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.
검토 기준
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.
최종 검토일
2026년 4월 22일
출처 기준
Issuance-manual sections covering D-2 student visa issuance, consular review, and TB-related entry screening.
Stay-manual sections covering D-2 extension, leave of absence, school transfer, reporting duties, and part-time work permission.
신청 전 주의사항
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
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:
The new school must issue a formal admission letter, and you must remain in legal stay status throughout the transfer process.
Immigration scrutiny increases when the change looks like a downgrade or an attempt to stay in Korea without real study. Common risk cases include:
If immigration concludes the transfer is not academically genuine, they can refuse the change and require you to depart Korea.
In practice, you should prepare:
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.
도움이 필요하신가요?
저희 전문가들은 what if i transfer universities on a d-2 visa in korea? 사례를 정기적으로 처리하며 한국 출입국관리소가 요구하는 사항을 정확히 알고 있습니다.
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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.
Do not assume that enrolling at the new school automatically updates immigration. You must report the school change to immigration and, where required, obtain approval before the transfer takes effect.
Unreported school changes are treated as a status violation. The practical consequences can include:
The risk is highest when the original school has already reported your withdrawal and immigration sees a gap with no matching approved new enrollment.
자격 확인 및 리뷰
Mr. Visa Korea에 등록된 모든 전문가는 한국에 등록된 공인 출입국행정사입니다.
전문가 보기작성자 James Chae — 엑스퍼트 사피엔스 공동창업자
플랫폼 전문 분야: 출입국 컨설팅 및 비자 서비스 · 검토됨 4월 2026