South Korea Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students – Step-by-Step Application Guide
Dreaming of pursuing your higher education in South Korea? The good news: you’re not alone. With rapidly growing international enrolment, more Indian students are looking to secure a South Korea student visa for a chance to study at top Korean universities. But here’s the challenge: navigating the visa process can feel complex, with requirements, deadlines, and fees to manage. In this guide, we break down the South Korea student visa for Indian students step by step — so you can move confidently from admission to visa and then the campus of your dreams.
South Korea recently surpassed 300,000 international students ahead of schedule. The Economic Times
An increasing number of Indian students are choosing Korea due to high-quality education, scholarships, and better cost vs many western countries.
Understanding the Visa Landscape
Types of Student Visas
There are two primary visas for study in South Korea:
D-2 visa – for full-time degree programs (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD).
D-4 visa – for language courses, non-degree training, shorter programs (often less than 90 days).
Why choose this visa path?
It allows you to stay in Korea for the duration of your academic programme.
Once enrolled, you may also be eligible for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) and part-time work (depending on university/immigration rules).
As a marketer or recruiter, knowledge of the “student migration” trend is useful for crafting programs, webinars, student-recruitment pipelines, or overseas-education promotions.
Key trend snapshot
The Korean government’s portal, National Institute for International Education (NIIED) and the “Study in Korea” portal show strong emphasis on international student recruitment. Study in Korea
More Indian students are being admitted to Korean universities, meaning competitive but accessible opportunities.
From a business/marketing point of view: you can position services (visa-consultancy, overseas education webinars, application support) to tap into this surge.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1 – Secure your admission
Requirement: Obtain a Certificate of Admission from a recognized Korean university. This is non-negotiable for the D-2 visa.
Tip: Choose your university early, check intake deadlines (spring/fall), ensure the letter mentions your full name, course, and dates.
Step 2 – Gather required documents
Here’s a checklist:
A completed visa application form (downloadable via HiKorea or embassy/consulate website).
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity.
Passport-sized recent photograph (size 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, white background) for D-2 applications.
Certificate of Admission (see Step 1).
Academic transcripts / certificates (last attended school/university) & proof of language proficiency if required.
Proof of accommodation (dormitory payment receipt or rental contract).
Tuberculosis test certificate (applicable for Indian students) for D-2 visa.
Proof of financial ability/statement (bank statements, scholarship letter).
Step 3 – Submit your application and pay fees
Visit the nearest Korean Embassy/Consulate or authorised visa application centre in India.
Submit the above documents plus application fee. According to recent data: the South Korea student visa fees for Indian applicants range from INR 5,000 to INR 7,500 (~US $60–90) for standard D-2 visa.
(Note: fee may vary and should be confirmed with the embassy.)
Some sources show different fee bands: e.g., single entry up to 90 days ₹3,400; more than 90 days ₹5,100.
Step 4 – Processing time & arrival
The South Korea visa processing time can vary. One guide notes 2 to 10 weeks.
After approval, you travel to South Korea and once there, you may apply for an ARC (Alien Registration Card) if staying longer than 90 days.
Step 5 – After you arrive – what to do
Register at your university, pay tuition, and confirm enrolment.
Apply for ARC within 30 days.
For part-time work: with a D-2 visa, after 6 months you may apply for permission to work up to certain hours.
Requirements & Eligibility – What Indian Students Must Know
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the South Korea student visa for Indian students, you need:
Admission to full-time degree-seeking course (> 90 days) in South Korea.
Meet academic and health requirements (sound physical health).
Adequate financial proof to cover tuition + living expenses.
The correct visa category (D-2 or D-4) depends on your programme length and type.
Document specifics & checklist
Document checklist:
Valid passport & copies.
Completed application form.
Recent photo as per specs.
Certificate of Admission & enrolment documents.
Transcripts, diplomas of previous education.
Financial documents: bank statements or scholarship details.
Accommodation proof.
TB test certificate (required for Indian students under certain rules).
If applying for English-taught programme: proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS) may be required.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
Do apply early (admission + visa) — university intake and visa slots fill up.
Do double-check document specs (photo size, passport validity, translations).
Do maintain good bank balance and proof of funds.
Do keep copies of all documents and invoices.
Do check the correct visa category for your programme (D-2 vs D-4).
Don’ts:
Don’t wait until the last minute — processing may take several weeks.
Don’t submit incomplete forms or mismatched names between passport and admission letter.
Don’t ignore the TB certificate if required.
Don’t assume visa fees will remain the same — confirm the latest figures from the embassy.
Don’t rely solely on informal sources; use official portals like “Study in Korea”.
Fees, Processing Time & Additional Insights
Fee overview
According to recent data, application fees for Indian students for the South Korea student visa range approximately INR 5,000 – 7,500 (~US$60 – 90).
A separate data-point: for visas up to 90 days ₹3,400; more than 90 days ₹5,100; multiple entries up to ₹7,650.
Tip: Always check the latest fee on the Indian consulate or Korean visa center website before submitting.
Processing time
Processing can vary 2-10 weeks depending on intake, university, holidays and completeness of application.
Applying earlier gives buffers for unforeseen delays (document verification, translation, additional requests).
Real-world example / case study
Imagine “Rahul”, an Indian student admitted to a master's in business at a Korean university. He got his certificate of admission in December, then submitted visa documents by January, paid fee ~₹5,500, and got the D-2 visa approved in 5 weeks. He arrived in Korea in March for the spring intake, registered for ARC within 3 weeks, and began his studies in April.
This shows the timeline: admission letter → visa submission → approval → arrival & ARC.
FAQs & Final Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I work part-time on a South Korea student visa?
A: Yes, under a D-2 visa you may apply for part-time work permission (conditions apply) after you’ve enrolled and completed some months.
Q: Is the TB test certificate mandatory for Indian students?
A: Yes, for D-2 visa, Indian applicants are included in the list requiring a TB test certificate.
Q: What if my documents aren’t in English or Korean?
A: You will need to get them translated into English or Korean and possibly notarized.
Q: What happens if I choose a programme less than 90 days?
A: In that case, you may apply for a D-4 visa (or another appropriate category) rather than a D-2.
Are you ready to take the next step in your global education journey? At Overseas Education Lane (OEL), we specialize in assisting Indian students with admission, visa application (including South Korea student visa support), and end-to-end guidance for studying in Korea. Contact us today to explore suitable Korean universities, scholarship options, and visa support — let’s turn your dream into reality.
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