Study in South Korea from Nepal: D-2, D-4 Visa and Work Rules

To study in South Korea from Nepal you need an admission letter and a student visa from the Korean Embassy: a D-2 visa for degree study (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) or a D-4 visa for Korean language training at a university language institute. You must prove you can pay your costs, register as a foreigner within 90 days of arriving, and get permission from immigration before taking any part-time job; how many hours you may work depends on your course, your TOPIK level and your university.

Last checked: 20 October 2026. Amounts are in Korean won where given; we have not converted them to rupees because we did not have an official NRB won rate for this date.

Study in South Korea from Nepal: key facts

D-2 or D-4: which visa do you need?

The Korean government’s Study in Korea visa page explains the two student routes:

• D-2 (study) is for students joining regular courses at institutions that offer associate degrees or higher. It has sub-types: associate (D-2-1), bachelor’s (D-2-2), master’s (D-2-3), doctoral (D-2-4), research (D-2-5) and exchange students (D-2-6).
• D-4 (general training) is for training or research at institutions that do not qualify under D-2. For most Nepali students, this means Korean language study at a university-affiliated language institute (D-4-1).

A common path is to start on D-4 for Korean language, then move into a degree. If you plan to do this, check with the university whether you can change status inside Korea or must apply again, because Study in Korea says a change of status must be applied for before you start the new activity.

Documents for a Korean student visa

Study in Korea lists these documents for a D-2 application:

• Passport copy and one recent photo
• The institution’s business registration or registration number certificate
• Standard admission letter
• Proof of your highest education
• Proof of financial ability
• Family relationship documents, if you submit your parents’ bank statements
• Tuberculosis test result, if applicable

For D-4 the list is similar: passport copy, photo, institution registration certificate, standard admission letter, certificate of enrolment or proof of highest education, proof of financial ability, and a training plan.

Study in Korea adds that extra documents may be required depending on the programme and your country, and tells applicants to check with the Korean mission in their own country. For Nepali applicants that is the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kathmandu. Get its current checklist before you submit, because embassy checklists can ask for more than the national list.

Financial proof: what to prepare

Both D-2 and D-4 require “proof of financial ability”. The national Study in Korea pages we checked do not publish a fixed amount, and we could not confirm a current figure from the Korean Embassy in Nepal. So we are not quoting a number here. Treat any figure you hear second-hand as unconfirmed until you see it on the Embassy’s own checklist or your university’s admission pack.

What we can say from the official list: if your parents are sponsoring you with their bank statements, you also need family relationship documents to show the link. Prepare the same clean evidence that other countries ask for: a bank statement in the account holder’s name, a clear source of income, and an explanation for any large deposits. See our sponsor documents guide and bank balance guide.

Step by step: from admission to arrival

1. Choose your route: a degree (D-2) or a Korean language programme (D-4).
2. Apply to the university or its language institute and receive a standard admission letter.
3. Collect your documents, including education certificates, financial proof and, if needed, a TB test result.
4. Apply at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu, following its current checklist.
5. Fly to Korea. Foreigners aged 17 or older give fingerprints and a face scan at immigration.
6. Register as a foreigner at your local immigration office within 90 days of arrival.
7. Report any change of address within 15 days of moving. Study in Korea says failing to report can mean a fine of up to 1,000,000 won.

How long you can stay

A D-2 visa is issued for up to 2 years at a time, with extensions as you progress. Study in Korea gives these overall limits: associate degree up to 3 years after admission (4 years for 3-year programmes), bachelor’s up to 6 years, master’s up to 5 years and doctorate up to 8 years. Apply for an extension before your current stay expires.

Part-time work rules

A student visa does not let you work automatically. Study in Korea’s employment rules for international students say D-2 and D-4 students must reach a set Korean level and get part-time work permission from the local immigration office before working. The key points:

• Language trainees (D-4-1, D-4-7) become eligible only 6 months after entry or status change, and need TOPIK 2 or an equivalent level.
• Associate and bachelor’s years 1–2 need TOPIK 3 or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s years 3–4, master’s and PhD need TOPIK 4 or equivalent.
• Equivalents include the Korea Immigration and Integration Programme (KIIP) levels and King Sejong Institute courses.
• Weekly hours depend on your programme, your Korean level and whether your university is accredited or your grades are excellent. As one example, Study in Korea says a bachelor’s student in years 3–4 with TOPIK 4 may work 25 hours a week during the semester.
• Students who fail to graduate within the standard period and are on an exceptional stay permit are excluded.

The official page also lists simple jobs that are typical for students, such as restaurant help, general office work, tourism guide assistance and duty-free shop sales help. Because the hour tables are detailed and change, confirm your exact limit with your university’s international office before you accept a job. Working without permission puts your visa at risk.

TOPIK: why your Korean level matters

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean language test. Study in Korea describes two tests, TOPIK I (listening and reading) and TOPIK II (listening, reading and writing), offered on paper and online, plus a speaking test. Scores are valid for 2 years from the result announcement. Universities use TOPIK for admission to Korean-taught programmes and for graduation; immigration uses it for work permission. Check registration and test dates on the official TOPIK site.

After graduation: D-10 job seeking

Graduates can look for work on a D-10 job-seeking status. Study in Korea says D-10-1 applicants normally show funds of about 5,400,000 won (900,000 won a month for 6 months), but students changing from D-2 to D-10 for the first time are exempt from this funds requirement.

Nepal-specific tips

• Student visa, not EPS. Many Nepalis know Korea through the Employment Permit System for workers. That is a separate route. A D-2 or D-4 visa is for study, and work is a limited extra.
• Start Korean early. Work permission and many degree programmes depend on TOPIK. A D-4 student cannot work for the first 6 months anyway.
• Check who you are paying. Use our consultancy registration check before paying anyone to process a Korea file.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Planning to pay rent from part-time work in the first 6 months of a language course.
• Starting a job before immigration permission is granted.
• Missing the 90-day alien registration or the 15-day address report.
• Relying on a second-hand “bank balance” figure instead of the Embassy’s current checklist.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between D-2 and D-4 visas in Korea?
D-2 is for degree study at an institution offering associate degrees or higher. D-4 is for training, most often Korean language courses at a university language institute.

Can D-4 students work part-time in Korea?
Only after 6 months from entry or status change, with TOPIK 2 or an equivalent, and only after getting permission from the immigration office.

How much bank balance is needed for a Korean student visa from Nepal?
Proof of financial ability is required for both D-2 and D-4, but we could not confirm a current official amount. Use the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu’s checklist.

Is TOPIK required for a Korean student visa?
Not always for the visa itself; requirements vary by university and programme. But TOPIK or an equivalent level is needed for part-time work permission and many Korean-taught degrees.

How long is TOPIK valid?
Two years from the date results are announced.

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Sources

• Student visa and stay status – Study in Korea
• Employment system for international students – Study in Korea
• Residence and stay information – Study in Korea
• Immigration procedures – Study in Korea
• Language requirements and TOPIK – Study in Korea
• TOPIK official website

Last checked 20 October 2026. This is general information, not immigration or financial advice. Check the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu and your university before you apply.