D-2-6 (Exchange Student) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What D-2-6 Is

D-2-6 is a D-2 subtype for exchange students enrolled under recognized inter-university exchange arrangements. It is distinct from full-degree D-2 tracks and from D-4 language/training categories.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Has valid acceptance under an eligible exchange agreement between institutions.
• Home and host school documents clearly prove exchange status and period.
• Can prove financial capacity for tuition/living costs during exchange stay.
• Provides required academic identity/background documents under current guidance.
• Maintains lawful status and reporting compliance during stay and extensions.

3. Criteria Summary

• D-2-6 is not a points-based category.
• Review centers on exchange-program authenticity, institutional legitimacy, and financial sufficiency.
• Manual revisions may update student-document verification requirements for specific cohorts.
• Where risk controls apply, officers may require supplemental evidence beyond baseline documents.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• D-2-6 is a study status; no E-series salary threshold applies.
• Part-time work, where permitted, is separately regulated and requires proper authorization.
• Core evidentiary focus is study purpose and funding, not Korean employment income.
• Using D-2-6 primarily for non-study objectives can lead to refusal or later compliance issues.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• D-2-6 is not employer-sponsored for core eligibility.
• Any approved outside activity must stay within permission scope and reporting rules.
• Changes in exchange enrollment, leave, or institution should be reported per immigration requirements.
• Unreported student-status changes can affect extension and future status-change filings.

6. Required Documents

• Visa/stay application form + passport + photo + applicable fee proof.
• Official exchange acceptance and host-school enrollment documentation.
• Home-university records and exchange-agreement supporting documents as required.
• Financial proof for tuition/living support for the exchange period.
• Any additional nationality/program-specific documents requested by reviewing office.

7. Fees and Processing

• Issuance/extension fees follow official visa and stay schedules in manuals.
• Processing times vary by mission/office load and document completeness.
• Exchange-document inconsistency commonly triggers supplement requests.
• Apply with timeline buffer before semester/program start and stay-expiry dates.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Exchange status documents are incomplete, unclear, or inconsistent between institutions.
• Financial evidence is insufficient or not credible for planned exchange period.
• Study-purpose credibility does not align with applicant profile or records.
• Prior immigration non-compliance or unreported status changes.
• Application built on outdated student-document assumptions after policy updates.

9. FAQ