D-2-8 (Visiting Student) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What D-2-8 Is

D-2-8 sits alongside D-2-6 exchange student as one of the two non-degree study codes for students who stay enrolled at their home institution. The practical difference between the two is documentary: at associate and bachelor's level a visiting student must produce a HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION certificate in addition to the overseas enrolment certificate, where an exchange student on D-2-6 submits the enrolment certificate alone. At master's and doctoral level the two require the same overseas enrolment evidence.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Enrolled at an overseas institution and coming to study at a Korean institution as a visiting student rather than for a degree.
• Associate or bachelor's level: can produce BOTH a high school graduation certificate AND an overseas enrolment certificate at the matching level.
• Master's or doctoral level: can produce the overseas enrolment certificate at that level.
• The Korean host is a junior college or above — or an affiliated research institution — meeting the Ministry of Justice's requirements and registered in the foreign-student information system.
• Holds a standard admission letter (표준입학허가서) issued by the host university's president or dean.
• Can evidence funding; where a parent's bank balance is used, family relationship documents are required too.

3. Criteria Summary

• D-2-8 is not a points-based status.
• Review emphasizes student-purpose authenticity, institution/program legitimacy, and support capacity.
• Document requirements for student pathways can change via periodic revisions.
• Always verify latest D-2 subtype guidance before filing.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• D-2-8 is a study status and does not follow E-series salary-threshold logic.
• Any part-time activity is separately regulated and requires proper authorization where applicable.
• Core screening relies on legitimate study purpose and sufficient funding evidence.
• If filing appears primarily work-driven, refusal/compliance risk increases.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• D-2-8 is not employer-sponsored as core eligibility basis.
• Program transfer, leave, or enrollment condition changes should be reported properly.
• Authorized outside activity must remain within permitted scope.
• Unreported student-status changes can impact extension and future status-change filings.

6. Required Documents

• Application set (form, passport, photo, fee proof).
• D-2-8 admission/enrollment documents from eligible institution.
• Academic/identity records required under current guidance.
• Financial support evidence for intended stay period.
• Any additional office-specific documents requested during review.

7. Fees and Processing

• D-2 issuance/extension fees follow official schedules in manuals.
• Processing times vary by mission/office workload and file quality.
• Academic/funding inconsistencies commonly trigger supplement requests.
• Apply early before term start and stay-expiry deadlines.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Admission/program records do not sufficiently prove D-2-8 eligibility.
• Financial support documents are insufficient or inconsistent.
• Declared purpose does not credibly match D-2-8 study scope.
• Past immigration non-compliance or unreported status-condition changes.
• Application relies on outdated subtype assumptions after policy revisions.

9. FAQ