D-2 Visa
2025-10-03
D-2 Visa Overview
A visa issued for study or research at educational and academic research institutions at the junior college level or higher.
1
Eligible Applicants
- A person who wishes to pursue a degree program (associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree) at a university or academic research institution at the junior college level or higher that meets the requirements set by the Minister of Justice
2
Period of Stay
- 1) On first issuance, the visa is generally granted in 1-year units, but 2 years are granted for certified or excellence-certified universities (the certified university benefit also applies to extension of period of stay)
- 2) D-2-5, D-2-6, and D-2-8 are granted in 1-year units (See details on extension of period of stay)
| Category | Maximum Period of Stay (from admission date) | Exception |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree | 3 years | Up to 4 years for 3-year programs |
| Bachelor's degree | 6 years | Up to 7 years for 5-year programs |
| Master's degree | 5 years | Up to 6 years for 3-year programs |
| Doctoral degree | 8 years | Up to 7 years for 2-year programs |
3 Visa Types
| Category | Visa | Sub-status of Stay | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree program | D-2-1 | Associate degree | A person who wishes to pursue a degree program (associate degree) at a junior college or its academic institution |
| Degree program | D-2-2 | Bachelor's degree | A person who wishes to pursue a degree program (bachelor's degree) at a university or its academic institution |
| Degree program | D-2-3 | Master's degree | A person who wishes to pursue a degree program (master's degree) at a graduate school or its academic institution |
| Degree program | D-2-4 | Doctoral degree | A person who wishes to pursue a degree program (doctoral degree) at a graduate school or its academic institution |
| Degree program | D-2-7 | Work-study program | An international student selected as a government-invited scholar, etc., who wishes to study or is enrolled in a degree program at the associate level or higher at a Korean university |
| General | D-2-5 | Research program | A person who wishes to conduct specific research at a junior college, university, graduate school, or academic institution at the junior college level or higher |
| General | D-2-6 | Exchange student | An international student earning credits through a student exchange program under an academic exchange agreement with an overseas university |
| General | D-2-8 | Visiting student | A student or staff member of a foreign university who wishes to study at a Korean university for a short period of 1 year or less outside a degree program |
4
Statuses of Stay That Allow Study Without a Separate Permit
- 1) Diplomacy (A-1) ~ Agreement (A-3)
- 2) Culture and Arts (D-1), General Training (D-4-2), Journalism (D-5) ~ Trade Management (D-9)
- 3) Professor (E-1) ~ Specially Designated Activities (E-7), Non-professional Employment (E-9), Seafarer Employment (E-10)
- 4) Visiting and Joining Family (F-1) ~ Marriage Migrant (F-6)
- 5) Refugee Applicant (G-1-5), Humanitarian Stay Permit (G-1-6)
- 6) Working Visit (H-2)
- 7) Holders of other statuses of stay who have received a permit for activities outside their status for study (D-2)
- ※ Holders of Non-professional Employment (E-9), Seafarer Employment (E-10), or Refugee Applicant (G-1-5) status may study without a separate permit, but cannot change their status of stay to Study (D-2) on the grounds of study after their current period of stay ends; they must leave Korea and obtain a new visa.
5
Part-time Work
- International students holding study status may engage in part-time employment. (Check part-time work rules)