What If I Transfer Universities on a D-2 Visa in Korea?
Changing universities in Korea is not just a school administration issue. Your D-2 visa is tied to your enrollment, institution, and education level. If you transfer without the correct immigration reporting or approval, you can fall out of status even if your new school has already accepted you.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 2026
Review & source basis
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
July 14, 2026
Source references
Issuance-manual sections covering D-2 student visa issuance, consular review, and TB-related entry screening.
Stay-manual sections covering D-2 extension, leave of absence, school transfer, reporting duties, and part-time work permission.
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
When a D-2 university transfer is possible
A D-2 transfer is usually possible when you are moving within the same broad academic level or progressing upward in a normal education path. Typical examples include:
- Bachelor's to master's
- Master's to doctoral program
- One bachelor's program to another bachelor's program, if immigration approves the change
The new school must issue a formal admission letter, and you must remain in legal stay status throughout the transfer process.
When transfers become difficult or are refused
Immigration scrutiny increases when the change looks like a downgrade or an attempt to stay in Korea without real study. Common risk cases include:
- Master's to bachelor's downgrade
- Repeated school changes in a short period
- Moving from a reputable university to a weak or unstable institution without a clear academic reason
- Transfer requests filed after attendance problems or extension refusals
If immigration concludes the transfer is not academically genuine, they can refuse the change and require you to depart Korea.
Documents and reporting steps
In practice, you should prepare:
- Passport and ARC
- Application form
- New school's admission letter
- Proof of tuition payment or registration
- Current school's records if requested
- Residence confirmation
Do not assume that enrolling at the new school automatically updates immigration. You must report the school change to immigration and, where required, obtain approval before the transfer takes effect.
What happens if you transfer without reporting it
Unreported school changes are treated as a status violation. The practical consequences can include:
- Problems when extending your D-2 later
- Questions about illegal stay or unauthorized activity
- Fines or a shorter next grant period
- A refusal that forces you to leave Korea and apply again from abroad
The risk is highest when the original school has already reported your withdrawal and immigration sees a gap with no matching approved new enrollment.
Tips from 행정사s
Start the transfer process before you formally withdraw from your current school.
Keep copies of both schools' letters so you can prove there was no study gap.
If the transfer also changes your degree level, confirm with immigration whether it is a report or a status-change style review.
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Key Immigration Terms
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Visa Process
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
Visa Process
HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Process
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer from one bachelor's program to another on the same D-2?
Usually yes, but it is not automatic. Immigration often wants to see the new admission letter and a credible reason for the transfer. Report it before the change takes effect.
Can I transfer from a master's program down to a bachelor's program?
That is much harder and often not permitted as a simple in-country change. In many cases, immigration treats it as a downgrade that requires departing Korea and applying again from abroad.
Do I need a new visa sticker if I transfer schools inside Korea?
Not usually. Most cases are handled as a report or status update inside Korea, but the visa record behind your ARC must still be updated correctly.