South Korea Study Visa
Study in South Korea with GIEC Global Sri Lanka and access world-class universities, affordable tuition, global career opportunities, and expert guidance for a smooth student visa process from start to finish.
Why Study in South Korea?
South Korea has become one of the fastest-growing education hubs for international students, attracting learners from around the world with its high-quality universities, advanced technology, affordable tuition fees and strong global career opportunities. If you’re planning to study in South Korea, here’s why it could be the smartest move for your future.
- Degrees from Korean universities are respected worldwide, especially in engineering, IT, business and sciences. Graduates often find opportunities across Asia, Europe and North America.
- Compared to other study destinations, South Korea offers reasonable tuition fees and living costs. With guidance from student visa consultants, students can also access scholarships that reduce expenses further.
- Many universities now offer English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs, so students can study comfortably even if they don’t speak Korean.
- International students can apply for scholarships, including the Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) and various university-funded scholarships, which help reduce study costs.
What is Korea Student Visa (D-2 Visa)?
The D-2 Visa is for the international students who want to pursue academic studies in Korea for a full-time, long-term degree course or exchange program. This visa allows holders to enter and stay in South Korea if they enroll in a degree course or exchange program for more than 90 days. The D-2 Student visa is a single-entry visa which is valid for 3 months. The visa can be renewed after the completion of every study program, provided that you enroll for another exchange program or degree course in Korea.
| Criteria | Bachelor’s in South Korea | Master’s in South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Program Duration | Bachelor’s: 4 years | Master’s: 2 years |
| Popular Programs | Bachelor’s: Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Media, Biotechnology | Master’s: Data Science, AI, MBA, Engineering, International Business |
| Top Universities | Bachelor’s: Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University, Hanyang University | Master’s: KAIST, POSTECH, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University |
| Tuition Fees (Per Year) | Bachelor’s: USD 3,000 – 12,000 | Master’s: USD 4,000 – 20,000 |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s: 12 years of education (O/Ls & A/Ls), GPA 3.0+ | Master’s: Recognized bachelor’s degree in a relevant field |
| Language Requirement | Bachelor’s: TOPIK 3+ (Korean) or IELTS 5.5+ (English) | Master’s: IELTS 6.0+ or TOPIK 3–4 |
| Intakes | Bachelor’s: March & September | Master’s: March & September |
| Visa Type | Bachelor’s: D-2 Student Visa | Master’s: D-2 Student Visa |
| Part-Time Work | Bachelor’s: Allowed with permission | Master’s: Allowed with permission |
| Post-Study Options | Bachelor’s: Can switch to work visa after graduation | Master’s: Better chances for skilled job visas and long-term stay |
Step-by-Step Korea Study Visa Application Process
Let’s break it down into simple, manageable steps.
Step 1: Get Admission from a Korean University
Secure an official admission letter from a recognized institution. Without this, the visa process cannot begin.
Step 2: Prepare Documents
Gather and organize all required documents. Accuracy matters here more than speed.
Step 3: Submit Visa Application
Submit your application at the nearest Korean embassy or consulate. Some students may apply through designated visa centers.
Step 4: Attend Visa Interview
Not all applicants are interviewed, but if you are, answer confidently and honestly. The interview focuses on your study plans and financial stability.
South korea study visa success rate
The South Korea study visa success rate is around 85% to 95% on average. Success rates all depend on applicant’s academic background, financial stability and the accuracy of the application. Students can apply for the D-2 student visa in Korea (for degree programs) or the D4 visa in Korea (for language courses) usually receive approvals smoothly when documents are complete and verifiable. To improve your approval chance, you have to showcase:
- An Official admission letter from a recognized university.
- Meet the Korea Study visa requirements
- Clearly explain your Study plan
- Showcase your financial proof to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
Many refusals happen due to weak financial documents or unclear funding sources. This is why many applicants choose to apply through a trusted student visa agent, study visa consultant or experienced education visa consultants who ensure documents meet embassy standards.
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Popular Programs and Career Trends in South Korea
| Program / Field | 2025–26 Trend & Career Outlook |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning | Explosive demand for AI engineers, model builders, and ML Ops specialists across tech, games, and manufacturing — driven by national AI investments and chip demand. |
| Data Science & Big Data Analytics | Strong hiring for data engineers, analysts, and applied researchers in finance, healthcare, and retail as firms scale data-driven products. |
| Semiconductors & Chip Engineering | Major investments in advanced memory and packaging (HBM, packaging fabs) create roles in hardware R&D, process engineering, and fabrication. |
| Cybersecurity | Growing need for security analysts, cloud-security engineers and SOC staff as digital services expand. |
| Robotics & Automation Engineering | Jobs in industrial automation, robot design, and smart factory integration remain strong, tied to Korea’s manufacturing upgrades. |
| Electric Vehicles (EV) & Green Energy | Rising hiring in EV powertrain, battery tech, and renewable energy engineering as policy and auto investment accelerate transition. |
| Biotechnology & Life Sciences | More roles in biotech R&D, medtech, and clinical data science — supported by government and private R&D spending. |
| Software Engineering & Cloud Infrastructure | Strong demand for backend, DevOps, and cloud engineers to support AI services, e-commerce, and enterprise cloud migrations. |
| Game Development, Animation & Digital Media | Korea’s gaming and creative tech sector expands with AI tools — demand for game programmers, artists, and technical artists rises. |
| Finance, FinTech & Quantitative Finance | Hiring in fintech, digital payments, and quant roles as Korea upgrades financial market infrastructure and fintech startups scale. |
| UX / UI Design & Product Management | Product designers and PMs are sought after to build consumer and enterprise digital products, especially mobile-first experiences. |
| Healthcare, MedTech & Clinical Data | Growth in roles for clinical researchers, regulatory specialists, and health-data analysts as biotech and medtech expand. |
| Supply Chain, Logistics & Smart Manufacturing | Demand for supply-chain analysts, logistics automation specialists, and plant engineers driven by export-oriented industry recovery. |
| Korean Language & Cultural Studies | Continued value for students who learn Korean — improves employability in local firms and eases transition to work visas. |
| Entrepreneurship & Startups | Startup ecosystem demand for founders and growth hires in AI, fintech, gaming, and deeptech — supported by VC and policy incentives. |
Eligibility criteria for sri lanka students to study in south korea
As a sri lanka student interested in pursing higher education in south korea (2026), there are some eligibility and requirements for international students from non- korean backgrounds. These Criteria cover academic admissions, language proficiency, financial stability and visa processes.
| Criterion | Details for Sri Lankan Students |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualifications | Bachelor’s: 12 years of education (O/Ls & A/Ls with diploma), GPA 3.0+ Master’s: Recognized bachelor’s degree PhD: Master’s degree Non-Korean citizenship required for student and parents |
| Language Proficiency | Korean programs: TOPIK Level 3+ English programs: IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL 80+ D-4 visa available for language preparation |
| Financial Proof | Minimum KRW 20 million (approx. USD 15,000) or approved scholarship Tuition: USD 3,000–20,000 per year Living cost: USD 800–1,200 per month |
| Visa Requirements | D-2 visa for degree programs longer than 90 days Apply at Korean Embassy in Colombo Documents: CoA, passport, photos, transcripts, TB test, financial proof Visa fee: USD 60–90 Alien Registration Card (ARC) required after arrival |
| Scholarships | Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): Fully funded, limited undergraduate slots Seoul Tech: For master’s students from ODA countries University scholarships: Merit-based with language criteria |
| Additional | Health insurance is mandatory Intake periods: Sept–Nov (March intake), Apr–Jun (September intake) Documents must be verified by Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Top Universities in South Korea
| University Name | Specialization / Strengths | Why It’s Popular with International Students |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul National University (SNU) | Engineering, Business, Medicine, Research | Top-ranked university in South Korea with strong global recognition |
| Korea University | Business, Law, Engineering, Social Sciences | Excellent academic reputation and global university partnerships |
| Yonsei University | Business, Humanities, Life Sciences | Wide range of English-taught programs and vibrant campus life |
| KAIST | Engineering, AI, Robotics, Technology | Research-focused institute with most graduate programs taught in English |
| POSTECH | Science, Engineering, Research | Small class sizes and strong industry-linked research programs |
| Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) | Business, Engineering, Medicine | Industry-backed programs with strong corporate exposure |
| Hanyang University | Engineering, Technology, Architecture | Strong focus on practical learning and employability |
Can I get a 100% scholarship in South Korea?
Yes, it is possible to obtain a 100% fully funded scholarship to study in south korea. There are some government backed programs and university specific initiatives. These scholarships typically cover full tution, monthly living stipends, airfare, health insurance and other pearks that makes them 100% funded. However they are highly competitive with selection based on academic excellence, language proficiency and personal statements. Getting 100% fully funded scholarship is challenging while partial scholarships covering 50-80% are more common from universities and less competitive but combining them with part-time work can bridge gaps.
Can students get PR in Korea?
No, students cannot get Permanent Residency (PR) in South Korea directly while studying. They have to work toward PR step by step after graduation. After Completing studies, international students can change their visa to a work visa if they secure a suitable job in South Korea. By gaining work experience and meeting residency requirements, they can become eligible for Permanent Residency F-5 Visa.
| Stage | Visa Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Study Period | D-2 Student Visa | Study at a Korean university |
| After Graduation | Work Visa (e.g., E-7) | Full-time employment in Korea |
| Long-Term Stay | F-2 Visa | Long-term residency with work rights |
| Permanent Residency | F-5 Visa | Permanent residence in South Korea |
How GIEC Global Can Help You?
GIEC Global is a top consultancy in Education and migration services. Our expert education visa consultant will provide end to end support for students who wants to study in south korea with confidence. Education agents helps you choose the right university and course to guiding you through the south korea study visa process, our experienced counsellors ensure every step is clear and stress free. GIEC Global Sri Lanka offers personalized guidance based on your academic background and career goals. Expert education visa consultants will assist with eligibility checks, document preparation and application accuracy to reduce the risk of visa refusal.
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FAQs
D-2 is for degree programs, while D4 is for language or short-term courses.
Yes, South Korea is known for its safety, modern infrastructure, and strong student support systems.
A nomination increases your chances significantly, but final approval always comes from IRCC.
Absolutely. BC accepts overseas work experience as long as it matches your job offer and NOC code. Canadian experience is helpful but not required.
If you qualify for Express Entry, then yes.
Express Entry BC gives you:
600 extra CRS points
Faster PR processing
Stronger application priority
This pathway is ideal for professionals with good language scores and strong profiles.
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can be included in the PR application after receiving your provincial nomination.
