D-4-3 (School Study Below University Level) Korea Visa Guide | 2026

1. What D-4-3 Is

D-4-3 is the general training code for international students at educational institutions at HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL OR BELOW — not vocational training, despite sitting under the general training (D-4) status. It applies to self-funded students from countries outside a designated list of 21; nationals of those 21 countries — China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt and Peru — must go through the certificate-of-visa-eligibility route instead when self-funded. Apply at the mission with jurisdiction over your country of residence or your last school. This is also the status whose students an accompanying relative joins on F-1-13.

2. Eligibility Checklist

• Enrollment/placement fits current D-4-3 eligible scope.
• Program and institution documents satisfy current review standards.
• Can prove sufficient financial support for training and stay.
• Identity/background records are complete and consistent.
• No unresolved immigration non-compliance materially affecting eligibility.

3. Criteria Summary

• D-4-3 is not a points-based status.
• Review emphasizes training-purpose authenticity and institutional credibility.
• Manual revisions can adjust evidence detail for D-4 training subtypes.
• Always confirm latest subtype guidance before filing.

4. Salary and Contract Rules

• D-4-3 is a training status and does not follow E-series salary-threshold logic.
• Any outside activity permissions are separate and must be authorized where applicable.
• Financial support evidence is a core adjudication component.
• If filing appears primarily non-training/work-focused, refusal risk rises.

5. Employer and Workplace Change Rules

• D-4-3 is not employer-sponsored as core eligibility basis.
• Program/institution changes should be reported through proper channels.
• Authorized outside activity must remain within approved scope.
• Unreported status-condition changes can affect extension and future status changes.

6. Required Documents

• Application set (form, passport, photo, fee proof).
• D-4-3 admission/enrollment documents from eligible institution.
• Academic/identity records required under current guidance.
• Financial support documents for intended stay period.
• Any additional office-specific supporting records requested during review.

7. Fees and Processing

• D-4 issuance/extension fees follow official schedules in manuals.
• Processing time varies by office load and file completeness.
• Training-purpose/funding inconsistencies often trigger supplements.
• Apply early before program start and stay-expiry deadlines.

8. Common Rejection Reasons

• Program/institution eligibility is insufficiently proven.
• Financial support evidence is weak, inconsistent, or unverifiable.
• Declared purpose does not match D-4-3 training scope.
• Prior immigration non-compliance or unreported condition changes.
• Submission relies on outdated subtype assumptions after revisions.

9. FAQ