Residence Card, visa extension and D-4 to D-2 in Korea
Deadlines, legal fees and documents for D-2 and D-4 students, from Korea's immigration rules.
The short answer
- Residence Card
- Within 90 days of entry · in person₩35,000 · GKS scholars pay this too
- Extend your stay
- Before the expiry date on your card (HiKorea: from 4 months before)Online or in person · ₩60,000, online ₩48,000
- Change D-4 → D-2
- Before your degree starts · online or in person₩100,000, online ₩80,000 · GKS certificate: no fee
Which parts apply to you
You came on a D-4 for a Korean language course
You came on a D-2 for a degree
You are a GKS scholar, on either visa
Your first year, in order
- Enter Korea. The 90 days start.
- Register for your card in person.
- Collect it about 2 weeks later (a MOJ leaflet, not a legal deadline).
- A D-4-1 visa is issued for up to 6 months.
- Extend before the date on your card.
- Change D-4 to D-2 before your degree starts.
Counting days. No official rule says whether the entry day is day 1. Do not wait for the last week.
Registering for your Residence Card 외국인등록증
- Deadline
- Within 90 days of your entry date, if you stay more than 90 days.
- Where
- In person at an immigration office. Book a visit on HiKorea; if no date is free before your deadline, go to the office anyway. Registration is not on the online application list.
- Fee
- ₩35,000 since January 2025. GKS and other government scholars pay it too.
- Collecting
- About 2 weeks after the application is accepted, in the words of MOJ's leaflet.
- Mobile card
- Issued since January 10, 2025, with the same legal effect as the card. Tag your IC card to get it; QR issuance at the office is free.
Sources: Act art. 31 · MOJ notice 2025-112 · Rule art. 72 · fee notice · MOJ leaflet · Act art. 33 · HiKorea reservations
Documents 6 for everyone, +2 for some
- Application form
- Passport
- One standard-size photo
- Fee
- Certificate of enrolmentAt a certified university (D-2), a tuition payment certificate can replace it.
- Proof of where you live
- D-2 onlyOne copy of your passport
- Some studentsTuberculosis certificateIf you entered on an e-visa and would have needed one for the visa, or you are from one of 35 listed countries and enter more than 6 months after a multiple long-stay visa was issued.
D-2 students need no proof of funds at registration. Documents issued in Korea must be under 3 months old. MOJ stay manual
After you register
| If you | What to do |
|---|---|
| Move house | Report within 15 days of moving in; online is fine |
| Change passport, school or name | Report within 15 days; passport changes can be filed online |
| Leave Korea for under 1 year | No re-entry permit needed, within your stay |
| Leave for 1 to 2 years | Multiple re-entry permit, ₩50,000; government scholars exempt with proof |
| Leave for good | Hand in your card as you depart |
| Are abroad on leave or after graduating | Student visa cancelled once your university reports it, whatever stay is left |
Extending a D-2 or D-4 stay 체류기간 연장허가
- Deadline
- Before your card's expiry date. HiKorea: from 4 months before, up to the expiry day; online, by the day before (Seoul immigration office, 2021).
- How
- Online on HiKorea or in person. You must be in Korea on the day you apply.
- Fee
- ₩60,000, or ₩48,000 online. Fees are not refunded once the application is accepted.
- While you wait
- If you applied online, you may stay past expiry until the decision. Leaving Korea can end the review.
Sources: Act art. 25 · HiKorea · Rule arts. 72, 74 · MOJ stay manual · e-application receipt
Steps
- Check the date on your card, or look it up:HiKorea expiry-date lookup
- Gather the documents below.
- Apply on HiKorea or book a visit. If you are not required to appear in person, as at certified universities, your university's international student officer may file for you, up to 10 students at once.
Documents 7 for everyone, +2 for some
- Application form
- Passport
- Residence Card
- Fee
- Proof you are studying normallyFor example enrolment, grade and attendance certificates.
- Proof of fundsWaived for degree students at a certified university with an overall GPA of C (2.0) or higher, except nationals of countries MOJ lists. On a D-4, only money in your own Korean bank account counts.
- Proof of where you live
- D-2 onlyCourse completion certificate and supervisor's confirmation formThe manual lists it without a condition, but its form is for students who have finished coursework and are writing a thesis.
- D-4 onlyCourse prospectus with dates, or a training plan
How long a D-2 can last
| Program | Maximum, from admission |
|---|---|
| Associate | 3 years (3-year program: 4) |
| Bachelor | 6 years (5-year program: 7) |
| Master | 5 years (3-year program: 6) |
| Doctorate | 8 years (2-year program: 7) |
What can stop an extension
Watch out. Each of these counts against you.
- A leave of absence for personal reasons, such as family matters or delaying graduation. Illness or an accident can be an exception.
- An overall GPA of D (1.0) or lower at a university under tightened visa screening: one extension of up to 6 months with a written explanation, then the next extension can be restricted if your GPA is still that low.
- Unpaid national health insurance premiums.
HiKorea's Chinese page still says 2 months before expiry; its Korean and English pages say 4.
Changing from D-4 to D-2 체류자격 변경허가
- When
- Before your degree program starts. No filing window is published.
- How
- Online on HiKorea or in person. The new Residence Card is issued as part of it.
- Fee
- ₩100,000, or ₩80,000 online. No change fee with a GKS scholarship certificate.
Sources: Act art. 24 · MOJ notice 2025-112 · Rule arts. 72, 74 · MOJ stay manual
Documents 7 for everyone, +2 for some
- Application form
- Passport and one copy
- One standard-size photo
- FeeWaived with a GKS scholarship certificate.
- Copy of the school's business registration certificate
- Standard admission letter (표준입학허가서)
- Proof of academic background and of funds
- Some studentsProof of family relationshipOnly if a parent's bank balance is your proof of funds.
- Some studentsYour language course grades or attendanceOnly if FIMS, the student information system, does not show them.
Sources differ: notarised certificates for GKS scholars
For a government scholar's change of status, a copy of the academic certificate issued by NIIED or the university, certified against the original, is accepted whatever the nationality, with no notarisation needed.
Scholars may need to submit their authenticated certificate to their degree university (for an issuance of Standard Admission Letter), to an embassy (for visa issuance), and to Korean immigration office (for a renewal or an update of their status of residence in Korea)What to do: Bring the apostilled or consular-confirmed copies NIIED advises, and ask your immigration office which it wants.
Fines for missing a deadline
Late means a fine. It grows the later you are, and the office can raise or lower it by up to half.
| Late with | Base amount |
|---|---|
| Extension | ₩500,000 under 1 month, up to ₩30,000,000 |
| Registration | ₩200,000 under 1 month, up to ₩10,000,000 |
| Address report | ₩100,000 under 3 months, up to ₩1,000,000 |
| Passport, school or name report | ₩100,000 under 3 months, up to ₩1,000,000 |
| Returning your card | ₩100,000 the first time, up to ₩1,000,000 |
No free booking slot is no excuse: HiKorea says to visit the office before the deadline. HiKorea reservations
Full schedule and legal basis
A 범칙금 (Rule annex 7) is paid in place of prosecution. A 과태료 (Decree annex 2) is an administrative fine. The office can adjust either by up to half.
Extension · 범칙금 (Rule annex 7, row 고)
| Under 1 month | ₩500,000 |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 months | ₩1,000,000 |
| 3 to 6 months | ₩2,000,000 |
| 6 months to 1 year | ₩5,000,000 |
| 1 to 2 years | ₩10,000,000 |
| 2 to 3 years | ₩15,000,000 |
| 3 to 5 years | ₩20,000,000 |
| 5 to 7 years | ₩25,000,000 |
| 7 years or more | ₩30,000,000 |
Registration · 범칙금 (Rule annex 7, row 보)
| Under 1 month | ₩200,000 |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 months | ₩500,000 |
| 3 to 6 months | ₩1,000,000 |
| 6 months to 1 year | ₩2,000,000 |
| 1 to 2 years | ₩5,000,000 |
| 2 years or more | ₩10,000,000 |
Address report · 범칙금 (Rule annex 7, row 조)
| Under 3 months | ₩100,000 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 6 months | ₩300,000 |
| 6 months to 1 year | ₩500,000 |
| 1 to 2 years | ₩700,000 |
| 2 years or more | ₩1,000,000 |
Passport, school or name report · 과태료 (Decree annex 2, row 사)
| Under 3 months | ₩100,000 |
|---|---|
| 3 to 6 months | ₩300,000 |
| 6 months to 1 year | ₩500,000 |
| 1 year or more | ₩1,000,000 |
Returning your card · 과태료 (Decree annex 2, row 아)
| First time | ₩100,000 |
|---|---|
| Second time | ₩300,000 |
| Third time | ₩500,000 |
| Fourth time or more | ₩1,000,000 |
The general row for staying outside your status or period (row 거) starts higher. Which row an office applies to a missed extension is not published.
If you are a GKS scholar
- Language-program scholars start on a 6-month D-4 and renew it themselves; NIIED does not pay the renewal fee.
- The D-4 to D-2 change fee is waived with your GKS scholarship certificate.
- You still pay the ₩35,000 Residence Card fee.
- Certificates for the change: the MOJ manual says no notarisation is needed; NIIED advises authenticated copies. See both
- Residence Card, then a bank account, then the stipend: NIIED says 1 to 3 months. GKS visa · Stipend
Sources differ: the D-4 extension fee
No fee is charged when a foreigner invited by the Korean government, which agreed to bear tuition and other costs in Korea, applies for a change of status, an extension of stay or a re-entry permit for D-1, D-2 or D-4 activities.
All scholars will be initially issued with a 6 months D-4 visa, and scholars are responsible to renew their visa during their Korean language program. NIIED does not support visa renewal fee.What to do: Bring your scholarship certificate, ask whether the fee is waived, and be ready to pay ₩60,000 (₩48,000 online).
What we could not find
- How long does processing take? The Ministry of Justice publishes no time, and two Gov24 pages give different ones.
- Is the entry day day 1? No official rule says, for the 90-day or 15-day periods.
- What is the total limit for D-4 language study? The manual gives none.
- When should I file the D-4 to D-2 change? No window from MOJ, HiKorea or NIIED, only that it comes before your degree starts.
- Does the new Residence Card fee come on top of the change fee? MOJ does not say, and Gov24's combined figure still uses the pre-2025 card fee.
- Can I stay while an in-person application is pending? Only the online receipt says so, and only for online applications.
Ask 1345 or your immigration office.
FAQ
How long does a visa extension take in Korea?
The Ministry of Justice does not publish a processing time for extensions or changes of status, and two Gov24 pages disagree. If you apply online, you may stay past your expiry date until the decision. More
How much is the student visa extension fee in Korea?
₩60,000 under Enforcement Rule article 72, or ₩48,000 online. The Rule lists government-invited D-2 and D-4 students as exempt, but NIIED says GKS scholars pay their own D-4 renewal fee, so ask your office. More
Can I extend a D-2 visa online on HiKorea?
Yes. Extension of stay is on the Ministry of Justice's online application list, and D-2 and D-4 are not among the excluded statuses. You must be in Korea on the day you apply, and online costs ₩48,000 instead of ₩60,000. More
What documents do I need for a D-2 extension in 2026?
An application form, passport, Residence Card, the fee, proof that you are studying, proof of funds and proof of where you live, per the September 2026 MOJ manual. At a certified university with a GPA of C (2.0) or higher, proof of funds is waived, with nationality exceptions. More
How do I change from D-4 to D-2?
Apply for a change of status before your degree program starts, online on HiKorea or in person. You need a standard admission letter, and your language course grades or attendance if FIMS does not show them. It costs ₩100,000 (₩80,000 online); with a GKS certificate the change fee is waived. More
How long does it take to get a Residence Card?
MOJ's leaflet says to collect the IC card about 2 weeks after the application is accepted. That is leaflet wording, not a legal processing time. Apply in person within 90 days of your entry date. More
What happens if I stay after my visa expires?
Staying past expiry without an extension breaks Immigration Act article 25. The fine schedule for it starts at ₩500,000 for under a month and rises to ₩30,000,000, and the office can adjust it by up to half. Apply before the date on your card. More
How many days do I have to report a change of address?
15 days from moving in, under Immigration Act article 36, online or at the district or immigration office. Some pages say 14 days; the Act says 15. If your card has not been issued yet, report in person with your registration receipt. More
Do GKS scholars pay immigration fees?
Yes for the ₩35,000 Residence Card, which government scholars still pay. No for the D-4 to D-2 change fee with a GKS scholarship certificate. For D-4 extensions the Rule lists them as exempt, but NIIED says scholars renew at their own cost, so ask. More
Sources
Laws and rules
Immigration Service and HiKorea
NIIED and NHIS
Korean text of the quoted rules
Immigration Act art. 31(1)
외국인이 입국한 날부터 90일을 초과하여 대한민국에 체류하려면 … 입국한 날부터 90일 이내에 그의 체류지를 관할하는 지방출입국ㆍ외국인관서의 장에게 외국인등록을 하여야 한다.Immigration Act art. 25(1)
외국인이 체류기간을 초과하여 계속 체류하려면 … 체류기간이 끝나기 전에 법무부장관의 체류기간 연장허가를 받아야 한다.Enforcement Rule art. 72
5. 체류자격 변경 허가: 10만원. 6. 체류기간 연장 허가: 6만원. … 10. 외국인등록증 발급 및 재발급: 3만 5천원Enforcement Rule art. 74(2) item 2
2. 온라인에 의한 체류자격 변경허가 및 체류기간 연장허가 신청의 경우: 해당 수수료의 10분의 2를 감경MOJ stay manual, D-2 change of status
※ GKS 장학증서 소지자는 수수료 면제MOJ stay manual, D-2 registration
② 정부초청장학생 등 수수료 면제 대상자도 ｢출입국관리법 시행규칙｣ 제74조에 따라 외국인등록증 발급 및 재발급 수수료는 납부하여야 함MOJ stay manual, D-2 change of status
학력증명서는 유학생 국적에 관계없이 국립국제교육원 또는 대학에서 발행한 사본(원본대조필) 징구로 대체(공증 불요)e-application receipt (MOJ notice 2025-112, form 1)
심사 중 체류기간이 만료되어도 심사가 완료될 때까지는 기존 체류자격으로 체류할 수 있습니다.HiKorea extension guide
체류기간연장을 신청하려고 하는 외국인은 현재의 체류기간이 만료하기 전 4개월부터 만료 당일까지 신청하여야 합니다.HiKorea visit reservation guide
예약할 수 있는 날짜가 없는 경우에는 신고기간이 지나기 전에 관할 관서를 방문하시기 바랍니다.Seoul immigration office student FAQ
이미 출국을 한 상태라면 체류기간 잔여 여부와 관계없이 유학비자를 말소하게 되므로, 대한민국에 다시 입국하고자 할 때에는 새로운 비자를 받고 들어와야 합니다.MOJ mobile Residence Card leaflet
02. 수령 IC 외국인등록증 발급신청 접수 2주후 수령해 주세요.Last verified . StudySunbae is independent and not affiliated with GKS, NIIED or the South Korean government.