Last reviewed: October 11, 2026 · Status: announced plans, not yet in force. We will update this page when MOJ publishes the actual rule changes.
Quick answer
On October 7, 2026, Korea’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announced a package of planned changes to student visas, the result of a public–private council that met from April to September 2026.
- Students with TOPIK level 4 or KIIP level 4 would no longer need to prove funds when applying for a D-2 visa.
- Part-time work permits would be based on Korean ability and grades, with a higher Korean bar (KIIP level 3 given as the standard).
- The D-10 job-seeker visa would last 1 to 3 years depending on Korean ability and job readiness.
- New tracks are planned: a gap-year student visa for OECD high-school graduates and an alumni multiple-entry visa.
Nothing has changed yet. Every item is a plan with a target half-year, or with no date at all. Today’s rules still apply until MOJ issues the detailed guidelines.
What “announced” means here
The attachment is titled a draft strategy. MOJ says it will start the tasks it can handle on its own from the second half of 2026. Tasks that affect other ministries, or that need a law change, will go through an inter-ministerial body in stages up to 2028.
Two parts need the Immigration Control Act amended: a new chapter on international students (target: second half of 2027) and a change to Article 18 so universities and public bodies can help students find jobs (target: first half of 2027).
Korea had 353,527 international students at the end of August 2026 (279,077 on D-2 and 74,450 on D-4 language training). The “400,000” in the headline is the scale MOJ is preparing for, not a target with a date.
All key measures and target dates
| Measure | What MOJ plans | Target in MOJ schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Financial proof waiver at visa issuance | No proof of funds for applicants with TOPIK 4 or KIIP level 4, regardless of nationality or university certification | 2nd half 2026 |
| Financial proof waiver at extension | Waiver for “diligent” enrolled students. Examples: KIIP level 4, or KIIP level 3 plus the university president’s recommendation | 2nd half 2026 |
| Study-expense deposit expansion | Students from high-scrutiny countries with no Korean ability must use the deposit system, even at certified universities | 1st half 2027 (one MOJ table says 2028) |
| Part-time work, step 1 | Criteria simplified to Korean ability and grades; Korean bar raised (KIIP level 3); tourist hotels allowed as an exception | 2nd half 2026, with a grace period |
| Part-time work, steps 2–3 | Permits based on a university-issued confirmation; pilot of permits issued before a job contract at 32 K-Star universities | 1st half 2027 / 2nd half 2027 |
| D-10 stay differentiated | 3 years in total if the Korean requirement is met; otherwise 1 year + 6 months + 6 months (2 years maximum) | 1st half 2027 |
| Gap-year student track (tentative D-2-8) | For OECD high-school graduates (within 2 years of graduating) invited by top-certified 4-year universities | 2nd half 2026 |
| Alumni multiple-entry visa (C-3-12) | Multiple-entry visit visa for graduates who returned home | 2nd half 2026 |
| Global network campus students | Short-term multiple-entry visa for students of MOJ-designated campuses such as Minerva University | Not clearly dated |
| Visa preferences stopped for sham courses | Weekend, night or online courses run mainly to support part-time jobs lose visa preferences at department level, even at certified universities | 1st half 2027 |
| Overseas study-agency registration | Pilot with the Foreign Ministry at 5 overseas missions; agency details mandatory on the standard admission letter | Pilot by 2nd half 2027; admission letter 2nd half 2026 |
| STEM graduates to E-7 | Path from D-2 to skilled E-7 for STEM graduates (examples: bachelor’s or higher, B average, KIIP level 4), limited to sectors such as manufacturing | By 1st half 2027; timing and scale to be decided with other ministries |
| Regional student visa centers | 5 regional visa and stay support centers | 2nd half 2028 |
Targets come from the schedule table in Attachment 1 and the Q&A in Attachment 2. A target half-year is MOJ’s plan, not a confirmed effective date.
Financial proof and the study-expense deposit
Today: students at universities that are not certified generally prove KRW 20 million (KRW 16 million outside the capital region), as described in MOJ’s attachment. The study-expense deposit system currently applies only to some language students from certain countries at non-certified universities.
Planned: Korean ability becomes the main shortcut. TOPIK 4 or KIIP level 4 would waive financial proof at the visa stage, and good Korean could also waive it at extension. Applicants without Korean ability from high-scrutiny countries would face the deposit system more widely. MOJ did not publish the deposit amount or the list of countries.
Part-time work permits
MOJ wants to replace today’s mix of criteria with two simple tests, Korean ability and grades, and to raise the Korean level. The press release names KIIP level 3. The Q&A says there will be a grace period, and that from 2028 students without the required Korean score would not be able to work part time. One MOJ table mentions a 2-year notice period instead of 1 year, so the exact start date still needs official confirmation.
For today’s permit rules, weekly hours and banned job types, see our D-2 and D-4 part-time work guide.
D-10 job-seeker visa: 1 to 3 years
According to MOJ’s Q&A, graduates can currently stay on D-10 for an initial year plus two extensions, up to 3 years. Under the plan, the full 3 years would be kept for graduates who meet the Korean requirement. Others would get a first year and two 6-month extensions under the points system, 2 years in total. Graduates in STEM fields and from regional universities would receive preferential treatment. The target is the first half of 2027.
Current D-10 eligibility, points and extensions are explained in our D-10 job-seeker visa guide. We will not change that guide’s figures until the new rule is issued.
New visa tracks
Gap-year student (tentative D-2-8)
A track for high-school graduates from OECD countries, within 2 years of graduation, invited by top-certified 4-year universities to explore study and careers in Korea. The final code and conditions have not been published.
Alumni multiple-entry visa (C-3-12)
A multiple-entry visit visa for international students who graduated in Korea and returned home. MOJ documents differ on the name (“Study Korea Alumni Visa” or “K-Global Alumni Visa”) and on validity (3–5 years under review in one document, 3, 5 or 10 years in the Q&A).
STEM and K-TECH Master pathways
MOJ plans a route from D-2 to skilled E-7 work visas for STEM graduates, and a “K-TECH Master” route from D-2 to F-2 residence. Eligible jobs, numbers and timing will be set with other ministries. For today’s E-7 options for graduates, see E-7 visa for international students.
Universities and study-abroad agencies
- Sham courses: departments running weekend, night or online courses mainly so students can work would lose visa preferences, even if the university holds the education internationalization certification. Required field training and graduate research classes are exceptions.
- Agencies: overseas study agencies would need to register, starting as a pilot at 5 Korean missions abroad. Agency details would become mandatory on the standard admission letter.
- Korean requirements at admission: language criteria now used for “visa screening-strengthened” universities would be extended in stages to other universities.
What to do now
- Follow today’s rules for any application, extension or part-time permit you file now.
- Invest in Korean. TOPIK 4 or KIIP levels 3–4 appear throughout the plan as the condition for easier treatment. See TOPIK vs KIIP and how to register for KIIP.
- Plan graduation early. If you expect to use D-10 after 2027, a Korean score may decide whether you get 2 or 3 years.
- Check official notices on HiKorea or ask your university’s international office before you rely on a new rule.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TOPIK 4 financial proof waiver in effect now?
No. It is scheduled for the second half of 2026, but no effective date has been published. Until MOJ updates its guidelines, prepare financial documents as usual.
Will I lose my part-time job if I don’t have KIIP level 3?
Not immediately. MOJ plans a grace period, and its Q&A says the Korean requirement would fully apply from 2028. The final level and start date still need to be confirmed.
Does the D-10 change affect people already on D-10?
MOJ has not said how existing D-10 holders would be treated. The target date is the first half of 2027. Check your extension under the rules in force at that time.
Is Korea aiming for 400,000 international students?
The announcement says Korea is preparing for an era of 400,000 students. It does not set a target or a date.
Where can I read the original announcement?
On the Ministry of Justice press release page (Korean), with the strategy and Q&A attached.
Official references
- Ministry of Justice press release, October 7, 2026 (with attachments)
- Korea Immigration Service copy of the release
- HiKorea · Immigration Contact Center 1345
Information notice: This article summarizes announced plans based on official documents checked October 11, 2026. Plans, dates and conditions may change before they take effect, and some MOJ documents give different dates for the same item. It is not individual legal advice. Your immigration office decides individual cases.