Are you here to learn how to apply for a student visa in South Korea? Awesome, it’s really simplified in this article.
South Korea is a dream to many – and that dream can be reached faster after reading the following information! 😉
Here are the 6 steps to get a student visa in South Korea:
#1 Apply to universities in South Korea
The first thing that you need to do after deciding to study in South Korea is to apply to a university there. To be able to get a student visa, you need to get accepted into a university and get a “Certificate of Admission”.
Apply to the university that suits your needs, whether by looking at the fees, location, program availability, or anything else that matters to you!
To provide you with options, here are some of the top universities in South Korea:
- Seoul National University
- Yonsei University
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- Pohang University of Science and Technology
To apply for them, you will usually need the following:
- The school’s application form (you can find that on universities’ websites)
- A copy of your passport
- Your high school diploma in English
- Proof that you can finance your studies in Korea
- Motivation letter/personal statement
#2 Figure out the type of visa you need
There are multiple visas that you can apply for to go to South Korea and the type that matches your needs must be chosen according to your nationality, the duration of your studies, and the type of degree or certificate that you will be obtaining.
All students who are seeking a degree in South Korea should apply for a student visa called a D-visa, followed by a number that varies depending on what you will study in Korea.
Here are the specific student visa types for each degree:
- Associate Degree (D-2-1)
- Bachelor’s Degree (D-2-2)
- Master’s Degree (D-2-3)
- Doctoral Degree (D-2-4)
- Research Study (D-2-5)
- Exchange Student (D-2-6)
#3 Organize your documents
Now that you are familiar with the types of visas, you can go ahead and start organizing the application form, documents, and the rest of the requirements.
To know the exact eligibility criteria and requirements for any visa type, visit the government’s website and use their database. Enter your nationality and other personal information to get personalized results right away!
While the documents may vary, there are some requirements for a student visa in South Korea that are always the same, such as:
- Application form (you will find that on the government website mentioned above)
- A valid passport
- Passport size photo (3.5cm×4.5cm with white background; must be taken within the past 6 months)
- Certificate of Admission (issued by a Korean University)
- Application fee ( around $60 to $90 USD)
- ID card
- An Invitation Letter issued by the Ministry of National Defense
- Some Embassies might ask for proof of financing and your high school diploma
#4 Apply at the embassy
Many students want to know where to apply for a student visa in South Korea after filling out the forms. Well, the good news is that it is really straightforward…
After visiting the website, finding the exact requirements, and filling out the forms, you will have to organize all these documents and bring them to the Korean embassy to apply there!
#5 Get your visa
Waiting times might differ in each country, be sure to ask this question when you apply for the visa in person! This will help you plan the rest of your trip, including booking the flight, buying the essentials, packing your bags, and more.
You will have to collect your visa personally at the Korean Embassy when the visa is issued. Usually, a student visa is valid for entrance 3 months after issuance.
#6 Fly away
All that is left is to fly away to South Korea and enjoy the rest of your experience! 🤩
Got enough information on how to apply for a student visa in South Korea? Great, share it with your friends so they can plan their trip with you! 😉
