Korea's D-2 Student Visa Sub-Categories (D-2-1 to D-2-8) Explained

What the D-2 is — and why the sub-code matters

The D-2 is Korea's visa for students enrolled in a formal, degree-conferring or credit program at an accredited Korean higher-education institution. When your visa is issued, it carries a sub-code — from D-2-1 to D-2-8 — that identifies exactly what kind of study you are doing.

The sub-code matters because it is tied to your enrolment type. It affects which documents you present, how your stay is recorded, and how immigration treats changes such as moving from one program to another. You do not choose the sub-code freely; it follows the program you have been admitted to, based on your Certificate of Admission.

This section explains the general mapping. It is general information, not immigration advice — always confirm the current rules for your situation on HiKorea and the Korea Immigration Service.

Degree-level sub-codes: D-2-1 to D-2-4

Four sub-codes cover the standard degree ladder. These are the codes most international degree-seeking students will hold.

• D-2-1 — Associate degree at a junior/technical college.
• D-2-2 — Bachelor's degree at a university.
• D-2-3 — Master's degree program.
• D-2-4 — Doctoral (PhD) program.

Research and exchange sub-codes: D-2-5 to D-2-8

The remaining sub-codes cover research and non-degree or short-term study. If you are a visiting, exchange or research student rather than a full degree candidate, your visa is likely to fall here.

• D-2-5 — Research study (a research-focused enrolment).
• D-2-6 — Exchange student under an inter-university agreement.
• D-2-7 — Professional/specialized studies (as officially defined; sometimes work-study-linked programs) — confirm the precise scope on the official source.
• D-2-8 — Short-term visiting/exchange study, typically for less than one year.

D-2 versus the D-4 language visa

A common point of confusion is the difference between the D-2 and the D-4. The D-2 is for enrolment in a degree or credit program at a university or college. The D-4 (in its student form, often D-4-1) is for language training — for example, a Korean-language course at a university language institute that is not itself a degree program.

Many students first come on a D-4 for a language year and later change to a D-2 when they begin a degree, while GKS scholars and direct-entry degree students often start on a D-2. The change-of-status rules and required documents are set by immigration and can change, so confirm the current process rather than assuming.

What is common across the sub-codes

Regardless of sub-code, D-2 holders share the same core obligations, though the details are set by immigration and can change. After arrival you register for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) within the period immigration specifies. Enrolment in Korea's National Health Insurance follows for qualifying students.

Part-time work as a student is possible only with prior permission from immigration and subject to conditions (such as hours and, in some cases, a Korean-language level). The specific limits, fees and timelines for all of this are published by the Korea Immigration Service — treat the exact figures as verify-on-official-source.

How to confirm your sub-category and apply

Your admitting university (and, for a visa applied for abroad, the Korean diplomatic mission) determines the sub-code from your program and Certificate of Admission. If you are unsure which code applies, ask your university's international office and check HiKorea.

Because immigration rules change and individual cases differ, use the official channels for anything that affects your status: HiKorea for e-government services and current requirements, and the Korea Immigration Service for the underlying rules. This guide is general information, not immigration advice.