The application for student visa (D-2) requires a number of documents like the Certificate of Admission (COA), which will be issued by the Admissions Team at SUNY Korea. Proof of Final Academic Credentials and Financial Statement (E.g. Bank account, scholarship, etc.) which serves as proof of a student’s budget for expenses while staying in Korea are needed too. Keep in mind that these documents may take a long time to be issued, and additional requirements may be asked of you during the process. It is recommended that students contact the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country well ahead of time, to ask for the documents needed for student visa application, and prepare them in advance to get the visa on time.
After international students have been admitted and paid the tuition fee, they will be able to receive their Certificate of Admission (COA). This must be taken to the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country to apply for a D-2 visa.
Prepare the required documents for the Immigration Office. The required documents are listed below. However, they are subject to change We strongly encourage you to visit the official Immigration website or inquire directly to the Immigration Office to find the updated information: Immigration Office: Call 1345 (Various language service available)
Hi Korea homepage (e-government for Foreigners): https://www.hikorea.go.kr
Visa extension availability will be restricted according to your academic schedule. Students who have completed the undergraduate course will be permitted an extension of stay of only 1.5 years (Master’s course) or 3 years (PhD course). Students must graduate within this time period with no exceptions. Also, please note that the visa will be automatically canceled within 30 days according to the school registration change such as dis-enrollment, dropout, leave of absence, expulsion, graduation and/or Korean nationality acquisition.
Required documents
Students must have health insurance coverage if they are enrolled as full-time students at SUNY Korea. Korean Alien Law requires all international students to have health insurance while they are enrolled at the University.
However, you cannot apply for the Korean National Health Insurance until your Alien Registration information is registered to the system. Therefore, you must have health insurance coverage for at least 3 months until you can subscribe to the Korean National Health Insurance. It usually takes at least one month to receive your RC (Residence Card) after you apply. All international students must send proof of health insurance or traveler’s insurance to the Student Services Team ( student@sunykorea.ac.kr ) a week before the SUNY Korea New Student Welcome Week begins.
If you cannot prove your health insurance coverage when you come to SUNY Korea, your admission offer may be rescinded.
As of March 1, 2021, the Korean Government has issued a new law that international students residing in Korea with a valid D-2 student visa are subject to a mandatory subscription to the Korean National health insurance from March 1, 2021. You can see more information regarding the guidelines in the PDF attachment available here.
39,540 KRW for April + 3,950 KRW (1/10th of the March contribution)
As of 2021, the health insurance fee is about 135,000 KRW. However, the Korean Government decided to allow international students to receive the insurance benefits with a 70% discounted fee from March 2021 until February 2022.
However, the reduced fee only applies to students who:
If you received an income and paid the income tax in 2019 (such as working as a Research Assistant), your insurance fee may be different than the reduced fee. If you worked in 2019, but currently are not working, then you may be able to request for the reduction (they may request for documentation for verification purposes). The insurance fee may differ for each student.
You can call (033-811-2000 for English service) or visit a NHIS branch office to apply for an electronic (email or mobile) billing instead of receiving a paper bill. We recommend you to do so for efficient communication.
Please bring your RC (Residence Card) and bankbook or bank account information Insurance Benefits:
If you have any questions regarding the Korean national health insurance, please contact NHIS at 033-811-2000 for services in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Uzbek. You can also visit the nearby NHIS branch office for consultation (click here to access the NHIS website).
According to the Korean Immigration Law, D-1 ~ F-3 Visa holders (including D-2 Visa holders) are allowed re-entry into Korea within 1 year from the date of departure without a Re-Entry Permit as of April 1, 2022. Therefore, you do not need to apply for a Re-Entry Permit when you leave the country during semester breaks.
*Re-Entry Permit will be exempted within the period of stay for people whose period of stay is less than 1 year. If you re-enter Korea after the expiration date of your RC (Residence Card), you have to reapply for the visa.
Please refer to the HiKorea website or contact the Immigration Office Contact Center via 1345 (English service available) for more information.
According to the KCDC, individuals arriving from foreign countries can pre-register their quarantine information through the Q-Code to simplify the arrival process at the Incheon International Airport. Please visit the Q-Code website to issue the QR code before your departure.
As of October 1, 2022, individuals arriving from foreign countries can enter Korea without quarantine. COVID-19 test before and upon arrival is no longer required.