South Korea Student Visa: Requirements, Fees & Application Process

A South Korea student visa is a long-term visa that allows international students to live and study in the country for courses lasting more than 90 days. It is an official requirement for international students who want to enter and stay in South Korea for educational purposes. You must have a valid student visa to legally pursue a course that lasts longer than 90 days.

There are two main types of South Korea student visas for international students: the D-2 visa and the D-4 visa. 

Here are the details of the types of South Korea study visas:

• D-2 Visa: Issued to students enrolled in full-time bachelor's, master's, and PhD programmes at recognised Korean universities. It also covers exchange programmes, summer and winter schools, and research scholars.
• D-4 Visa: Designed for students pursuing Korean language training or other non-degree programmes. Many international students begin with a D-4 visa before transitioning to a D-2 visa for a full-time degree.

Before applying for a South Korea student visa, you must meet the academic, financial, and health requirements set by the Korean authorities. However, the eligibility criteria differ for D-2 and D-4 visas based on the type of programme you plan to study.

Eligibility Criteria for D-2 South Korean Student Visa

• Academic Qualification: You need a high school diploma for a bachelor's programme or a bachelor's degree for a master's programme.
• University Admission: You must have an official Certificate of Admission (CoA) from a recognised South Korean university for a bachelor's, master's, PhD, or exchange programme.
• Language Proficiency: For Korean-taught courses, you may need TOPIK Level 3 or 4+, while English-taught courses may require IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL, depending on the university.
• Financial Proof: You may need to show around USD 20,000 (around INR 18 Lakh) in your bank account, usually held for 1-3 months. The required amount may be lower for universities outside the Seoul Metropolitan Area.

Eligibility Criteria for D-4 South Korean Student Visa

• Course Admission: You need an official Certificate of Admission (CoA) from a university-affiliated Korean language institute or an approved non-degree programme.
• Academic Qualification: You generally need a high school diploma or equivalent qualification to apply for a D-4 visa.
• Language Proficiency: You do not need prior Korean language knowledge or a language test score because the D-4 programme is designed for language training.
• Financial Proof: You may need to show around USD 10,000 (around INR 9 Lakh) in your bank account. The required amount may be lower for universities outside the Seoul Metropolitan Area.

Important: Students awarded the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) can use their award letter as part of their financial documentation.

Applying for a South Korea Study Visa requires documents that prove your admission, identity, academic background, and financial capacity. 

Here's the complete checklist you need to prepare before submitting your application:

• Certificate of Admission: The original admission letter issued by the dean or president of your South Korean university, along with a copy of the university's business registration certificate.
• Passport: Your original passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining and blank pages, plus a copy of the personal details page.
• Visa Application Form: A completed and signed South Korea visa application form with a recent passport-sized photograph attached.
• Academic Transcripts: Notarised and apostilled copies of your graduation certificates, degrees, and transcripts from previously attended institutions.
• Sponsorship Documents: If sponsored by parents or guardians, their bank statements, a sponsorship letter, and occupation or income proof.
• Tuberculosis Test Report: An original TB test certificate issued by a designated hospital or testing laboratory.
• Study Plan: A brief personal statement outlining your academic objectives and reasons for choosing South Korea.

You can apply for a South Korea student visa through a VFS Global Korea Visa Application Centre after securing admission to a recognised university, with ARC registration required after you arrive in South Korea.

Follow these steps to apply for a South Korea student visa:

• Step 1: Choose the Right Visa Category: Determine whether you need a D-2 visa for a degree programme or a D-4 visa for a language or non-degree course based on your admission offer.
• Step 2: Complete the Visa Application Form: Fill out the student visa application form through the Korea Visa Portal, print it, and keep it ready along with your supporting documents.
• Step 3: Submit your Application at VFS Global: Visit the VFS Global Korea Visa Application Centre that serves your state of residence and submit your completed application with the required original documents.
• Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee: Pay the applicable visa fee during document submission. If you're applying through the Delhi or Kolkata VFS centres, note that express visa services may not be available, so plan your timeline accordingly.
• Step 5: Track your Application and Collect your Passport: Monitor your application status online or through SMS/email updates. Once approved, collect your passport from the VFS centre or choose courier delivery, if available.
• Step 6: Apply for an Alien Registration Card (ARC): Within 90 days of arriving in South Korea, register for an ARC at your local immigration office. The ARC is essential for opening a bank account, working part-time, and re-entering South Korea after international travel.

The South Korea student visa fee for Indian applicants is INR 5,400 for a long-term single-entry visa for stays of more than 91 days. The fee varies based on the visa type, while VFS service charges are additional. VFS also charges a service fee of INR 1,380 per applicant, inclusive of applicable GST. Express visa services, where available, have separate charges.

The table below compares the current South Korea student visa fees to help you identify the applicable charges:

Source: South Korea Student Visa Fee

The South Korea student visa processing time is usually 10-15 working days, depending on the application centre and visa application. Processing times can vary by centre and may take longer if additional checks or document verification are required.

• New Delhi: 10-14 working days
• Mumbai: Minimum 10 working days
• Chennai and Kolkata: Minimum 15 working days
• Peak Intake Periods: Applications may take longer during busy admission periods, so apply early to avoid delays.
• Transit Time: The time needed to send your passport from a regional centre to the concerned Consulate is not included in the processing estimate.

South Korea student visa’s validity depends on the visa type, with the initial visa generally allowing a single entry within 3 months of the date of issue. Your permitted stay after arrival then depends on your course and visa type.

The South Korea study visa validity differs for D-2 degree programmes and D-4 language or non-degree programmes.

• D-2 Visa: Students can usually stay for 1-2 years initially, with extensions based on their course duration.
• D-4 Visa: Students usually receive an initial stay of 6 months, which can be extended based on their programme and eligibility.

An Alien Registration Card (ARC) is mandatory for international students staying in South Korea for more than 90 days. Because the initial sticker in your passport is strictly a single-entry visa, it will terminate the moment you leave South Korea unless you complete your local registration. The ARC application costs 35,000 KRW (INR 2,180) and is processed within 3-6 weeks.

Here are the key details you should know about the ARC application process:

• Documents Required: Submit your original passport and a copy of the personal details and visa page, a completed ARC application form, one recent colour photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm), proof of residence (such as a dormitory certificate or rental agreement), and your university's Certificate of Enrolment.
• TB Test Requirement: Since India is classified among select high-risk countries, Indian students must also provide a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate issued by a local Public Health Center.
• Appointment Booking: Book your ARC appointment through the HiKorea portal. Some universities also arrange group appointments for international students during orientation.
• Submission and Fingerprinting: Visit your scheduled appointment to submit your documents and complete the mandatory fingerprint registration.
• Card Collection: After your application is approved, you can collect your ARC from the immigration office or choose postal delivery for an additional fee.
• Travel Restriction: Do not leave South Korea while your ARC application is under process, as exiting the country before receiving your ARC will invalidate your single-entry D-2 or D-4 visa.

One of the biggest reasons South Korea student visa applications get delayed isn't paperwork; it's poor planning. Many students arrange finances, collect documents, and apply for their visa only after receiving admission, leaving little room to handle unexpected delays during peak intake seasons. Starting your preparation a few months earlier can make the entire process far less stressful.

Yocket Premium helps you plan every stage of your study abroad journey, from shortlisting universities and building a strong application to understanding visa requirements and preparing the right financial documents. With personalised guidance from counsellors and visa experts, you can avoid common mistakes and stay on track for your preferred intake.