D-2 and D-4 visas in Korea — a complete 2026 guide for Vietnamese students
Telling D-2 (degree study) apart from D-4 (Korean-language training), the financial requirements, part-time work permits by TOPIK level, extensions, and the post-graduation path to D-10 / E-7.
Every year, tens of thousands of Vietnamese students choose Korea as their study-abroad destination. Korea stands out for its strong higher-education system, its advanced research environment, and its strategic position in the global technology supply chain — from semiconductors to consumer electronics. To study in Korea, a foreigner needs one of two main residence statuses: D-2 (정규유학, formal degree study) or D-4 (일반연수, language training / short-term). The two differ in purpose, requirements, and rights — understanding them clearly from the start will help you avoid costly mistakes. Choosing the wrong category, or assuming the two carry the same work and insurance rights, is one of the most common and expensive errors Vietnamese applicants make, so it is worth reading this guide before you commit to either route.
1. How D-2 and D-4 differ
The D-2 visa is issued to students who have been admitted to a formal degree program (junior college, university, master's, doctorate) at a school recognized by Korea's Ministry of Education. The D-4 visa is a non-degree training residence status, most commonly used to study Korean at university-affiliated language centers (어학당), and it is often used as a preparatory step before transferring to D-2.
- Purpose — D-2: junior college, university, master's, doctorate; D-4: Korean-language study, short training courses.
- Duration — D-2: 2–8 years (depending on the program); D-4: 6 months–2 years.
- Part-time work (시간제 취업) — D-2: allowed immediately (once you hold the permit); D-4: prohibited during the first 6 months.
- Entry TOPIK — D-2: depends on the school (usually Level 3+); D-4: not required.
- NHIS health insurance — D-2: from the date you register your ARC; D-4: from the 6th month after entry.
In short: if you already hold a university letter of admission, apply for D-2. If you need to study the language first, start on D-4 and then convert to D-2 later.
Need to prepare your D-2 or D-4 visa paperwork?
The Autofill service fills in the visa application form and related forms to the templates of the Korea Immigration Office (출입국·외국인청) — accurately, in just a few minutes.
Fill D-2 / D-4 forms →2. D-2 sub-types (D-2-1 to D-2-8)
The D-2 visa is divided into several sub-types according to the level and form of study:
- D-2-1: junior college (전문학사)
- D-2-2: university / bachelor's (학사)
- D-2-3: master's (석사)
- D-2-4: doctorate (박사)
- D-2-5: research at a university research institute
- D-2-6: exchange student
- D-2-7: government scholarship GKS (NIIED)
- D-2-8: short-term study program under 1 year
Each sub-type is tied to a different maximum period of stay — from 6 months (D-2-6) to 8 years (D-2-4 doctorate). When you apply, the Embassy records the sub-type code on the visa to match your level of study.
3. Requirements & basic documents
General requirements for D-2:
- A letter of admission (입학허가서 / Certificate of Admission) from a licensed school
- A graduation certificate for the previous level of study (notarized / consular-legalized)
- Proof of finances: at least 20 million KRW (~14,500 USD) — including the first-semester tuition already paid plus your account balance. This is the threshold confirmed on the official pages of Korea University (고려대학교) and Ewha University (이화여자대학교) in 2026
- The balance must be kept stable for at least 1–3 months before you submit the application
- A tuberculosis (TB) test certificate is mandatory for Vietnamese nationals
Requirements for D-4:
- A letter of admission from a university-affiliated language center (어학당)
- Finances: typically equivalent to ~$10,000 USD, depending on the embassy
- No higher degree required — a high-school graduation certificate is enough
⚠️ 2026 note: from February 2026, 20 universities in Korea had their authority to issue letters of admission revoked for failing to manage international students closely. Before applying, verify that the school you choose is still on the permitted list at the studyinkorea.go.kr portal.
4. Part-time work permit (시간제 취업허가)
Both D-2 and D-4 holders may work part-time but must obtain a separate permit from the Immigration Office (출입국·외국인청) — you may not work on your own initiative before approval.
Maximum hours during the semester week (2026):
- D-4 (language study), TOPIK 2+: 20 hours/week (semester); no limit during holidays
- D-4 (language study), below TOPIK 2: 10 hours/week (semester); 10 hours/week (holidays)
- D-2-1 (junior college), TOPIK 3+: 25 hours/week (semester); no limit during holidays
- D-2-2 (university, years 1–2), TOPIK 3+: 25 hours/week (semester); no limit during holidays
- D-2-2 (university, years 3–4), TOPIK 4+: 25 hours/week (semester); no limit during holidays
- D-2-3 (master's), TOPIK 4+: 30 hours/week (semester); no limit during holidays
- D-2-4 (doctorate), TOPIK 4+: 35 hours/week (semester); no limit during holidays
- Below the corresponding TOPIK threshold: 10–15 hours/week (semester); 10–15 hours/week (holidays)
Conditions to apply for a part-time work permit (D-2):
- GPA of ≥ 2.0 (C average) in the previous semester
- A valid TOPIK certificate (or IELTS 5.5+ for English-taught programs)
- An enrollment confirmation letter from the school
- An employment contract from the employer
Special note for D-4: part-time work is entirely prohibited during the first 6 months from the date of entry — including holidays. Only after the full 6 months may you apply for a permit.
Prohibited occupations: delivery (including the Coupang Eats and Baemin apps), construction, manufacturing (except special cases at TOPIK 4+), platform-driving, door-to-door sales, and adult-entertainment venues. Violations may result in fines of up to 30 million KRW, deportation, and a ban on re-entry.
5. Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증 / ARC)
Within 90 days of the date of entry, D-2 and D-4 students must visit the local Immigration Office to register and receive the ARC (Alien Registration Card / 외국인등록증). This is your identity document in Korea — needed to open a bank account, register a SIM, apply for a part-time work permit, and use public services.
National health insurance NHIS: D-2 holders are enrolled automatically from the date they register their ARC; D-4 holders are enrolled only after 6 months from entry — during the waiting period, it is advisable to buy private travel insurance.
6. Extension and reasons for refusal / cancellation
D-2 extension: each extension is for up to 2 years, and it can be extended multiple times until you complete your program. Mandatory conditions for extension:
- Maintain a GPA of ≥ 2.0 (C grade)
- An attendance rate of ≥ 70% (some schools may require higher)
- No immigration violations
D-4 extension: extendable up to a total of 2 years; the attendance rate during the language semester is an important review factor.
Common reasons for refusal / non-extension:
- Insufficient finances or an abnormally fluctuating balance
- A sub-standard GPA or dropping out without reason
- Unauthorized part-time work or exceeding the prescribed hours
- Previous violation of residence conditions
- The school being placed on the Ministry of Justice's warning list
7. Post-graduation path: D-10 → E-7 → settlement
This is one of the biggest attractions of the Korea study-abroad path.
D-10 (구직비자 / job seeking): after graduating from a D-2 program at junior-college level or above, a student may convert to the D-10 visa (points-based) to stay in Korea and look for work. Requirement: reach at least 60 points, of which at least 20 points must come from the basic criteria (age + qualifications). D-10 period of stay: from 6 months to 2 years (renewed every 6 months).
D-10 points example (a typical case of a 27-year-old Vietnamese student who graduated from a university in Korea within 3 years, with TOPIK 3): 15 points for age + 15 points for the university degree + 30 points for studying on D-2 within 3 years + 10 points for TOPIK 3 = 70 points → qualifies.
E-7 (특정활동 / specific activities): after finding a job that matches their field of specialization (80+ listed occupations), the student switches to E-7. Some large employers such as Hyundai and Samsung regularly recruit engineers under the E-7-1 and E-7-3 categories.
Settlement path: D-2 → D-10 → E-7 → F-2 (points-based long-term residence) → F-5 (permanent residence) is the standard route for international students who want to settle long-term in Korea.