Studying in South Korea has become an increasingly popular choice for Vietnamese students thanks to its high-quality education system, modern learning environment, and excellent career opportunities after graduation. However, when exploring study options in Korea, many students and parents are often unsure whether to apply for a D2 Visa or a D4 Visa.

Although both visas are designed for international students, they serve different purposes and come with different eligibility requirements and benefits. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right study pathway from the very beginning.

What is a D2 Visa?

A D2 Visa is a student visa issued for degree programmes at colleges, universities, and graduate schools in South Korea.

Holders of a D2 Visa can enrol in degree programmes such as:

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree

• Doctoral Degree (PhD)

• Research or Student Exchange Programmes

The D2 Visa is suitable for students who have already met the admission requirements for their chosen academic programme and have received an official Letter of Admission from a Korean educational institution.

What is a D4 Visa?

A D4 Visa is intended for non-degree educational programmes, with the most common category being the D4-1 Visa, which is issued to students studying the Korean language at language institutes affiliated with Korean universities.

This visa is the preferred option for international students who do not yet have sufficient Korean language proficiency to begin a degree programme.

After successfully completing the language course and meeting the university's admission requirements, students may apply to change their status to a D2 Visa and continue their studies in a degree programme.

Comparison Between the D2 Visa and the D4 Visa

Criteria	D2 Visa	D4 Visa
Eligible Applicants	Students enrolled in associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral programmes	Students enrolled in Korean language courses or other non-degree programmes
Eligibility Requirements	Accepted into a degree programme	Accepted into a language institute or non-degree programme
Purpose	Earn an academic degree	Study Korean and prepare for degree studies
Study Duration	According to the programme length	Typically 6 months to 2 years
Qualification Awarded	Degree awarded upon graduation	No academic degree awarded
Next Step	May transition to a work visa if eligible	May change to a D2 Visa for degree studies

Who Should Apply for a D2 Visa?

A D2 Visa is suitable for students who:

• Have already met the admission requirements for a degree programme.

• Meet the university's Korean or English language requirements.

• Wish to obtain an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree.

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Who Should Apply for a D4 Visa?

A D4 Visa is suitable for students who:

• Have recently graduated from high school.

• Do not yet have a TOPIK certificate or have limited Korean language skills.

• Wish to study Korean before entering a degree programme.

Visa Application Requirements

D2 Visa

Applicants generally need:

• Letter of Admission.

• Academic transcripts and certificates.

• Proof of financial capacity.

• Evidence of meeting the university's language requirements.

D4 Visa

Applicants generally need:

• Letter of Acceptance from a Korean language institute.

• Academic records.

• Proof of financial support.

• A TOPIK certificate is not required for many Korean language programmes.

Purpose of Each Visa

D2 Visa

• Study a degree programme.

• Obtain an officially recognised qualification.

• Pursue higher academic studies.

• Become eligible to apply for certain work visas after graduation if requirements are met.

D4 Visa

• Learn the Korean language.

• Adapt to academic life in South Korea.

• Build the language foundation needed for degree studies.

Benefits

D2 Visa

• Access to degree programmes.

• Greater opportunities for research and internships.

• Eligibility to work part-time in accordance with Korean regulations after meeting the required conditions.

• Potential to transition to employment visas after graduation if eligible.

D4 Visa

• Study Korean at university-affiliated language institutes.

• Improve Korean language proficiency before entering a degree programme.

• Opportunity to change to a D2 Visa once all admission requirements have been met.

Responsibilities of International Students

Whether holding a D2 or D4 Visa, all international students are required to:

• Comply with South Korean laws.

• Attend classes regularly and study diligently.

• Maintain the attendance rate required by their institution.

• Renew their visa before its expiry date.

• Fulfil all residency registration and health insurance obligations.

When Should You Choose a D2 Visa?

A D2 Visa is the right choice if you:

• Have already been admitted to a college or university degree programme.

• Meet the required language proficiency standards.

• Intend to earn an academic qualification in South Korea.

When Should You Choose a D4 Visa?

A D4 Visa is the right choice if you:

• Do not yet have sufficient Korean language proficiency.

• Want to study Korean before starting your major.

• Need time to adapt to studying and living in South Korea.

Can a D4 Visa Automatically Be Converted into a D2 Visa Upon Expiry?

The answer is no.

A D4 Visa does not automatically become a D2 Visa when it expires.

To obtain a D2 Visa, students must satisfy all university admission requirements and complete the Change of Status of Stay procedure with the Korean Immigration Office before the D4 Visa expires.

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Requirements for Changing from a D4 Visa to a D2 Visa

In most cases, students must:

• Successfully complete their Korean language course.

• Receive a Letter of Admission from a Korean college or university.

• Meet the Korean or English language requirements for their chosen programme (if applicable).

• Pay the required tuition fees.

• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources.

• Submit the visa status change application before the D4 Visa expires.

Documents Required for Changing from a D4 Visa to a D2 Visa

Applicants generally need:

• Passport.

• Alien Registration Card (ARC).

• Application form for Change of Status of Stay.

• Letter of Admission.

• Tuition payment confirmation.

• Bank balance certificate (if required).

• Academic transcript and attendance certificate from the Korean language programme.

• Passport-sized photographs.

• Processing fee.

Please note that individual universities or immigration offices may require additional documents depending on the circumstances.

Procedure for Changing from a D4 Visa to a D2 Visa

Step 1: Complete your Korean language programme.

Step 2: Apply for a degree programme.

Step 3: Receive your Letter of Admission.

Step 4: Prepare all required documents.

Step 5: Submit your application to the Korean Immigration Office or through your university if it provides visa support.

Step 6: Receive approval and update your visa status.

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What If Your D4 Visa Is About to Expire but You Are Not Yet Eligible for a Degree Programme?

If you do not yet qualify to change to a D2 Visa, you may:

• Apply for an extension of your D4 Visa if you continue studying Korean and your school approves the extension.

• Return to your home country if you are no longer eligible to remain in South Korea.

It is strongly recommended not to allow your visa to expire before taking action, as overstaying may result in penalties and negatively affect future visa applications.

Which Visa Is Right for You?

A D2 Visa is ideal for students who are ready to begin degree studies and wish to earn an academic qualification.

A D4 Visa is more suitable for students who need to improve their Korean language skills before entering a degree programme.

For most Vietnamese students, the most common and effective pathway is:

Korean Language Programme (D4 Visa) → D2 Visa → Graduation → Employment in South Korea or Further Study

Choosing the appropriate visa from the outset will help you save time and money while ensuring your study plan aligns with your long-term goals.

Study in South Korea with Song Da TOHOKU

If you are unsure whether to choose a D2 Visa or a D4 Visa, or if you need advice on changing from a D4 Visa to a D2 Visa, Song Da TOHOKU Joint Stock Company is here to support you throughout your journey—from choosing the right school and preparing your application to obtaining your visa and starting your studies in South Korea.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Song Da TOHOKU Joint Stock Company

📍 Address: L02-L01, Area A, Duong Noi Urban Area, Duong Noi Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam

🌐 Website: https://tohoku.vn

☎ Hotline: +84 989 044 852

📧 Email: tohokusongda2014@gmail.com