Frequently Asked Questions

At designated 'visa-review-strengthened' universities (formerly 'lower-tier'), Korean-language requirements apply per program: associate degrees and root-industry training programs require TOPIK Level 2 / KIIP Level 2; bachelor's (including transfer-in) and above require TOPIK Level 4 / KIIP Level 4; arts and physical-education programs require TOPIK Level 3; non-degree exchange students require TOPIK Level 2. Other universities follow their own admission standards. English-track applicants can satisfy the language requirement with TOEFL 530 (iBT 71), IELTS 5.5, or equivalent. Only FIMS-registered institutions are accepted.

The official standard is 'one year of tuition plus living expenses' — not a fixed dollar amount. Submit a bank balance certificate scaled to your university's actual tuition and living costs. Students in a degree program at certified or high-rated universities who earned a C average (2.0) or above in the previous semester may skip the financial documents at extension time. However, at certified (non-top-tier) universities this exemption does NOT apply to nationals of 'designated' or 'focus-managed' countries. Government-scholarship recipients may also qualify for exemption under separate rules.

No. A Standard Admission Letter from a FIMS-registered institution (junior college or above) is a required document — you cannot apply for the visa without it.

Dependent visas (F-3) are restricted for associate degrees (D-2-1), Korean-language training, and short-term student programs. Bachelor's and above (D-2-2~4), research, and exchange students may qualify, and exceptions are allowed on humanitarian grounds.

Yes, you can. There are two paths: stay in Korea and apply for a Change of Status at your local Immigration Office, or leave the country and apply for a new D-2 visa at a Korean consulate abroad. Either way, what you actually need to prepare comes down to four things. First, admission. A Standard Certificate of Admission from a FIMS-registered institution (junior college or above). Second, Korean ability. General universities follow their own admission standards, but at visa-review-strengthened universities the bar is TOPIK 4 for bachelor's or higher (TOPIK 2 for associate). English-track applicants can substitute TOEFL or IELTS. Third, financial proof. A bank balance certificate covering one year of tuition + living costs. Fourth, as a Myanmar national, you'll also need a tuberculosis screening certificate (one of the 35 high-risk countries). Get your highest-education record Apostilled while you're at it. One tip — submit at least 2 weeks before your D-4 expires, to be safe. And a domestic change into a visa-review-strengthened university can be blocked, so in that case a fresh application from abroad is often faster. Book your visit through Hi Korea and apply at your local Immigration Office.

You must obtain prior permission from the Immigration Office. D-2-1~4, D-2-6, and D-2-7 holders can apply immediately; D-2-8 visiting students and language students (D-4-1/7) must wait 6 months after entry or status change. Allowed hours depend on Korean proficiency. When the Korean-language requirement IS met — associate/bachelor's: 25 hrs/week during term, 30 hrs on weekends & breaks; master's/PhD: 30 hrs/week during term, 35 hrs on weekends & breaks. When it is NOT met — associate/bachelor's: 10 hrs/week, master's/PhD: 15 hrs/week during term, with unlimited hours on weekends & breaks. Manufacturing work requires TOPIK Level 4+; special employment forms (dispatch, subcontracting, remote work, etc.) are prohibited. Work locations are capped at 2 for degree students and 1 for language students. Students granted an exceptional stay permit due to insufficient credits cannot work part-time, except master's/PhD thesis candidates, who are allowed up to 30 hrs/week.

In principle, changing schools or degree programs inside Korea is restricted — the standard approach is to leave Korea and reapply. If a change is needed while in good standing, only lateral moves within the same degree level (D-2-1~4) are allowed. To move to a LOWER degree level, you must meet all three conditions: (1) TOPIK Level 3+, (2) able to graduate from the prior program within its stay cap, and (3) a Ministry-of-Justice-designated 'approved major' (STEM, shortage-occupation fields, elder care, K-Culture, etc.). Students who have completed, are on leave, or were expelled — and those at visa-review-strengthened universities or on a language course — cannot transfer.

Leaves for personal reasons, deferred graduation, or insufficient credits typically result in a denied extension. Only unavoidable reasons such as illness or accident are accepted, and supporting documents must be submitted.

Apply at your local Immigration Office before your current stay expires; extensions are issued to match the academic schedule. (Note: the 'C average (2.0) or higher' rule is NOT the extension requirement — it is the restriction threshold for part-time work permits.) The actual extension rules are: (1) students at certified high-rated universities with C or above skip the financial documents and receive a 2-year stay cap (exception: at certified (non-top-tier) universities, nationals of 'designated' or 'focus-managed' countries are excluded); (2) at visa-review-strengthened universities, a D grade (1.0) or below triggers only a one-time 6-month extension with a written explanation, and repeated D grades lead to restricted extension; (3) academic leave for personal reasons or insufficient credits usually results in denied extension — only unavoidable reasons such as illness or accident are accepted. Typical documents: application form, passport, Alien Registration Card, enrollment certificate, transcript, attendance record, residence proof.

Registered D-2 students are exempt from the re-entry permit if they return within 1 year. For absences between 1 and 2 years, obtain a multiple re-entry permit before leaving (a fee applies). If you are under any entry restriction, you must still apply for permission at your local Immigration Office.

Overstaying is a serious offense and can lead to fines, forced departure, and re-entry bans. Always renew before expiration, and report any change to your name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport, or school within 15 days.