FAQ
You can go to One-Stop Service Center for all kinds of certificates, such as the Certificate of Enrollment and Academic Transcript. You can also get your document officially sealed.
If you did not submit the documents requested by the Admission Team at the time of admission, or the documents requested by the Global Service Center at the time of entry, you cannot issue the certificate until you submit it.
a) Student ID card with no financial function : Bring a passport-sized photo along with your passport or ARC and go to the One-Stop Service Center for a general student ID card.
b) Student ID card with financial function (debit card) : Bring a passport-sized photo along with your ARC and go to Hana Bank on campus for a student ID card with financial function.
Once you submit the ‘Leave of Absence’ form to your department, GSC will be notified of your leave of absence. Your student visa (D-2) will then expire within the next 14 days. Please make sure you do not exceed the given 14-day period as you may face a financial penalty by the immigration office if you do.
You must submit the ‘Reinstatement form’ to your department office. Once your return to the university is confirmed by the department office, GSC will prepare and send you a CoA (Certificate of Admission), which is one of the required documents needed for D-2 visa application.
All International students are automatically insured by National Heath Insurance Service(NHIS). However, the coverage of NHIS in case of illness or injury is not limitless, so it is highly recommended to get additional private insurance.
Since you made an international wire transfer to pay the tuition fee, when it is finally transferred to KU Hana Bank A/C, the actual amount may be less than what you intended to send due to the currency rate difference and international transaction fee. This is the reason why you are considered as ‘Didn’t pay the Mutual Health Aid Association Fee’, and keep receiving the reminder emails to submit a copy of private insurance policy.
It’s always better to pay a bit more than the total tuition fee to avoid doing double work.
Here is an example, (please ready carefully)
1) Tuition bill for Spring 2017
Tuition fee : 3,560,000 KRW
Mutual Health Aid Association Fee : 10,500 KRW
Total Amount Due : 3,570,500 KRW
2) Actual amount received : 3,530,000 KRW (Amount due : 40,500 KRW)
If this is the case, even if you have opted for the Mutual Health Aid Association fee, it is automatically considered as tuition fee only. Therefore, in the month of May, you will be asked to pay the rest of the tuition fee which comes up to 30,000 KRW. (Now the amount you should pay is 30,000 KRW, not 40,500 KRW, because Korea University does not accept the Mutual Health Aid Association fee payment after the final enrollment period.)
GSC would have sent a series of emails asking you to either submit a copy of private insurance or buy a private insurance and submit at the beginning of each semester.
The group insurance application period is from the beginning of semester to the last day of April for Spring semester, and to the last day of October for Fall semester.
So, if you click the given link after the deadline, you will automatically be charged for an individual insurance rate which is more expensive.
You can update your personal information at Portal(KUPID) → Registration&Graduation → Edit University Registration. Personal information such as phone number, e-mail and physical address can be updated.
You need take your bankbook, opened in any bank in Korea, and visit the department office to update your bank account information.
The ID and PW that have been sent to you by email is only for the use of course registration. You need to create your own ID and PW for Portal(KUPID) by clicking ‘Regist Single-ID’.
However creating ID requires a verification process via email or phone, so please update your personal information with the international admissions team before the orientation week.
Please check Career menu on our website
All current international students who study in a full-time undergraduate degree program are allowed to work part-time during the semester. Undergraduate students are allowed to work 25 hours a week during the semester.
First of all, you need to fill out a ‘Part-time Work of Foreign Student Confirmation’ form and get the employer’s signature on it. Then you need to submit a Certificate of Business Registration (of your intended workplace) along with the application form to GSC in person. If everything is right, GSC will confirm it by stamping an official seal. Then you must submit this application to the Immigration Office so that you can legally work part-time in Korea.
※ It is recommended to check the permitted working hours with GSC as the regulation of the immigration frequently changes.
GSC does not act as a part-time job agency. Moreover, the part-time jobs like private tutoring, baby-sitting and housekeeping are illegal by the immigration law.
If there is any job opening for specific nationalities and you are eligible, GSC would notify you by email individually. Also we would like to advise students to check ‘Career’ menu regularly.
You can no longer stay in Korea for more than 15 days from the date of ‘Leave of absence’ submission since your visa becomes invalid.
Yes, KUISA (Korea University Student Assistant) conducts the 1:1 course registration session in order to help all NEW international students complete their course registration successfully. It would be held during the orientation week, and the detailed notice would be put up on Announcements.
If you have found it during the Add/Drop period, you can drop the class. You can not simply drop the course after the Add/Drop period or withdraw from the course as per the University regulation. You are responsible to have a thorough check on the list of registered courses during the Add/Drop period.
First, check whether the supplementary level test is scheduled. If you have already taken the test, please wait for the result and register for the course according to your level during the Add/Drop period. If you have missed the supplementary test, you should take the test at the beginning of the semester.
If you have attended the class during the orientation session and given the attendance to the staff members of GSC, you do not need to attend again. Please send us an email with your department, student ID number, name. GSC will inform the Human rights & Gender equality center that you have already attended the session. (gsc@korea.ac.kr)
You need to fill out an application form. The detailed notice would be put up on Announcements. All undergraduate international students who are currently enrolled at Korea University can apply for the class.
Free korean language class will be held during summer and winter vacation. You need to fill out an application form. All undergraduate international students and exchange/visiting students are eligible to apply. The detailed notice would be put up on Announcements.
You can simply send an email with your name, student ID number, phone number to whynotkuisa@gmail.com
For more information about KUISA at
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/kuisarecruit
Naver cafe : http://cafe.naver.com/kuisarecruit
Currently enrolled international students may benefit from the following scholarships:
1) Academic Excellence Scholarship (covers 100% of tuition fee)
- Students who have achieved an outstanding GPA will be automatically considered for the scholarship (no application is required)
2) Academic Improvement Scholarship (covers 50% of tuition fee)
- Students with significantly improved GPA when compared the two previous semesters can apply for the scholarship.
- Students who wish to receive the scholarship must fill in the application form.
The detailed notice would be posted on Announcements and Portal(KUPID) in January for spring semester and in July for fall semester.
3) Bright Future Scholarship (covers 50% of tuition fee)
- Students who are financially disadvantaged can apply for the scholarship.
- Supporting documents such as explanatory statement, recommendation letter from professor, parents’ income/tax payment statement are required including the application form.
- The detailed notice would be posted on Announcements and Portal(KUPID) in January for spring semester and in July for fall semester.
Academic Excellence Scholarship is awarded to students who have achieved high GPA based on relative evaluation process. Academic performance of current students may vary from semester to semester which result in varying cut-off GPA every semester.
You can ask your academic advisor to write a recommendation letter for you. (Check who is your academic advisor : Portal -> Registration&Graduation -> University registration inquiries) However, if the professor is out of office or the professor does not know you well enough to write a recommendation letter, you can ask your Head of Department or other professor who might know you better.
The selection criteria depends on the number of applicants with different exchangeable languages, self-designed.
The result would be informed only to the recipients by email individually. If selected, the scholarship amount would be deducted from the tuition fee on the recipient’s tuition fee invoice.
Apply for student visa (D-2) as soon as receiving the Certificate of Admission (CoA) from International Admissions Team at Korea University. Following the immigration law in Korea, all newly admitted international students MUST obtain student visa (D-2) before the semester begins. The Certificate of Admission (CoA) can be issued only after the tuition payment (registration). For more details regarding the Certificate of Admission (CoA) issuance, visit the official website of International Admissions Team.
For general application fee for visa, click here.
International students MUST have STUDENT VISA (D-2) to study at Korea University. Also, following the immigration law in Korea, they need to apply for the visa in their home countries. It is their responsibilities to obtain the visa before the semester begins.
The application for student visa (D-2) needs a number of documents like Final Academic Credentials and Financial Statement. Such requirements may take long period to be issued, hence, it is recommended to prepare the documents in advance to acquire the visa on time.
The students must prepare the requirements written below for student visa (D-2) application, and submit the documents to the Korean embassy or consulate in their residing countries.
Required Documents
· Application form (for visa)
· Passport, and one copy of the passport ID page (the page with your photo)
· Passport sized photo (3.5cm×4.5cm with white background; must be taken within the past 6 months)
· Certificate of Admission (issued by International Admissions Team at Korea University)
· Application fee 60 ~ 90 USD
· ID card (personal ID in residing country)
· Certificate of KU Business Registration (request to KU International Admissions Team individually if needed)
· Invitation Letter from NIIED (National Institute for International Education of Korea) (if applicable)
· Certificate of Completion for Korean language training (with the attendance rate during training period stated) (if applicable)
· Tuberculosis Test Certificate (required to the students from 19 countries listed below ONLY):
- Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Laos, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
*If the applicant has never submitted after 2016. 3. 2, it is mandatory to resubmit it
· 2 Additional documents (required to the students from 21 countries listed below ONLY):
- Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
① Final Academic Credentials (choose one from the following)
· Apostille / Confirmation from Korean embassy or consulate located in the country where applicant’s
final education has finished / Documents from the ‘China Credentials Verification’ (for students who
graduated from the institutions in China
② Financial Statement - 20,000 (USD) including tuition fee (with receipt), and scholarship (if applicable)
*It is advised to contact Korean embassy or consulate in home country before applying for the visa, to
check if there is any additional document required.
Students who are already in Korea can apply for student visa (D-2) directly at Sejongno Immigration Office. In this case, they must apply for the visa and Alien Registration Card (ARC) together at once. The students must go to the immigration website (HiKorea) and make an online reservation for the visit first, before going to Sejongno Immigration Office.
However, all students are strongly asked to obtain student visa (D-2) in their home countries. Fine will be imposed if they do not get student visa (D-2) before the beginning of the semester.
The following are the requirements needed for student visa (D-2) application.
Required Documents
· Application form (downloadable at HiKorea)
· Passport, and one copy of the passport ID page (the page with your photo)
· Passport sized photo (3.5cm×4.5cm with white background; must be taken within the past 6 months)
· Certificate of Admission (issued by International Admissions Team at Korea University)
· Application fee 130,000 KRW (in cash)
· Certificate of Enrollment (will be noticed via online by International Admissions Team during the tuition payment (registration) period) *It is stated as ‘Certificate of Registration & Payment’ when printed out
· Proof of Residency
- Living on-campus: ‘Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation’ from CJ I-House office with signature,
and dormitory payment receipt
- Living off-campus: Submit the copy of rental contract
* If the contract is not under the applicant’s name, it is required to submit the copy of accommodation
provider’s ID card & ‘Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation’
· Alien Registration Card (ARC) (if applicable)
· Invitation Letter from NIIED (National Institute for International Education of Korea) (if applicable)
· Certificate of Completion for Korean language training (with the attendance rate during training period stated) (if applicable)
· Tuberculosis Test Certificate (required to the students from 19 countries listed below ONLY):
- Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Laos, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
*If the applicant has never submitted after 2016. 3. 2, it is mandatory to resubmit it
*Visit Seongbuk-gu Community Health Center (성북구보건소) for issuance (bring passport)
· 2 Additional documents (required to the students from 21 countries listed below ONLY):
- Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
① Final Academic Credentials (choose one from the following)
· Apostille / Confirmation from Korean embassy or consulate located in the country where applicant’s
final education has finished / Documents from the ‘China Credentials Verification’ (for students who
graduated from the institutions in China
② Financial Statement - 20,000 (USD) including tuition fee (with receipt), and scholarship (if applicable)
*Do not forget to scan the fingerprints before leaving the immigration office
Students who are already in Korea can apply for student visa (D-2) directly at Sejongno Immigration Office. In this case, they must apply for the visa and Alien Registration Card (ARC) together at once. The students must go to the immigration website (HiKorea) and make an online reservation for the visit first, before going to Sejongno Immigration Office.
However, all students are strongly asked to obtain student visa (D-2) in their home countries. Fine will be imposed if they do not get student visa (D-2) before the beginning of the semester.
The application for student visa (D-2) needs a number of documents like Final Academic Credentials and Financial Statement. Such requirements may take long period to be issued, hence, it is recommended to prepare the documents in advance to acquire the visa on time. Also, the issuance of visa and ARC can be delayed as the beginning of the semester approaches.
Required Documents
· Application form (downloadable at HiKorea)
· Passport, and one copy of the passport ID page (the page with your photo)
· Passport sized photo (3.5cm×4.5cm with white background; must be taken within the past 6 months)
· Certificate of Admission (issued by International Admissions Team at Korea University)
· Application fee 130,000 KRW (in cash)
· Certificate of Enrollment (will be noticed via online by International Admissions Team during the tuition payment (registration) period) *It is stated as ‘Certificate of Registration & Payment’ when printed out
· Proof of Residency
- Living on-campus: ‘Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation’ from CJ I-House office with signature,
and dormitory payment receipt
- Living off-campus: Submit the copy of rental contract
* If the contract is not under the applicant’s name, it is required to submit the copy of accommodation
provider’s ID card & ‘Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation’
· Alien Registration Card (ARC) (if applicable)
· Invitation Letter from NIIED (National Institute for International Education of Korea) (if applicable)
· Certificate of Completion for Korean language training (with the attendance rate during training period stated) (if applicable)
· Tuberculosis Test Certificate (required to the students from 19 countries listed below ONLY):
- Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Laos, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
*If the applicant has never submitted after 2016. 3. 2, it is mandatory to resubmit it
*Visit Seongbuk-gu Community Health Center (성북구보건소) for issuance (bring passport)
· 2 Additional documents (required to the students from 21 countries listed below ONLY):
- Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
① Final Academic Credentials (choose one from the following)
· Apostille / Confirmation from Korean embassy or consulate located in the country where applicant’s
final education has finished / Documents from the ‘China Credentials Verification’ (for students who
graduated from the institutions in China
② Financial Statement - 20,000 (USD) including tuition fee (with receipt), and scholarship (if applicable)
*Do not forget to scan the fingerprints before leaving the immigration office
All international students must have student visa (D-2) issued with the Certificate of Admission (CoA) given by Korea University. Therefore, transfer students cannot use the student visa (D-2) that was given while studying at other institutions. They must apply for new student visa (D-2). However, it has become impossible for the transfer students to apply for new student visa (D-2) in Korea since March, 2018. They need to make a departure and obtain new student visa (D-2) from the Korean embassy or consulate in their home countries.
Please prepare the requirements for student visa (D-2) application below, and submit them to the Korean embassy or consulate in residing country.
Required Documents:
· Application form (for visa)
· Passport, and one copy of the passport ID page (the page with your photo)
· Passport sized photo (3.5cm×4.5cm with white background; must be taken within the past 6 months)
· Certificate of Admission (issued by International Admissions Team at Korea University)
· Application fee 60 ~ 90 USD
· ID card (personal ID in residing country)
· Certificate of KU Business Registration (request to the KU International Admissions Team individually if needed)
· Invitation Letter from NIIED (National Institute for International Education of Korea) (if applicable)
· Certificate of Completion for Korean language training (with the attendance rate during training period stated) (if applicable)
· Tuberculosis Test Certificate (required to the students from 19 countries listed below ONLY):
- Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Laos, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
*If the applicant has never submitted after 2016. 3. 2, it is mandatory to resubmit it
· 2 Additional documents (required to the students from 21 countries listed below ONLY):
- Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
① Final Academic Credentials (choose one from the following)
· Apostille / Confirmation from Korean embassy or consulate located in the country where applicant’s
final education has finished / Documents from the ‘China Credentials Verification’ (for students who
graduated from the institutions in China
② Financial Statement - 20,000 (USD) including tuition fee (with receipt), and scholarship (if applicable)
* Students are advised to contact the Korean embassy or consulate in their home countries before applying for student visa (D-2), to check if there are any additional documents needed.
It has been highly recommended that the student apply for the ARC extension online or offline from 4 months before the expiry date since immigration offices becomes busy during the beginning of the semester.
However, if the expiry date is imminent or has been passed, you can visit the Sejongno immigration office after the expiry date with the required documents.
Please refer to the ARC Extension tab on the GSC website for more information.
You can bring your spouse and dependent children to Korea. For more details, please refer to the contact information below.
1) http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/main_en.pt
2) https://www.visa.go.kr/
3) Call at +82-1345 / +82-2-6908-1345-6
All international students, even with visa other than student visa (D-2) like F-type or E-type visa, must report any change in certain information of Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 14 days of the occurrence to the immigration office. Such information includes:
· Passport name, date of birth, and nationality
· Number, date of issue, and date of expiration of the passport
· Residence
Students with Alien Registration Card (ARC) must report the changes in certain personal information to Sejongno Immigration Office. It must be done within 14 days from the date of occurrence.
*If the change is not reported within the period, more than 100,000KRW of financial penalty will be charged.
Personal Information to be reported:
· Passport name, date of birth, and nationality
· Number, date of issue, and date of expiration of the passport
· Residence
Required Documents
· Passport & Alien Registration Card (ARC)
· Application form
· Additional documents that proves the change
When your Alien Registration Card (ARC) is lost, you must directly go to Sejongno Immigration Office within 14 days from the date of occurrence. Online reservation for the visit is not needed in this case. Bring application form, Certificate of Registration, and re-issuance fee (30,000KRW). In addition, you need to write and submit the statement of reason for re-issuance at the immigration office.
All KU international students with valid student visa (D-2) and Alien Registration Card (ARC) are allowed to do part-time work. However, it is mandatory to get prior permission from GSC and the immigration office to work outside the university. The students must prepare ‘Part-time Work of Foreign Student Confirmation Form’ with other supporting documents for the approval. It is considered as illegal employment to work before the immigration office’s permission.
Applicant Eligibility
1) Alien Registration Card (ARC) with student visa (D-2)
2) GPA over C (2.0) in the previous semester *on the date of application
3) Currently enrolled at KU (8 semesters or less of enrollment)
* and students taking extra semester(s) cannot apply for part-time work
· Who are the students taking extra semester(s)? (on the date of application)
- General students: have registered 9 semesters or more (Architecture department: 11semesters or more)
- Transfer students: have registered 5 semesters or more (Architecture department: 7 semesters or more)
*For further information on part-time work permission, click here
Students first need to fill in the ‘Part-Time Work of Foreign Student Confirmation’ form and get the employer’s signature on it. Then, they should bring the Certificate of Business Registration (of the workplace) along with other requirements for part-time work permission, including the confirmation form, to GSC in person. GSC will check the documents and stamp the official seal for confirmation. After all these processes, students can finally apply for the permission at Sejongno Immigration Office.
The maximum working hours may vary depend on TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level of the applicant as stated below.
1st ~ 2nd year undergraduates
With TOPIK level above 3: 25 hours during weekdays; full-time during weekends, holidays, and summer/winter vacation
Without TOPIK level above 3: 10 hours including weekdays and weekends, also during holidays and summer/winter vacation
3rd ~ 4th year undergraduates
With TOPIK level above 4: 25 hours during weekdays; full-time during weekends, holidays, and summer/winter vacation
Without TOPIK level above 4: 10 hours including weekdays and weekends, also during holidays and summer/winter vacation
*The regulations (ex. restriction on working hour) are subject to change. It is recommended to consult GSC beforehand.
*In case of starting part-time work without prior permission from GSC and the immigration office, penalty on the stay in Korea will be imposed.
Student cannot stay in Korea for more than 15 days from the date ‘leave of absence’ is officially accepted. His/her student visa (D-2) expires as his/her student status changes. If the student does not leave Korea after 15 days, he/she will be considered as an illegal alien.
If the student is planning to change his/her student visa (D-2) to other type of visa that allows working in Korea while taking leave of absence, he/she may consult with the immigration office in advance (call 1345).
The student must submit the application form for leave of absence to his/her department office in person. However, leave of absence causes the invalidation of student visa (D-2). The student should leave Korea within 15 days from the date ‘leave of absence’ is officially accepted. During the departure, he/she must return the Alien Registration Card (ARC) to the immigration officer at the airport as it is no longer valid.
In order to resume the study at Korea University, the international student must obtain new student visa (D-2) and Alien Registration Card (ARC). First, he/she needs to submit the ‘Reinstatement Form’ to affiliated department office (starting January/July). Once the reinstatement is approved by the department office, Global Services Center (GSC) will contact the student to provide the Certificate of Admission (CoA) for student visa (D-2) application. After the Certificate of Admission (CoA) is issued, he/she can apply for the visa with other requirements.
International students can apply for exchange program (outbound). For more information, click here.
Once the student is selected as an exchange student and will leave Korea to participate in the program, his/her student visa (D-2) will expire automatically. Thus, he/she must obtain new student visa (D-2) and Alien Registration Card (ARC) when returning to Korea University.
GSC will help the student with the application for new student visa (D-2) after the exchange program (outbound).
The overall general steps for new student visa (D-2) application are the following:
1. GSC will send ‘Request for CoA’ form to the student who have finished the exchange program via email, 2 months
before the beginning of the semester (Jan/Jul).
2. The student fills in the ‘Request for CoA’ form and send it back to GSC by email (gsc.korea.ac.kr).
3. The student visits the nearest Korean embassy or consulate and applies for new student visa (D-2). The student
must contact the embassy or consulate in advance, to check necessary documents needed for student visa (D-2) a
part from the Certificate of Admission (CoA).
*The CoA is valid for 90 days from the issuance date, and it can be issued only once.
Undergraduates with student visa (D-2) can apply for job seeker visa (D-10) after graduation. It is a visa for university students who have newly graduated, giving the permission to stay in Korea to look for a job after finishing the academic program. The application can be done right after graduation.
In order to change student visa (D-2) to job seeker visa (D-10), the students must go to Sejongno Immigration Office after making online reservation for the visit. The requirements are as in below:
1. Passport
2. Alien Registration Card (ARC)
3. ‘Plan for Seeking Employment’ form
4. Certificate of Graduation (Provisory Certificate of Graduation is NOT accepted)
5. Transcript
6. Application Fee 130,000 KRW
However, the required documents may vary by individual. Call 1345 (immigration call center) for details on the application process. Also, Certificate of Graduation can be issued from the day of graduation.