within a day, depending on how busy the embassy is. You cannot apply for paid work while using this visa.
Required documents:
- Valid passport
- Recent passport photo
- Completed application form
- Proof of acceptance into a short term program at an accredited institution
- Visa processing fee (usually around $30.00 USD)
* You may require other documents depending on your travel/school itinerary. For more information, please contact your local Korean embassy.
D4 Visa
If you plan to stay in the country longer than three months, you will need to apply for a D4 visa. This visa also applies to students who plan to study Korean at an accredited language institute or receive any other type of professional/educational training. It is slightly more difficult to obtain and at the time of writing, it seems it is both virtually impossible and very easily done in-country, depending on your personal situation and, perhaps, the mood of the immigration official.
If you have a C3 visa and want to switch to a D4, it is possible to do if you apply two months before your C3 visa expires; however, you will usually have to leave the country for a quick visa run in order to achieve this. It is advisable to obtain this visa at your nearest Korean embassy before you move to Korea.
Those studying in Korea under a D4 visa are not allowed to apply for paid work.
Required documents:
- Valid passport
- Recent passport photo
- Completed application form
- Certificate of admission
- Certificate or receipt of tuition payment
- Visa processing fees
* Depending on your country of residence, specifically China, you may require other necessary documents. In other areas, you may require proof of adequate funds to cover your costs during your stay. Please contact your local embassy for more information.
D2 Visa
A D2 visa is for those who plan to study at any university, technical or research institute for any extended period of time. To apply for a D2 visa you will have to present to the Korean embassy in your home country. Those studying in Korea with a D2 visa are allowed to obtain part time jobs and can work full time hours during school holidays.
Required documents:
- Valid passport (or photocopy of passport)
- Recent passport photo
- Completed application form
- Certificate of highest academic achievement to date (high school, bachelors, etc.)
- Letter of admission (including a statement that the applicant is financially able)
- Certificate of bank balance
- Visa processing fee
* For some international programs you will have to prove your parents nationality. These programs are intended for non-Koreans only, and you will need to prove that both you and your parents meet this requirement. Contact your university of interest for more information on this.
* If you are Chinese, you may be required to submit your census registry.
For more information, or to download online application forms, please visit this website: http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/index.html