Student visa routes in Republic of Korea
Thinking about Republic of Korea as a place to work? Below is the 1 Republic of Korea visa route that most commonly fits students, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: international student, graduate student, postgraduate, undergraduate.
What this means for students
Of the 1 Republic of Korea route that commonly fits students, 1 needs a sponsoring employer and 0 do not, and 0 can lead to permanent residence. Students are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into Republic of Korea overall is the E-7 Designated Activities Visa; it is not specific to students but is worth understanding as the benchmark route.
Routes that fit students
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit students moving to Republic of Korea?+
Republic of Korea has 1 route that commonly fits students: Student Visa (D-2). The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do students need a job offer to move to Republic of Korea?+
For the routes that fit students here, yes — all 1 require a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. Securing that offer is usually the first and slowest step, so it is worth starting there.
Can students settle permanently in Republic of Korea?+
None of the routes that most closely fit students here are flagged as leading directly to permanent residence — they are temporary or transitional. You may still be able to switch to a settlement route later; see all Republic of Korea routes for the options.