Changing From D-4 to D-2 Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
A Korean Local Explains the Process Simply
So you came to Korea on a D-4 language school visa, fell in love with the country, and now you’re ready to upgrade your life from studying Korean to studying at a real university. Good choice. But now you’re staring at immigration forms, school documents, and confusing visa rules thinking, How do I actually change my visa from D-4 to D-2?
Don’t worry. As a Korean local who guides international students all the time, here is the clearest, simplest, and least stressful way to understand the entire process.
Can You Change From D-4 to D-2 Inside Korea?
Yes. This is the good news. If you finish your language program and get accepted into a Korean university, you can apply for your visa change without leaving Korea. No flights, no embassy visits, no dramatic goodbyes to your goshiwon room.
But you must meet the basic conditions:
- Completed at least one term of a recognized Korean language program
- Received official admission from a Korean university
- Have no major immigration violations
- Have sufficient financial proof
If you have all that, you’re good to move on to the paperwork.
Step 1. Gather All the Required Documents
Documents vary by school, but the core checklist is pretty consistent.
You will need:
- Application for Visa Change
- Passport and ARC (Alien Registration Card)
- University admission letter or certificate of enrollment
- Business registration certificate of the university
- Bank balance certificate (usually 10,000,000 KRW or more)
- Tuition payment receipt or proof you can pay
- Attendance records from your language school
- Transcript from your language program
- ID photo
Tip from a Korean: Immigration hates missing documents. Bring everything, even the things you think you don’t need.
Step 2. Get Your Documents Issued by the University
Your new university will usually prepare:
- Certificate of Admission
- Business Registration Certificate
- Proof of tuition or scholarship
- Certificate of expected enrollment date
Some universities will even help you book the immigration appointment. Others will leave you to survive on your own. It depends on the school.
Step 3. Book an Appointment with Immigration
You cannot just walk in. Everything is now done through HiKorea.
1. Go to the HiKorea website
2. Select Visit Reservation
3. Choose your immigration office
4. Pick a date
If appointments are full (which happens often), check early morning — that’s when people cancel.
Step 4. Visit Immigration and Submit the Application
Bring:
- All documents
- Your ARC
- Application fee (usually around 130,000 KRW)
At the counter, immigration will:
- Check your documents
- Ask a few questions
- Take your ARC
- Give you a receipt
This receipt becomes your temporary ID until your new ARC is issued.
Step 5. Wait for Approval
This usually takes:
- 2 to 4 weeks depending on the season
During this time, you can stay in Korea legally. Just don’t leave the country unless immigration approves it.
Once approved, you pick up your new ARC or receive a notification to return to the office.
Congratulations — you are now officially a D-2 student.
Extra Tips from a Korean Local
1. Attendance matters more than you think.
Immigration takes your language school attendance very seriously. Below 70 percent often causes rejection.
2. Keep your bank balance stable.
Don’t drop below the required amount until your visa finishes processing.
3. University scholarship can replace some financial proof.
If you have a big scholarship, bring the document.
4. Always check both your language school and university requirements.
They sometimes ask for additional documents depending on your nationality.
How Long Does the D-4 to D-2 Change Take?
From start to finish:
- Gathering documents: 1–2 weeks
- Reservation: 1–3 weeks
- Review: 2–4 weeks
Total realistic timeline: 4–9 weeks
So don’t wait until your D-4 is about to expire.
Final Thought
Changing from D-4 to D-2 may feel like solving a puzzle, but once you know the steps, it’s actually very manageable. Stay organized, keep your documents clean, and show immigration you’re a model student. You’ll be starting your university life in Korea before you know it.
If you want, I can also create a checklist version, a printable PDF, or a guide by nationality.