Visa

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.

Visa Types

  • Student Visa (D-2): for general students seeking degree at SNU or exchange/visiting students
  • 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 International Affairs at SNU.
Contact: i-office@snu.ac.kr, Tel. +82-2-880-4447 

For Chinese application ONLY

Documents must be submitted to Office of International 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. 
 

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

 

Visa Extension

The duration of the visa is determined by the Korean consular officer, and the expiration date on your visa may not match the ending date of your degree program or employment contract. If your visa expires before you complete your program, you will need to apply for a visa extension at the Korean Immigration Office.

D-2 Visa Extension

Reservations for the extension of stay can be made up to 4 months in advance of the expiration date of stay.

* One-day advance policy: You should make a reservation at least one day prior to the potential appointment date. Therefore, a reservation made on the appointment day is not effective.

Required Documents
  • Passport
  • Residence Card
  • Visa Extension Application Form
  • Certificate of Enrollment (available at https://my.snu.ac.kr/)
  • Proof of Bank Account and Necessary Funds (including tuition fee statement and proof of living expenses) - KRW 1,148,666 per month
  • Transcript (available at https://my.snu.ac.kr/)
  • Proof of Residency
  • Students’ Thesis Schedule with Faculty confirmation (https://oia.snu.ac.kr/node/2538, send the form to i-office@snu.ac.kr for the OIA manager's signature)
  • Service Charge (If you are a KGSP student, the Immigration Office will waiver your fee) 

Maximum Period of Stay for D-2 Visa Holders

The maximum period of stay for those with D-2 visa status is limited as follows:

  • Bachelor's Degree(학사): up to 6 years from date of admission(입학일)
  • Master's Degree(석사): BOTH up to 5 years from the date of admission(6 years for 3-year programs) AND up to 3 years from the date of marticulation (수료일) 
  • Doctoral Degree(박사): BOTH up to 7 years from the date of admission(8 years for non 2-year programs) AND up to 5 years from the date of marticulation
  • Exception: For individuals who have taken a leave of absence(휴학) for 2 consecutive semesters(1 year) or more, departed from Korea, and returned to SNU within 3 years from the date of leave of absence, the semesters taken on leave will not be counted toward the maximum limit. 

Please note that visa will be automatically canceled within 30 days according to the school registration change, such as dis-enrollment, dropout, leave of absence, expulsion, graduation or Korean nationality acquisition. 

Change of Visa to D-2 Visa

To change from another visa type to D-2 visa while staying in Korea, submit the following to the Korean Immigration Office:
    - Passport
    - Residence Card
    - 2 recent color photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
    - Application Form
    - Certificate of Admission and/or Certificate of Enrollment
    - Proof of bank account and necessary funds or a notarized letter from guarantor
    - Certificate of the latest scholastic achievement
    - Service charge

Notes:
Visa applicant must claim their visa within 3 months after:
   - the date of application or
   - the notification date of Ministry of Justice's approval (Applicable only if one is needed)
Otherwise, the applicant must apply for a new visa. Required documents can be added or changed depending on the individual circumstances.

E-1 Visa Extension

Required Documents
  • Application Form
  • Passport
  • A Standardized Photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
  • Proof of Residency
  • Employment Contract (Original, Copy)
    * If you are hiring a representative, you must submit the power of attorney, proof of employment of your representative and your representative IDs.

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.

How to register Residence Card

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

STEP 1
Click Reserve Visit and proceed as a non-member.
STEP 2
Identify yourself by using your passport number; activated at least a day after you entered Korea.
STEP 3
Enter “GWANAK” as the district information and select the jurisdictional immigration office as “Seoul Immigration Office”.
STEP 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.

STEP 1
Join HiKorea website with your alien registration information.
STEP 2
Click Petition Application to proceed.
STEP 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.
STEP 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.