D-2 · D-4 Required documents
Based on 12 official sources.
[1]D-2/D-4/D-10/E-7/F-2/F-5 requirement check policy
Stay-status evaluation depends on current status, target status, activity purpose, school/employment/income, remaining stay period, and violation history. D-2 covers degree study, D-4 training/language programs, D-10 job seeking or startup preparation, E-7 professional/specific activities, F-2 residence, and F-5 permanent residence. If facts are missing, ask for current status, expiry date, school or employment conditions, and budget/financial proof before answering.
Source: 하이코리아 체류자격별 통합 안내 매뉴얼 · Checked 2026-07-02
[2]D-4 to D-2 transfer
After language program → degree program: change D-4 to D-2. Submit: admission letter, TOPIK 4+, school cert. Takes 2-4 weeks. Don't leave without travel permit.
Source: 법무부 출입국외국인정책본부 · Checked 2026-07-01
[3]Documents for changing to D-10-1 job-seeking status
Study in Korea's D-10-1 job-seeking guidance lists the core change-of-status packet as an application form, photo, passport copy, fee, alien registration card copy, job-seeking activity plan, degree certificate, and proof of residence. Korean-language proficiency or career certificates apply when relevant; financial proof is described as six months of living expenses at KRW 900,000 per month. A first change from Study (D-2) to Job-Seeking (D-10) is exempt from the financial-proof submission. Confirm the latest checklist through 1345 or the competent immigration office because additional documents can depend on the applicant's current status and subtype.
Source: Study in Korea · D-10-1 구직 체류자격 변경 · Checked 2026-07-14
[4]Legal basis for change-of-status permission
Immigration Act Article 24 requires a foreign national staying in Korea to obtain change-of-status permission in advance, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, before engaging in activities under a status different from the current one. A person who was in one of the Article 31(1) exempt categories and changes identity must obtain change permission within 30 days from that change. The review criteria are set by Ministry of Justice rules, so KARXY should check whether the new activity has started, whether the current activity stopped, whether domestic change is available for the target status, and the Enforcement Decree tables, Enforcement Rule attachments, and HiKorea guidance.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 제24조 · Checked 2026-07-02
[5]Visa types and certificate for confirmation of visa issuance
Immigration Act Article 8 distinguishes single-entry visas from multiple-entry visas and delegates visa issuance criteria and procedures to Ministry of Justice rules. Article 9 allows a certificate for confirmation of visa issuance to be issued before visa issuance when the Minister of Justice considers it necessary, based on the foreign national's application, and the person intending to invite that foreign national may apply on their behalf. For D-2/D-4 admissions, E-7 employment, E-8 seasonal work, F-6 invitations, or other sponsor-driven matters, KARXY should check whether a certificate route applies, whether the inviter can apply on behalf of the applicant, the overseas mission visa step, and Enforcement Rule attachments.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 제8조·제9조 · Checked 2026-07-02
[6]Long-term stay-status classifications under the Enforcement Decree
The Enforcement Decree table linked to Article 12 defines long-term stay statuses by eligible person or activity scope. D-2 covers degree study or specific research at higher-education or research institutions; D-4 covers training, education, or research under Ministry of Justice conditions; D-10 covers job seeking/training for E-series fields or startup preparation; E-7 covers activities specially designated by the Minister of Justice under contract. F-2 and F-5 require separate residence/permanent-residence criteria.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 시행령 · Checked 2026-07-02
[7]Entry inspection: passport, visa, purpose, and stay-period checks
Immigration Act Article 12 makes entry permission depend on inspection of passport and entry declaration, valid passport and required visa or electronic travel authorization, purpose matching the stay status, stay period under Ministry of Justice rules, and absence of entry-ban grounds. For C-3, K-ETA, D-2, or D-4 entry questions, KARXY should check actual purpose, status fit, return ticket, address, funding, entry-ban risk, and electronic arrival/K-ETA requirements rather than treating visa possession as enough.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 제12조 · Checked 2026-07-02
[8]Risk of status violation, unauthorized work, and false documents
A foreign national who works or acts outside the permitted stay status and activity scope can face a status-violation issue. Work requires a work-authorized status or separate permission, and D-2/D-4 student part-time work has its own permission/reporting conditions. False documents, false invitations, unauthorized work, and overstay can lead to deportation, entry bans, criminal penalties, or administrative fines depending on the case.
Source: 국가법령정보센터 · 출입국관리법 · Checked 2026-07-02
[9]HiKorea integrated stay-status manual
HiKorea publishes an integrated manual by stay status for visa and residence petitions, covering applicant scope and required documents. The manual is updated when rules change, but publication can lag, so current case advice should be checked through 1345 or the competent immigration office. KARXY checks the Immigration Act, Enforcement Decree, and Enforcement Rule first, then uses this manual as operational document/procedure guidance.
Source: 하이코리아 체류자격별 통합 안내 매뉴얼 · Checked 2026-07-02
[10]HiKorea status-change guidance
If the applicant stops the current status activity and begins an activity under another status, change-of-status permission is required. HiKorea states the default principle is to depart, obtain the appropriate visa, and re-enter; domestic change is limited and strictly reviewed when requirements can be met in Korea. Permission must be obtained before starting the new activity.
Source: 하이코리아 체류자격변경 안내 · Checked 2026-07-02
[11]Required visa documents
Per Study in Korea, D-2/D-4 visa requires: passport copy, ID photo, school business registration, standard admission letter, education proof, financial proof. TB test required for citizens of Vietnam, Mongolia, China, Philippines, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal.
Source: Study in Korea · Checked 2026-07-01
[12]Financial proof
Financial proof via bank balance certificate (self or parents). D-2: 20,000+ USD, D-4: 13,000+ USD, held 1+ month. Some countries need 6 months. Fake certificates = deportation + entry ban. Platform refuses fake document requests.
Source: 법무부 비자 발급 안내 · Checked 2026-07-01
How these rules apply can differ with your circumstances, and the final decision rests with the immigration office with jurisdiction. Preparing and filing documents for an individual case is the work of a licensed administrative scrivener.