Getting a D-2 student visa is just the beginning. Korea's immigration rules impose ongoing obligations on D-2 holders that most students are not fully aware of — including restrictions on changing schools, minimum academic standards, and limits on part-time work. Violating any of these can result in visa revocation. This guide covers everything you need to stay compliant.
D-2 covers all degree-seeking study at Korean universities and colleges:
• D-2-1: Junior college (2-year program)
• D-2-2: Bachelor's degree (4-year university)
• D-2-3: Master's degree
• D-2-4: Doctoral degree
• D-2-5: Research student (연구생) — research without full enrollment in a degree program
• D-2-6: Exchange student (교환학생) — enrolled at a foreign university but attending a Korean partner university
• D-2-7: Industrial university student (산업대학교)
The subtype affects your stay duration and which activities are permitted. Exchange students (D-2-6) are typically issued for one semester at a time.
Unlike many countries, Korea's D-2 visa does not freely allow school transfers. The rules are:
• Changing to a higher level program (e.g. bachelor's → master's): Allowed with a new admission letter. Apply for a status change or reissuance.
• Changing to the same level (e.g. one bachelor's program to another): Generally requires immigration approval. You must inform immigration and obtain permission — simply re-enrolling at a new school is not sufficient.
• Downgrading (e.g. master's → bachelor's): NOT permitted. This would require returning to your home country and applying for a new D-2 visa.
• Transferring within the same university: Usually administrative, but notify immigration if your student ID number changes.
If you change schools without immigration approval, you risk being in illegal status.
Korea's immigration rules link your visa to your academic performance:
• Attendance: You must maintain minimum attendance as required by your university (usually 80%+). Excessive absences are reported to immigration.
• Grade requirements: Receiving a 'D' average or below in consecutive semesters can trigger a flag in the immigration system. Repeated academic failure may result in your extension being refused.
• Leave of absence (휴학): Taking a leave of absence is allowed but must be reported to immigration. You can remain in Korea on D-2 during a leave of absence for a limited period (usually 1 year total). Extended leaves may require changing to a different visa status.
• Graduation delay: If you are extending your studies beyond the normal program length, you must apply for a D-2 extension with proof of continued enrollment and academic progress.
D-2 students CAN work part-time in Korea, but only with specific authorization:
• During the semester: Maximum 20 hours per week with prior work authorization (사전취업허가)
• During official university vacation: Unlimited hours (no hourly cap) with the same work authorization
• Work authorization: Apply at the immigration office with your student ID, enrollment certificate, and ARC. Authorization is typically valid for the duration of your study.
Prohibited work for D-2 students:
• Adult entertainment or venues
• Certain service roles that could be considered exploitative
• Work for employers not named in your authorization (if the authorization specifies a particular employer)
Working beyond the 20-hour limit during the semester or working without authorization is an immigration violation and can result in D-2 visa revocation.
After graduation, D-2 holders have several paths:
• D-2 → D-10 (Job Seeker): The most common post-graduation step. Apply for D-10 after receiving your graduation confirmation. D-10 gives you up to 6 months to find a job.
• D-2 → E-7 (Specialist): If you already have a job offer, apply directly for E-7 in-country without needing D-10 as an intermediate step.
• D-2 → E-1 (Professor): If your degree is a PhD and you receive a university position.
Korean university graduates receive bonus K-Points for F-2-7 (points-based residency) — a bachelor's from a Korean university adds approximately 10–15 bonus points to your K-Point score.
Get your work authorization before starting any part-time job — even a single hour of unauthorized work is a violation.
If you plan to take a leave of absence, notify immigration before taking it — immigration must be informed for extended leaves.
Keep your attendance records clean — your university reports attendance data to immigration.
Korean language ability (TOPIK score) gained during your D-2 study can directly improve your K-Point score for F-2-7 later.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 d-2 student visa rules in korea — school changes, grade requirements & work rights 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
전문가 찾기Can I work full-time during Korean university summer/winter vacation on D-2?
Yes — during official university vacation periods declared by your school, the 20-hour/week cap is lifted and D-2 holders can work unlimited hours (provided they have work authorization). Keep your authorization document and confirmation of the vacation period with you.
I want to transfer to a different Korean university. What do I need to do?
Get an admission letter from the new university first. Then visit the immigration office before you deregister from your current school and submit a status change or reissuance request. Do not simply enroll at the new school and hope immigration will update your records automatically — it will not.
What happens to my D-2 visa if I fail out of my program?
If you are dismissed from your program or drop below minimum academic standards and are required to leave the program, you are no longer eligible for D-2. You must either transfer to another qualified program (with immigration approval) or depart Korea. Remaining in Korea after your program ends without changing status is an overstay.
Can I do an internship on D-2?
Internships that are part of your academic curriculum (학점인정 인턴십) may be allowed within your work authorization. Non-curriculum internships follow the standard 20-hour/week part-time rule during the semester. Paid full-time internships during vacation are allowed with work authorization.