A student visa in Korea allows you, as a foreign student from any country or nationality, to travel to Korea to study and stay for the duration of your course without being harassed by the Korean authorities. The visa, obtained from the Korean embassy, also informs airport officials of the purpose and duration of the visit.
When the visa expires, of course, it is expected that you have completed your course of study and are ready to leave Korea.
Do you want to get a student visa in Korea and wonder how to do it? This article carefully outlines everything you need to know about the Korean student visa, carefully detailing the requirements, processing time, and even the fees you’ll need to pay. Let us begin.
Types of student visas in Korea
A student visa allows foreign students of any country or nationality to travel to their countries of study and stay for the duration of their course without being harassed by the country’s authorities.
The visa, obtained from the embassy of the country of study, also informs airport officials about the purpose and duration of the visit. When the visa expires, the student is expected to have completed their course of study and is ready to leave the country. The various student visas in Korea are:
General Learner Visa (D-4):
This visa is intended for interns or trainee students who are training or conducting research at research centers or training facilities. It is also intended for students enrolled in a university-affiliated language center who are learning Korean. Documents required for this visa application include, but are not limited to.
- Application for confirmation of visa issuance (form no. 21),
- A copy of your passport, a standard-size photograph, and fees.
- A copy of the business registration of the educational institute or a photocopy of a unique number card
- Standardized acceptance letter (issued by the president/dean of the university)
- Enrollment letter or a duplicate copy of the graduation diploma from your last level of education
- A document that demonstrates your ability to support yourself financially during your stay* * You must also present a certificate of family relations if you present the account statement of your parents.
- Documents proving your financial ability should be reviewed in their original form (e.g., bank statement, savings book, scholarship receipt, deposit/withdrawal statement), but if necessary, a duplicate copy can be attached later. for an official in charge to compare the original copy. and a duplicate copy to confirm authenticity (Statement is only accepted when issued within the last 30 days).
- Training strategy (including conference schedule, list of speakers, details of training facilities, etc.)
short-term student visa
This type of visa is issued to students who are enrolled in a course of study that lasts less than 90 days.
long-term student visas
This visa allows you to study for more than 90 days, such as at a university or language school.
How student visas work in Korea
The student visa in Korea is not for everyone. You may not be able to get a Korean visa if you have a visa for the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand and you are traveling directly from one of those countries or intend to travel there later.
You are also exempt from the Korea student visa if you are a Chinese group tourist on a group tourist visa to Japan or if you have a flight out of the country scheduled within the next 30 days.
Requirements or Eligibility Criteria for Student Visa in Korea
To be eligible to apply for a student visa in Korea, you must be a student with a recent admission to any of the prestigious Korean universities. The documents you need for a student visa in Korea are:
- Your original passport, along with a photocopy of the photo page. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the expected date of entry into Korea.
- CoA or Confirmation of Visa Issuance from a Korean University (where you complete sections 2 and 3.5)
- Visa application fee
- 1 passport photo (not required for students with Visa Issuance Confirmation)
- A completed visa application form (for the most recent version, visit the embassy websites).
- Some embassies may also require proof of funding and your high school diploma, so always double-check with the Korean Embassy or Consulate to see what documents they require.
- Additional documentation may be required if you are participating in a university exchange program.
How long is the Korean student visa valid?
If you intend to study at a Korean university for more than 90 days, you must obtain a student visa. An Admission Certificate from a Korean university is required to apply. To obtain such a document, you generally have to pay for at least two 10-week periods. Korean universities offer four 10-week terms per academic year.
A student visa is known as a D visa, followed by a number that varies depending on what you plan to study in Korea. After six months of study in Korea on a student visa, you can apply for the right to work part-time.
A student visa is generally valid for three months after it is issued, and you can currently stay in Korea for six months before it needs to be renewed, although some schools offer visas that are valid for longer periods of time without renewal. If you take a longer course at a university, your school can help you with this.
Korean student visa fees and cost
You will need a student visa to study in South Korea; however, if you intend to stay longer than 90 days, it is easier to purchase a 90-day student visa and then renew it once in Korea.
The visa application fee is $45 and you must apply in person or by mail.
How to apply for a student visa in Korea?
The steps to follow when applying for a student visa in Korea are:
Step 1: Determine which visa you need
The type of visa you can apply for is determined by your nationality and the length of time you intend to study in Korea. For those who want to study in South Korea, there are three different visa options to consider when considering a student visa in Korea.
Within your time limit, you can participate in a short visa waiver program in South Korea. Take a language course at Lexis Korea, for example, or a summer course at a university.
If you don’t have enough time to apply for a student visa to Korea, you can enter the country on a visa waiver and then switch to a student visa after you arrive, but before your visa waiver has been exceeded.
Step 2: Apply to a Korean university.
This is the second step in applying for a Korean student visa. You must first apply for and be admitted to a Korean university before applying for a student visa. Colleges often have application windows. For the typical application you will need:
- The application form for the school.
- A duplicate of your passport.
- Your English high school diploma
- Proof that you can afford to study in Korea (usually at least $100,000).
- A letter of motivation
Step 3: Obtain your visa documentation
Being accepted into a university program is the next step in obtaining a student visa in Korea. The university will send you a Certificate of Admission once you have paid your tuition.
After receiving this document, you can apply for a student visa at the Korean embassy in your home country. If you want to enter Korea on a student visa, we recommend that you pay the tuition at least two months before the start of your program.
This should give you enough time to receive your admission documents and apply for your visa. If you do not have enough time to obtain a student visa before the start of your program, you can travel to South Korea on a visa waiver as a last resort and apply for a student visa on the spot.
Step 4: Submit an Application to the Korean Embassy in your country
Apply for a visa at the Korean embassy in your home country. You can find the address, website, and other contact information for the Korean embassy in your home country here.
If you have questions about the Korean student visa application, please contact the Embassy or your school. The documents that are normally required at the embassy when applying for a student visa or working holiday visa are listed above.
Step 5. Get your visa
After the Embassy receives your visa application, it usually takes about two weeks to receive your visa in Sweden. Waiting times may vary from country to country. If you are in a hurry, contact the embassy to see if they can help you sooner. Unless you use a visa agency to do the work for you, you must pick up your visa in person at the Korean Embassy.
A Korean student visa is generally valid for three months after it is issued, and you can currently stay in Korea for six months before it needs to be renewed, although some schools offer visas that are valid for longer periods of time without renewal. If you take a longer course at a university, your school can help you with this.
Korean Student Visa Processing Time
You cannot apply for a study visa until the destination university has officially accepted you. This procedure can take two to three months or more to complete. During this time, the consulate will hold your passport while your visa is processed.
Can I get a student visa in Korea without IELTS?
International students will find it very easy to gain admission to Korea. There are 43 national universities and 180 private universities in South Korea that accept international students without IELTS and have modern educational facilities with highly qualified researchers.
As an international student, it is convenient to demonstrate your proficiency in the Korean or English languages. However, they do not require proof of proficiency to be in the IELTS. Scores from a TOEFL test or from a university-developed test (TEPS) may be submitted.
Work while studying in Korea
Many applicants ask this question because they are well aware of the possibility of running out of funds as their studies progress. However, it is not impossible. Students cannot work full time.
Under certain conditions, you may be allowed to work to support yourself while you study. You are only legally allowed to work part-time (about 60% of full-time employment for a year) and can only start your second year of study after receiving a valid residence permit. When you apply for a job, tell your employer that you are an international student so they will only consider your part-time job application.
about the most common questions
How long does it take to get a student visa in Korea?
You cannot apply for a study visa until you have been officially accepted by the destination university. This procedure can take two to three months or more to complete. During this time, the consulate will hold your passport while your visa is processed.
How long does it take to get a visa for Korea?
The processing time for a visa varies depending on the Korean Embassy but generally takes three to ten days. Within 90 days after arrival in Korea, the person must apply for an alien registration card.
How much bank balance is required for a student visa to Korea?
Students enrolled in a one-term program (3-4 months) must provide a recent bank statement with a minimum balance of $3,000, while students enrolled in a one-year program must provide a recent bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000.
Is it possible for me to stay in Korea after I graduate?
International graduates on student or job search visas who have received a master’s degree from a Korean university and have a confirmed employment contract with a Korean company are eligible to apply for a residence visa.
How much money do Korean students earn?
The hourly wage ranges from 8,000 to 12,000 won. Jobs that require good Korean language skills will also pay more, with an average salary of 25,000-200,000 won per hour. Translators, interpreters, and tour guides working in companies can earn between 400,000 and XNUMX won per hour.
How much does a Korean student visa cost?
$45 You will need a student visa to study in South Korea; however, if you intend to stay longer than 90 days, it is easier to purchase a 90-day student visa and then renew it once in Korea. The visa application fee is $45. This visa must be applied for in person or by mail.
Conclusion
Students living and studying in Korea can explore a beautiful and vibrant country. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in Korea. Students are sure to enjoy a variety of interesting sights and beautiful sights, whether they are exploring Korea’s large and bustling capital city, Seoul, or the country’s lush coastlines and countryside. The Korean student visa, although it is a long process, it is absolutely worth it.
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