Visa Overview

Applying for a Visa

Before studying or teaching in Korea, you must apply for the appropriate visa at an overseas Korean embassy or consulate. Please check with the nearest overseas embassy or consulate for instructions on visa application as it may vary by location. Once approved, please check your visa’s expiration date. You may need to apply for an extension prior to departure.

  • 1Apply & Acquire
  • 2Enter Korea
  • 3Apply & Complete Foreigner Registration
  • 4Visa Extension
  • 5Leave Korea
Visa Types

Student Visa (D-2) for general students seeking degree at SNU or exchange/visiting students(D-2-2 Bachelor’s Degree, D-2-3 Master’s Degree, D-2-4 Doctor’s Degree)

Researching Student Visa(D-2-5) students intending to engage in research activities(not taking classes)

Training Visa (D-4) for students who will attend Korean language programs only
Research Visa (E-3) for researchers conducting research activities in a lab or research institute
Professorship Visa (E-1) for professors seeking to give lectures in an educational facility
Overseas Korean Visa (F-4) Overseas Koreans
Student Visa (D-2)
Required Documents
  • Passport
  • Visa Issuance Application Form
  • *Certificate of Admission (Issuance from the President or Dean of a university)
  • A color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
  • A copy of certificate of business administration
  • Certificate of the latest scholastic achievement
  • Documented proof of your financial ability (amount of money equivalent to the tuition fee and living expenses for a year: KRW 20,000,000*)
* Note: The Korean Embassy or Consulate abroad may ask you to submit additional documents. The financial proof is no less than KRW 20,000,000 but may increase depending on tuition fee.
*Certificate of Admission

The certificate of admission is an official document which is approved by the Ministry of Justice and issued by Seoul National University. It is only required for international students during visa application and the document which approves admission to regular degree programs of individual foreign students at SNU. If any modification/reissuance is required on the document, students should directly contact the staff in charge at the Office of Global Affairs at SNU.

  • Tel+82-2-880-4447
  • Email i-office@snu.ac.kr
For Chinese application ONLY

Documents must be submitted to Office of Global Affairs in SNU for receiving ‘Certificate No. of Visa Issuance’ required for their visa application.

  • A color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
  • A copy of valid passport
  • A copy of ID card (including whole family’s ID copies)
  • A copy of census report listing all members of family with notarial certificate in Korean/English
  • Original bank statement (minimum of 13,000 USD valid for two semesters ahead)
  • For Bachelor, Gaokao transcript and certificate of graduation OR Huikao certificate/Huikao transcript and certificate of graduation, original credential report of graduation/transcript from China Academic Degree and Graduate Education Development official confirmation of graduation/transcript certificate from the Korean embassy or consular office in China.
  • For Master & Doctor, original credentials report of graduation/degree (final education completed) from China Academic Degree & Graduate Education Development Center (http://www.cdgdc.edu.cn) OR original certificate of graduation/degree certificate from the Korean embassy or consular office in China scholarship certificate can replace an original bank statement. 
Researching Student Visa (D-2-5)
Eligibility
  • a person holding a master’s degree or higher who intends to engage in research activities(such as experimenting and writing thesis) in a specialized field, who;
    • receives a stipend equivalent to living expenses while conducting 
      • research activities equivalent to those of research assistants(연구조교) or research associates(연구보조원) after receiving a master’s degree; or
      • research activities after receiving a doctorate degree
    • cases where an individual is invited by an academic professor to participate in his/her/their individual research contract(개인연구용역) is excluded
  • (exception) in the case of STEM fields, undergraduate students currently enrolled in their home country* are also permitted
    • *home country: for example, a student with Chinese nationality enrolled in an university in China would be allowed while a student with Chinese nationality from an university from the United States may not be allowed
Required Documents
(D-2-5 does not require Certificate of Admission)
  • Visa application form
  • Passport copy (and color copy of passport)
  • 1 color photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm, white background, photo must be taken within 6 months)
  • International Research Student Confirmation Form(외국인연구생확인서) – available for download at (For D-2-5 only) International Research Student Confirmation Form 외국인연구생확인서 | OGA
    • must have SNU president(총장)’s  stamp
  • SNU Business Registration Certificate 
  • Proof of degree(must be apostilled or confirmed by the Korean consular of institution’s country)
  • Proof of Finance(bank statement or proof of research stipend)
    • bank statement must be issued within 30 days
  • Medical check-up record for Tuberculosis (only for countries stated below)
    • Nepal, East Timor, Laos, Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Kyrgyz Republic, Thailand, Pakistan, Philippines, Nigeria, South Africa, Belarus, Mozambique, Republic of Moldova, Azerbaijan, Angola, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Congo D R, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Tajikistan, Peru
  • Proof of SNU’s THE or QS ranking (only for currently enrolled STEM undergraduate students enrolled in home country university)
Professorship Visa (E-1)
Required Documents
  • Visa Application Form
  • Confirmation letter from SNU
  • Passport
  • Photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
  • Certificate of experiences and degree
  • Employment contract, confirmation of the professor appointment
  • Business Registration Certificate of SNU
Research Visa (E-3)
Required Documents
  • Visa Application Form
  • Passport
  • 1 Color Photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
  • Certificate of Degree
  • Proof of professional experience
  • Employment contract, confirmation of the professor’s appointment
  • Business Registration Certificate of SNU
HiKorea Website

HiKorea is the main site of the electronic government for foreigners, jointly created by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Ministry of Labor. It was created with the purpose of providing investment, employment, residence and everyday living related information and services from a single source to foreigners visiting Korea.

HiKorea website
How to register Residence Card

For alien registration that requires an in-person application, visit reservation must be made through HiKorea website.

  1. Click Reserve Visit and proceed as a non-member.
  2. Identify yourself by using your passport number; activated at least a day after you entered Korea.
  3. Enter “GWANAK” as the district information and select the jurisdictional immigration office as “Seoul Immigration Office”.
  4. Fill out the reservation form and click “Apply”. Make sure to print out or take a screenshot of the confirmation page.
How to register other immigration affairs
Except for alien registration, almost all application for immigration affairs (alteration of residence, change of information on alien registration, re-entry permit, part-time work permit, extension of sojourn period, etc.) can be made online through HiKorea website.
  1. Join HiKorea website with your alien registration information.
  2. Click Petition Application to proceed.
  3. Select the type of application and proceed. The list of required documents must be uploaded as a PDF or an image file. Some applications may charge you an application fee.
  4. After finishing the application, frequently check the e-Petition Application Status in the home to confirm whether the application is completed. The office may reject it or require additional documents to be submitted.