Student guides for life in Korea
This is general information. Rules and criteria can change and differ by situation, so confirm the latest details on HiKorea or with your school's international office before applying. It is not legal advice.
From visas to alien registration, health insurance, TOPIK and scholarships — the steps for studying in Korea, in order.
All guides
- D-2 student visa: from documents to registration after arrival
A clear guide to the D-2 student visa for degree study in Korea: who needs it, common documents, the application flow, and what to do after arriving. - D-4 language-study visa: from application to switching to D-2
A guide to the D-4 visa for Korean language study: who it is for, common documents, what to do after arriving, how to switch to a D-2, and how it differs from the D-2. - Alien registration: do it within 90 days of arrival
How international students register as foreigners in Korea: the 90-day deadline, documents, booking an appointment, receiving the ARC and reporting an address change. - Student health insurance: who joins and how to use it
How health insurance works for students in Korea: who must join NHIS, when to enroll, paying premiums, using hospitals, and how it differs from private insurance. - TOPIK explained: levels, the test and admission use
A guide to the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK): TOPIK I and II, what levels 1–6 mean, how to register, score validity, and how universities and scholarships use it. - Part-time jobs for students: get permission first
Part-time work for D-2 and D-4 students in Korea: why you need permission first, the application steps, documents, what is not allowed and what to watch for. - Extending your stay: prepare before it expires
Extending your stay as a D-2 or D-4 student: when to apply, documents, the steps, and what to do if you are late. - Scholarships for studying in Korea: types and how to apply
Scholarships for international students in Korea: the government GKS program, university admission and merit scholarships, when to apply and how to prepare.