South Korea Student Visa for Indians 2026 - Fees, Documents & Process

The South Korea student visa is for genuine full-time study at a recognised Korean educational institution. The Korean Embassy assesses three things: the applicant must hold a confirmed admission (a Standard Admission Letter from the university), the applicant must prove they can fund the first year of tuition and living costs, and the applicant must show they intend to leave Korea after their studies.

Who CAN apply:

• Students admitted to a Korean university degree program — associate, bachelor's, master's or PhD (D-2)
• Students admitted to a Korean language institute for Korean language training (D-4)
• Exchange students enrolled in a recognised exchange program between an Indian and a Korean university (D-2-6)
• Research students and visiting scholars at a Korean institution (D-2-5, D-2-8)
• Students with a full or partial scholarship (GKS, university scholarships) — the scholarship letter reduces the bank balance requirement
• Students whose tuition and living costs are funded by parents or guardians — with family relation documents

Bringing your family? D-2 students can bring their spouse and children to Korea on an F-3 dependent visa, subject to immigration's 2-year stay rule for student principals. See our South Korea dependent visa guide for the income and document requirements.

Who CANNOT apply:

• Job seekers — the student visa does not permit entering the Korean labour market
• Applicants who intend to work full-time in Korea — that is the E-series work visa route, which is employer-sponsored
• Applicants whose trip is mainly tourism — the C-3-9 tourist visa is the correct category
• Anyone planning to work in Korea without a work permit — part-time work is strictly limited (see Part-Time Work below)
• Students who plan to stay beyond the period granted at entry without extending their visa

D-2 Subcategories

The D-2 visa has several subcategories depending on the level of study:

The D-4 visa is most commonly issued as D-4-1 for Korean language trainees at university-affiliated language institutes.

This is the section where most student visa guides go wrong. There is no single official national figure — the amount is set by the Korean mission you apply through and sometimes by your university, and the Mumbai consulate's checklist (the controlling document for India applications) does not publish one balance amount. The figures below are the commonly cited working baselines as of August 2026 — your university's admission letter and the mission checklist take priority:

The KRW 18,000,000 figure that appears on some Indian agent pages is not the official baseline. Korea University's Fall 2026 admission guide, for example, tells admitted students to show a bank balance of KRW 20,000,000 or more — and Seoul National University specifies the same. Some Korean missions in high-risk countries ask for more than the baseline, so always confirm the exact amount with your university's international office and the Korean mission before arranging the certificate. For India applications, the controlling document is the Mumbai consulate's visa checklist (effective 6 July 2026) — it does not publish a single balance figure, which is why the baselines above are the working reference.

The rules around the money matter as much as the amount:

• One account only. The balance must sit in a single account. Korean consular guidance explicitly states that balances across multiple accounts cannot be combined to meet the threshold.
• 28-day hold. The funds must have been deposited and maintained continuously for at least 28 days before your application date. A large deposit made two weeks before you print your statement is a red flag.
• Fresh certificate. The Certificate of Bank Balance must be issued within 30 days of your visa application submission date.
• KRW or USD, not INR. The balance certificate must state the amount in KRW or USD. INR-denominated statements alone are not accepted — your bank must either hold foreign currency or state the USD equivalent on the certificate.
• Parent sponsorship is allowed. If the funds are in a parent's account, submit a notarised sponsorship letter plus proof of relationship (birth certificate or family relation certificate, translated into English).
• No volatile assets. Mutual funds with redemption timelines, equity holdings and cryptocurrency are rejected. Use a standard savings account or fixed deposit.

D-2 (Degree) Document Checklist

The national D-2 document list, per the Ministry of Justice visa manual:

• Visa application form (electronic form on korea-visa.go.kr, printed, signed)
• Passport (valid 6+ months beyond stay, 2+ blank pages) and a copy of the first and last pages
• One passport-size photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background, taken within 6 months)
• Standard Admission Letter issued by the university president or dean (the original)
• Business registration certificate of the Korean university (issued by the university)
• TB diagnosis certificate — mandatory because India is on Korea's tuberculosis high-risk country list (35 countries)
• Final academic credential — your degree or graduation certificate, apostilled (see below)
• Proof of financial capability (bank balance certificate + statements, per the rules above)
• Family relation documents — only if you are using a parent's bank certificate
• CSR or visa issuance number — if your university arranges one (see the CSR section below)

D-4 (Language Training) Document Checklist

• Visa application form (electronic form, printed, signed)
• Passport (valid 6+ months) and a copy of the first and last pages
• One passport-size photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background)
• Standardised acceptance letter from the language institute, or FIMS information confirmation
• Business registration certificate of the education institute
• Enrolment letter or a copy of your final education diploma
• Proof of financial support (balance statement issued within the past 30 days)
• Family relations certificate (if a parent sponsors you)
• Training plan (schedule, lecturers, course details)
• TB test result (if applicable — India is on Korea's high-risk list)
• CSR or visa issuance number — if the institute arranges one

Only your degree or graduation certificate needs an apostille, per the Ministry of Justice visa manual. Transcripts, birth certificates and police clearance certificates are not on the D-2 list. For a master's application you apostille your bachelor's certificate; for a PhD, your master's.

In India, a document cannot go straight to the MEA. It must first be authenticated at your state's Regional Authentication Centre, then deposited with an authorised agency. The MEA charges ₹50 per apostille sticker and does not publish a turnaround time — apply well in advance.

The Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CSR) is the single most important document for long-stay Korea visas — and the one most student visa guides never mention. For D-2 and D-4 visas, the Korean university (your sponsor) applies for this at the local Korea Immigration Service office in Korea. Without it, your long-stay visa application will not be processed.

How it works:

1. Your Korean university applies for the CSR at the local Korea Immigration Service office
2. Immigration verifies the university's accreditation, your admission and your financial capability
3. Processing takes 2-4 weeks
4. The university receives a visa issuance number (or the original CSR document)
5. You write the visa issuance number on your application form, or submit the original CSR with your visa application
6. The CSR is valid for 3 months from the date of issue

Important: Since 2026, universities are sorted into certification tiers by the Ministry of Justice, and the tier decides how closely your file is screened. At Excellent-tier universities, the university files for the CSR and you receive a visa issuance number by email or SMS — the e-visa route also opens. When the university does not provide an issuance number, you apply directly at the Korean mission in India with your Standard Admission Letter and the mission's document set. In the February 2026 review, 20 institutions (16 degree programs + 4 language programs) were designated for strict visa screening and barred from issuing student visas for one year from the second semester of 2026 — confirm your university's certification tier before you commit.

Step 1: Get admitted. Apply to Korean universities, receive your offer, and obtain the Standard Admission Letter issued by the university president or dean. Confirm whether the university will arrange a CSR / visa issuance number.

Step 2: Prepare your financial proof. Move the required amount into a single savings account at least 2 months before you expect your Certificate of Admission — one month of buffer plus the 28-day minimum hold. Obtain a Certificate of Bank Balance in KRW or USD issued within 30 days of your application date.

Step 3: Complete the electronic application form. Fill in the visa application form on the Korea Visa Portal (korea-visa.go.kr), print it and sign it.

Step 4: Book an appointment and submit. Book an appointment at VFS Global (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru) or BLS International (Mumbai, Hyderabad). Submit your documents in person. Biometrics are collected for all applicants over 17 years.

Step 5: Pay the visa fee. ₹5,400 for a single-entry visa over 90 days, plus ₹1,100 service charge — approximately ₹6,500 in total. Express processing is optional at ₹8,100 + ₹1,100.

Step 6: Wait for processing. Standard processing is 2-4 weeks, including CSR verification. Track your application online.

Step 7: Collect your passport and download your Visa Grant Notice. Korea no longer issues physical visa stickers in passports. Once approved, your visa is recorded electronically — download and print your Visa Grant Notice from the Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr) and carry it with your passport when you fly. Check that your name and dates on the notice are correct before travelling, and enter Korea within the validity period shown on the notice (typically 3 months from issuance).

Step 8: Fly and register. Enter Korea within the visa's validity. Complete alien registration within 90 days of arrival.

The official fee for Indian citizens, effective 1 August 2026:

Express processing is available only to applicants who have previously visited Korea or hold a visa issuance approval number — most students with a CSR will qualify, but confirm at the application centre.

Fee-confusion resolution: The "KRW 30,000–90,000 (approximately INR 2,000–6,000)" figure on some older pages matches no official fee schedule — it appears to be a misreading of the Korean won fee for other nationalities. The USD 60 base fee listed on HiKorea for a single entry over 90 days is the international reference; the INR amount for Indian applicants is set by the Korean mission in India. The current rate of ₹5,400 was confirmed on 29 August 2026 on both official channels: the Korea Visa Application Center fee notice of 30 July 2026 (effective 1 August 2026, Chennai and Bangalore) and the BLS International South Korea page (Mumbai and Hyderabad), which also lists the ₹1,100 service charge. The Mumbai consulate published a fee update effective 3 August 2026 aligning its channel to these rates — the old ₹5,100 figure still visible on some regional pages is the pre-August 2026 rate.

Student visa applications are submitted in person at the authorised application centres — not directly at the embassy:

• VFS Global: Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
• BLS International: Mumbai, Hyderabad

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is in New Delhi, with Consulates General in Chennai and Mumbai. Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chandigarh have honorary consuls only — they do not process visa applications. Applications are accepted only at the VFS Global and BLS International centres listed above. For the full centre-wise jurisdiction table and a walkthrough of every visa type, see our main South Korea visa guide.

CSR Note: Most D-2/D-4 applications require a CSR from Korean Immigration before the visa is issued. Your university applies for this at the local Korea Immigration Service office; processing takes 2-4 weeks. The CSR is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance. If your university arranges a visa issuance number, the e-visa route can shorten the overall timeline.

Part-Time Work Rules for Students

D-2 students can work part-time in Korea, but only with permission:

• Work permit required: You must obtain an S-3 part-time work permit from the Korea Immigration Service. Working without it is a violation of the Immigration Act — punishable by up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 30 million, and it can lead to visa cancellation. The permission fee is KRW 20,000.
• Hours (D-2): Up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and 25 hours per week during vacation periods.
• Eligibility (D-2): You must hold a valid ARC, maintain a minimum GPA (typically 2.0), and meet the Korean proficiency requirement — TOPIK Level 3 or equivalent. In practice, immigration expects at least one completed semester before approving the permit, even though the enforcement rules do not impose a fixed minimum period.
• D-4 language students: No work at all during the first 6 months. After 6 months, with a valid ARC and TOPIK Level 2 or higher (or KIIP Level 2), you can apply for a part-time work permit — up to 20 hours per week (10 hours if your Korean proficiency is below TOPIK Level 2), and 25 hours per week in vacation. An attendance rate of 70% or higher is required.
• Job restrictions: Work must not interfere with studies. Construction, manufacturing (below TOPIK Level 4), delivery services and adult entertainment are off-limits for all student visa holders.

All international students staying in Korea for 6 months or more are mandatorily enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). This was previously voluntary for students; it is now compulsory. The monthly premium is deducted from your bank account, and the NHIS card gives you access to Korean medical facilities at subsidised rates. Your university's international office will guide you through the enrolment process after arrival. Keep your private travel insurance for the first weeks before NHIS coverage begins.

The visa fee is a small part of the real cost. Budget for the full first year before you commit:

• Tuition (public universities): roughly KRW 2.4 million to KRW 16 million per semester, depending on the program — engineering and medicine cost the most. Private universities are higher.
• Living costs (Seoul): roughly KRW 8-12 million per year for rent, food, transport and personal expenses. Regional cities are cheaper.
• NHIS health insurance: roughly ₩40,000 per month for students.
• First-year total: most self-funded students plan for KRW 25-35 million (approx. ₹15-21 lakh) for tuition plus living costs — the bank balance you show should cover this.

These are planning ranges, not official figures — confirm tuition with your university's international office and check the scholarship options below before budgeting.

After graduating, D-2 holders can apply to switch to a D-10 job-seeker visa to stay in Korea and look for employment — it is issued for up to 2 years in increments. This is the standard route from student to worker in Korea. D-4 language students who complete their training can also apply for a D-10 in limited circumstances. Check the current D-10 rules with the Korea Immigration Service before your student visa expires — you cannot switch after overstaying.

For the latest policy changes affecting study in Korea, check our visa news section.

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