South Korea Mobility & Study Hub

A: Yes, but students must secure prior immigration permission called a Part-Time Work Permit (시간제취업 S-3 stamp) through HiKorea before starting work. Degree students (D-2) who hold TOPIK Level 3 or higher (Level 4 for Years 3-4) can work up to 20 to 25 hours per week during the semester, and unlimited hours during official summer and winter vacations. Language students (D-4) are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week only after completing 6 months of study.

A: Under Korea Immigration Service guidelines, applicants for degree programs (D-2) in the Seoul Metropolitan Area must provide a verified bank balance certificate of at least $20,000 USD (or KRW equivalent ~26,000,000 KRW) held for at least 30 days. For regional universities outside Seoul, the requirement is $18,000 USD. For D-4 language training, the requirement is $10,000 USD.

A: Yes. All foreign students residing in South Korea are automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS - 국민건강보험) once their Alien Registration Card (ARC) is issued. International students receive a government discount of approximately 50-60%, making the monthly student contribution roughly 70,000 to 80,000 KRW/month, which covers full access to Korean clinics, dentists, and hospitals.

A: Graduates typically transition to the D-10-1 Job Seeker Visa, which uses a 190-point system where 60 points are required for approval (graduating from a Korean university awards significant points). The D-10 visa is valid for 6 months and renewable up to 2 years. Upon securing a skilled job contract paying at least 80% of Korea's GNI per capita, graduates can change status to an E-7 Professional Employment Visa or apply for the F-2-7 points-based resident visa (requiring 80+ points out of 170).