Switching Visa Types·5 min read
What If I Transfer Universities on a D-2 Visa in Korea?
Changing universities in Korea is not just a school administration issue. Your 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.
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
April 22, 2026
Source references
HiKorea — Korean visa & residency manual
Issuance-manual sections covering D-2 student visa issuance, consular review, and TB-related entry screening.
Ministry of Justice Immigration Policy Bureau
Stay-manual sections covering D-2 extension, leave of absence, school transfer, reporting duties, and part-time work permission.
Filing caution
When a D-2 university transfer is possible
A 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
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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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.
