The D-2 student visa
Study, work part-time legally, and launch a career — the student visa explained.
In short
- The D-2 is the visa for degree students (bachelor's/master's/PhD) at a Korean university. (Language-only study is the D-4.)
- You apply from your home country once you have a Certificate of Admission — you generally can't get a new student visa inside Korea.
- Work needs a permit. The D-2 alone doesn't allow paid work — get the 시간제취업 허가 (part-time permit) first. Hours scale with your TOPIK level (up to 25–30/week; unlimited on vacation).
- Financial proof of roughly ₩20M / USD 20,000 (less in provinces) is required.
Korea is a top study destination, and the D-2 is more than a study permit — with the right steps it funds part of your living costs through part-time work and opens career paths (D-10 → E-7 → F-2) after graduation. Here's how it works in 2026.
D-2 vs D-4
| D-2 (degree) | D-4 (language) | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Degree programs at universities | Korean-language institutes |
| Work | Permit available after ~1 semester | Must wait 6 months (absolute) |
| NHIS | From ARC registration | 6 months after entry |
Many students start on D-4 to build Korean, then switch to D-2 for their degree.
Requirements
- Admission: a Certificate of Admission from an accredited (인증대학) Korean university. Verify the school isn't on any 2026 visa-issuance restriction list.
- Financial proof: a bank balance certificate in your name — roughly ₩20M (~USD 20,000) for Seoul-area universities, ~₩16M in provinces (some set higher). Dated within ~30 days; unclear/borrowed funds get more scrutiny. GKS scholars use their award letter.
- Academic documents: apostilled/authenticated diplomas & transcripts.
- Language: many programs want TOPIK 3+; English-track programs accept IELTS/TOEFL.
- Health: a tuberculosis test is required for applicants from many countries.
How to apply
Get admitted
Apply to a Korean university (Study in Korea portal / the school's admissions). Receive your Certificate of Admission.
Apply for the visa at home
At the Korean embassy/consulate: application form, passport, CoA, financial proof, apostilled academic docs, photos. Fee ~USD 40–90; processing ~2–4 weeks. Some countries get a printed Visa Grant Notice instead of a sticker — print it before flying.
Enter & register your ARC
At the airport, have your admission letter and address ready. Within 90 days, register for your ARC — essential for banking, phone, housing and NHIS.
Extend as needed
Extend at immigration ~2–4 weeks before expiry (enrollment certificate, updated financial proof, ARC, passport). D-2 students generally need at least a C (2.0) average to keep status and work rights.
Working part-time (do it legally)
This is where students get in trouble. The D-2 by itself does not permit work — you must get Part-Time Employment Permission (시간제취업 허가) from immigration first, with your school's confirmation. Working without it (or beyond your approved hours/employer/duties) is illegal employment.
- Hours scale with TOPIK (2026): undergrads at TOPIK 3–4+ can work up to ~25 hours/week; graduate students up to ~30. Lower Korean level = fewer hours. Unlimited hours during official vacations (and unlimited weekday+weekend for those with TOPIK 4+/KIIP).
- Permit is tied to a specific employer, workplace and duty — change jobs and you must re-apply with a new school recommendation.
- Restricted work: manufacturing needs TOPIK 4+; construction, gambling, and "special employment" (delivery riders, designated drivers, tutoring via workbooks, etc.) are generally not allowed.
- Apply via HiKorea (online appointment beats waiting in line); processing ~1–2 weeks.
After graduation
The D-2 is a launchpad. Common next steps:
- D-10 job-seeker: stay and hunt for work. In 2026, bachelor's grads from a Korean university (within 3 years) with TOPIK 4+ can switch to D-10 without the full points screening. See status & extensions.
- E-7: convert to a skilled work visa once you have a qualifying job offer.
- K-STAR / F-2 fast-track: STEM master's/PhD grads from designated research universities can move toward F-2 residence quickly — the road to F-5 is much shorter.
Common questions
Can I work as soon as I arrive?
No paid work without the part-time permit, and most schools require ~1 completed semester before you can apply. D-4 holders must wait a full 6 months.
Can I bring family?
Master's (D-2-3) and PhD (D-2-4) students can generally bring a spouse and minor children on F-3; some undergrad sub-codes can't. See our F-3 guide.
Is private tutoring okay?
All paid work needs permission, and workbook/private tutoring is often a restricted "special employment" category. Unreported cash tutoring risks deportation if reported.
What if my grades drop?
Below a C (2.0) average can jeopardize both work permission and visa extension. A strong TOPIK score helps offset a weak semester at extension time.
Sources: Korea Immigration Service / Ministry of Justice (체류 안내 매뉴얼), HiKorea, Study in Korea, university international offices. 2026 part-time hour expansion and D-10 fast-track per current MOJ guidance.
Last verified: July 2026. Hour limits, financial-proof amounts and rules vary by program/school and change — confirm via HiKorea, 1345, and your school's international office before acting. General information, not immigration advice.
Studying in Korea?
Ask other students about part-time permits and post-grad visas — post in the community and tag it Immigration.