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Visa Comparison — South Korea
and are both study visas, but they serve different purposes. The D-2 is for degree-seeking students enrolled in a full bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program at an accredited Korean university. The D-4 is for general training — most commonly Korean language study at a university-affiliated language institute (어학당). Many students start on D-4 to build their Korean proficiency, then transfer to D-2 once admitted to a degree program.
University language institute, vocational school
| Admission required? | Yes — acceptance letter from degree program | Yes — enrollment in approved training course |
| Initial duration | ✓ Up to 2 years per grant (extendable to program end) | Up to 1 year per grant (tied to course length) |
| Part-time work allowed? | Yes — up to 20 hrs/week during semester; unlimited during official vacation | Yes — up to 20 hrs/week (사전허가 required) |
| Work permit process | ✓ Apply once; valid for full study period after approval | Must obtain work permit before starting; renewed each year |
| Korean language required? | Varies by program — some taught in English | You are there to learn Korean — no prior requirement |
| Path after completion | ✓ |
| Scholarship eligibility | ✓ GKS (Government Korean Scholarship) available | GKS not available; private/university scholarships possible |
| Health insurance | Required — enrolled in NHIS (국민건강보험) | Required — enrolled in NHIS |
Purpose
D-2
Degree programs (BA, MA, PhD, associate)
D-4
Language training, vocational training, non-degree courses
Typical institution
D-2
Accredited university or college
D-4
University language institute, vocational school
Admission required?
D-2
Yes — acceptance letter from degree program
D-4
Yes — enrollment in approved training course
Initial duration
D-2
Up to 2 years per grant (extendable to program end)
D-4
Up to 1 year per grant (tied to course length)
Part-time work allowed?
D-2
Yes — up to 20 hrs/week during semester; unlimited during official vacation
D-4
Yes — up to 20 hrs/week (사전허가 required)
Work permit process
D-2
Apply once; valid for full study period after approval
D-4
Must obtain work permit before starting; renewed each year
Korean language required?
D-2
Varies by program — some taught in English
D-4
You are there to learn Korean — no prior requirement
Path after completion
D-2
job seeker visa; F-2-7 / via work experience
D-4
Convert to if admitted to degree program; or after meeting requirements
Scholarship eligibility
D-2
GKS (Government Korean Scholarship) available
D-4
GKS not available; private/university scholarships possible
Health insurance
D-2
Required — enrolled in NHIS (국민건강보험)
D-4
Required — enrolled in NHIS
D-2is right for you if…
You have been admitted (or plan to apply) to a degree program at a Korean university
You want to stay in Korea long-term and build a path to work or residency
You qualify for a GKS scholarship or university tuition support
You want more flexibility to work part-time during your studies
D-4is right for you if…
You want to learn Korean before applying to a degree program or job
You are already in Korea and need to regularize your status while studying at a language institute
You want a shorter commitment — language courses run 3–12 months
You are exploring Korea before committing to a multi-year degree
Typical path:
The → pathway is very common: foreign students spend 1–2 years on D-4 at a university language institute, reach TOPIK level 3–4, then apply to and get accepted into a degree program. After admission, they convert to D-2 in-country without leaving Korea.
Can I work while on a D-4 visa?
Yes — but only up to 20 hours per week, and you must obtain prior work authorization (사전취업허가) from the immigration office. You cannot start working before getting this permit. Violation can result in visa cancellation.
Can I change from D-4 to D-2 without leaving Korea?
Yes. Once you receive an admission letter from a Korean university degree program, you can apply for a status change at your local immigration office. You do not need to return home.
How long can I stay on a D-4 visa?
D-4 is typically granted for the length of your course enrollment, up to 1 year per grant. Extensions are possible if you enroll in further courses. The total maximum stay on D-4 is generally 2 years for language training.
Does D-2 study count toward the F-2-7 K-Point score?
Graduating from a Korean university (bachelor's or higher) adds bonus points to your K-Point score for F-2-7. A Korean university bachelor's degree adds 10–15 bonus points, which can be decisive in reaching the 80-point threshold.
Can I study Korean at a private academy (학원) on a tourist visa?
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Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026
