Korea D-4 General Training Visa: Complete Guide 2026 — Language Schools, Part-Time Work & D-2 Transition
The D-4 (General Training) visa is issued to foreign nationals coming to Korea for language study or vocational training — not for earning an academic degree. It is the standard visa for those enrolled in Korean language programs at university language institutes or private language schools, as well as for those in vocational training programs.
Unlike D-2, D-4 is for non-degree training. It is often the first step for people planning to later enroll in a Korean university (D-2) or transition to employment (E-7).
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is the D-4 Visa?
- 2. Eligibility Requirements
- 3. Approved Institution Types
- 4. Financial Proof Requirements
- 5. Required Documents and Application Procedure
- 6. Stay Period and Extension
- 7. Part-Time Work Permission
- 8. Transitioning from D-4 to D-2, E-7, or F-2
- 9. D-4 vs D-2 Comparison
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions
- 11. Consultation
1. What Is the D-4 Visa? {#section-1}
D-4 is the "General Training" status under Korea's Immigration Act. It is issued to foreign nationals who enroll in training or educational programs at MOJ-recognized institutions — without pursuing a formal academic degree.
Key features:
- Purpose: language study or vocational training, not degree completion
- Used for language institutes, vocational training schools, and institutional training programs
- Limited part-time work allowed under certain conditions
- Can be converted to D-2 (student) or E-7 (work) after completing training
2. Eligibility Requirements {#section-2}
Core Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance at recognized institution | Must have admission letter from a D-4-eligible institution recognized by the MOJ |
| Financial capacity | Sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses during stay |
| No disqualifying history | No criminal record, no immigration violations |
| Genuine training intent | Demonstrable intent and ability to complete the training program |
Who Typically Uses D-4
- Foreign nationals enrolled in Korean language programs at university-affiliated or private language schools
- Those attending vocational schools (culinary, beauty, etc.) in Korea
- Employees dispatched for training at Korean companies or public institutions
3. Approved Institution Types {#section-3}
To receive D-4 status, enrollment must be at an MOJ-recognized institution.
Main Institution Categories
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| University-affiliated Korean language institutes | Language centers at Seoul National University, Yonsei, Korea University, etc. |
| Private Korean language schools | MOJ-registered private language academies |
| Vocational training institutions | Institutions designated by the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training |
| Corporate/public institutional training | Invited training programs (D-4-6) |
Important: Not every language school or training facility is eligible to sponsor D-4 visas. Always confirm that the institution is MOJ-recognized before enrolling.
4. Financial Proof Requirements {#section-4}
Financial capacity is a key factor in D-4 visa review.
General Standard
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Bank balance | Typically USD 5,000–10,000 equivalent or more (varies by country and consulate) |
| Accepted documents | Bank balance certificate (showing funds maintained for 3+ months) |
| Sponsor acceptable | Parent or legal guardian's bank statement + sponsorship confirmation |
Standards vary by consulate — verify requirements at your local Korean consulate before applying.
5. Required Documents and Application Procedure {#section-5}
Required Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | Korean consulate format |
| Passport | Valid 6+ months |
| Passport-size photo | 3.5×4.5 cm |
| Admission letter | Issued by the Korean training institution |
| Tuition payment receipt | Or tuition payment confirmation |
| Financial proof | Bank balance certificate (USD 5,000+ recommended) |
| Academic certificate | Graduation certificate + translation and notarization |
| Criminal background check | Required by some nationalities |
Application Procedure
- Enroll at a Korean institution and obtain admission letter
- Apply for D-4 visa at Korean embassy or consulate in your country
- Enter Korea after visa issuance
- Register as foreign resident within 90 days of entry
- Complete the training program
6. Stay Period and Extension {#section-6}
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial stay period | Typically 6 months to 1 year (depends on program length) |
| Extension | Available with continued enrollment (commonly up to 2 years total) |
| Changing institutions | Requires notification to immigration office |
Many D-4 holders use the period to prepare for university admission (D-2) or job-seeking in Korea.
7. Part-Time Work Permission {#section-7}
D-4 restricts employment by default, but limited part-time work is available after meeting conditions.
Part-Time Work Conditions
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum 6 months of D-4 stay | Application for part-time work permit available after 6 months |
| Maximum hours | Up to 20 hours per week |
| Permitted sectors | Simple service work (professional employment not allowed) |
| How to apply | Submit part-time work permit application at immigration office |
Working without a permit is a visa violation and can result in deportation.
8. Transitioning from D-4 to D-2, E-7, or F-2 {#section-8}
D-4 can be a launching pad for longer-term stay in Korea.
Main Transition Pathways
| Target Status | Conditions |
|---|---|
| D-2 Study | Accepted into a regular degree program at a Korean university while on D-4 → apply for D-2 conversion |
| E-7 Special Occupations | Receive a job offer from a Korean company while on D-4 → apply for E-7 (must be in an approved job category) |
| F-2-7 Points-Based Residency | D-4 lawful stay time may count toward some F-2-7 scoring criteria; transition typically requires first converting to D-2 or E-7 to accumulate full points |
The most common path: D-4 language study → improve Korean to TOPIK level → enter Korean university (D-2) → graduate → D-10 job search → E-7 employment.
See the D-2 Student Visa Guide for details on the university path.
9. D-4 vs D-2 Comparison {#section-9}
| D-4 General Training | D-2 Study | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Language study or vocational training | Academic degree completion |
| Institution | Language institutes, training schools | Universities and graduate schools |
| Degree available | No | Yes |
| Part-time work | Up to 20 hrs/week after 6 months | Permitted under conditions |
| Duration | Typically 1–2 years | Duration of degree program |
| Next step | Convert to D-2, E-7, etc. | Convert to D-10, E-7 |
10. Frequently Asked Questions {#section-10}
Q. I don't know any Korean. Can I still come on D-4 and study at a language school? A. Yes. There is no Korean language requirement for D-4. Most people who come on D-4 are starting from zero Korean. Language courses begin at the beginner level.
Q. Can I work part-time at a convenience store while on D-4? A. After 6 months of D-4 stay, you can apply for a part-time work permit and work up to 20 hours per week. Working without this permit is a visa violation.
Q. Does my D-4 stay count toward F-2-7 scoring? A. D-4 time may partially contribute to some categories, but it's difficult to reach 80 points on D-4 alone. The typical path is D-4 → D-2 or E-7 → accumulate points → F-2-7.
Q. If I switch to a different language school, will my visa be affected? A. Transferring to another MOJ-recognized D-4 institution is permitted, but you must notify the immigration office. Completely withdrawing from all training programs while in Korea means you no longer have a D-4 purpose of stay, which will affect your status.
Q. I got accepted to a Korean university while on D-4. Can I switch to D-2? A. Yes. If you receive an admission letter for a degree program from a Korean university while on D-4, you can apply for a D-2 status change at the immigration office.
11. Consultation {#section-11}
D-4 visa planning involves choosing an eligible institution, preparing financial documentation, managing the part-time work allowance, and planning your transition to D-2 or E-7. Those who plan to study Korean and then pursue employment or higher education in Korea benefit most from clear long-term planning from the start.
Vision Administrative Office provides D-4 visa application support, status change consultation, and E-7/D-2 transition strategy.
Free consultation: 02-363-2251
Related guides: