Today, we will explore the application procedures, methoToday, we will explore the application procedures, methods, required documents, and important considerations for D4 and D2 visas (language studies and academic studies) through a current case.
The client was the boyfriend of the applicant (from Vietnam) and had inquired about obtaining a D4 visa for his girlfriend's language studies in Korea. The applicant (Vietnamese girlfriend) had graduated from a 4-year university in Vietnam with an average GPA of 69 points. Although her TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) 4 score had expired, she still possessed a TOPIK 4 certificate. She planned to come to Korea for language studies in the summer semester of 2023.
However, there was a problem as she was born in 1990 and almost 10 years had passed since her university graduation. I advised the client that obtaining a D4 visa would be challenging due to the age factor and asked if they were considering a master's program. The client mentioned that the applicant was indeed thinking about a master's program.
Since I had previously obtained a TOPIK 4 certificate, I suggested that if the applicant studied a bit more, she could likely achieve TOPIK 3. I recommended taking the TOPIK test again and applying for a D2 visa (master's program) directly instead of pursuing a D4 visa. Eventually, they decided to proceed with the D2 visa instead of D4.
※ If you are considering a master's program after graduating from a 4-year university, typically, you should have a TOPIK 3 level for Korean language classes and a TOEFL IBT score of 55 or higher for English classes to apply for admission.
※ However, if you lack TOPIK or English proficiency scores and have to proceed with a D4 visa, a crucial aspect is your study plan, especially if you have graduated from university in your home country and are of a certain age. If you simply state that you plan to study language, obtaining a visa might be challenging. Therefore, you should create a specific and convincing study plan, which may include a period of language studies followed by a master's program.
Important Notes for D4 and D2 Visa Applications
1.Age: D4 visa applications become more challenging as the applicant gets older.
This is because you need to obtain an admission permit from a school offering language courses to be eligible for D4 visa issuance or processing. Schools are less likely to admit students in their late 20s or beyond. Additionally, each school has its regulations, but generally, you can apply for a D4 visa within 2 to 3 years of university graduation.
Furthermore, even if you manage to secure an admission permit from a school, if you have already graduated from university and are in your thirties when applying for a Korean language course, obtaining a D4 visa may not be easier, as the sincerity of your academic pursuit becomes a critical factor.
2. Three Key Factors Considered When Schools Evaluate Admission Applications
(1) Academic Records: The most critical factor. A GPA of 65 or higher is usually considered favorable. If you meet this GPA requirement and have no issues with age or finances, obtaining an admission permit should not be overly challenging.
(2) Age: As mentioned earlier, age can work against you. If you are older and have graduated from a university in your home country, pursuing a D2 visa (for academic studies) might be more advantageous for visa issuance.
(3) Financial Capability: Having more financial proof is beneficial for the applicant.
※ For D4 (Language Studies), a minimum of USD 10,000 is required, while for D2 (Study Abroad), a minimum of USD 20,000 is necessary.
Depending on the case, the evaluation may consider not only the applicant's financial capability but also the financial proof of the applicant's parents who are supporting the education.
※ Country of Origin: In practice, students who plan to study in advanced countries usually have a smoother process for admission permit issuance and visa issuance. However, more than 90% of students planning to study Korean language are from countries with a high rate of illegal stays, including Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines), China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and others.
To prevent illegal stays, many schools make dormitory living mandatory for the first 6 months, especially for students from high-risk countries. Moreover, the requirements and documents for admission applications may differ by country.
The reason for these variations is that the Korean immigration authorities classify schools into three categories based on their annual illegal stay rate: Top 1%, Certified, and Uncertified (Consulting Universities). Visa issuance might be restricted at schools with a high illegal stay rate.
※ If you are admitted to a university classified as Top 1% (e.g., Ewha Womans University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Chung-Ang University, Sogang University, etc.), you may be exempt from proving your financial ability during the evaluation process.
※ For some countries like India, invitation (acknowledgment for visa issuance) is not applicable. Only visa issuance (application at the local Korean Embassy) is possible.
D4 and D2 Visa Application Procedures
1. Decide whether to apply for a D4 or D2 visa based on the applicant's condition
2. After being assigned to a school, submit the required documents as requested by the school
3. Once admission is granted, pay the tuition fees and receive the Certificate of Admission
4. Prepare the necessary documents for visa issuance, including the Certificate of Admission and apply for visa issuance at the local immigration office or the Korean embassy/consulate in your home country
For details regarding the submission documents for a D4 visa, please refer to the link below ↓
Our team collaborates with the administrative staff at various schools.
If you are interested in applying for a D4 or D2 visa, please feel free to contact us.
We will introduce you to schools that match your specific conditions and provide one-stop support from school admission to visa issuance.
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