Question
How do I extend my D-2 student visa in Korea?
As of · sources retrieved from official Korean authorities
Apply for a stay‑period extension at your local immigration office before your current D‑2 visa expires, submitting the required form, passport, alien registration card, proof of residence and enrollment; the extension fee is paid at the office and approval updates your Alien Registration Card. Full details below.
The rule this rests on
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Visa Issuance Certificate, etc.) | (1) | Any visa issuance certificate issued as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed that issued under this Act. | | (2) | Any person who has reported a change of a place of work under the previous provisions of Article 29 as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed to have obtained permission to change or add a place of work under this Act. |
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Applications for Naturalization, etc.) With regard to a person who has applied for naturalization, reinstatement of nationality, or renunciation of nationality under the former provisions before this Act enters into force, the former provisions shall govern.
- When to apply: submit the extension request before the expiration date of your current stay period.
- Where to apply: the local immigration office or foreigner‑management office that issued your original stay permission.
- Required documents:
- Application form for stay‑period extension
- Passport and Alien Registration Card
- Proof of residence (e.g., lease)
- Certificate of enrollment or researcher certificate issued after entry
- Fee (amount varies by office)
- Procedure:
- Gather the documents listed above.
- Submit them in person (or via online portal if available) at the immigration office before your D‑2 expiry.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Upon approval, your Alien Registration Card will be updated with the new expiry date, allowing you to continue studying and, if eligible, work under part‑time rules.
- Consequences of not extending: staying past the expiry without extension makes you an illegal resident, risking fines, deportation, and future entry bans.
- Hotlines for help:
- Immigration inquiries: 1345
- Legal aid for foreigners: 132
- Labor issues (e.g., unauthorized work): 1350
- Foreign student counseling: 1577‑0071.
Sources fetched 2026-09-19 · Korean laws change — verify with the issuing authority before acting.