Studying in South Korea is very popular among international students because it has one of the most comprehensive and rigorous education systems. The literacy rate in this country is 97.3%, and 68% of the population has a bachelor’s degree. Obtaining a South Korean study permit is the most critical step for study migration. These visa requirements may vary depending on your course in South Korea. The most common of these visas is the D2 visa. The applicants must first obtain admission from a university in South Korea and go to the relevant embassy with the acceptance letter and other documents to receive a South Korean study permit, which we will discuss in the following article. Its process and documents may change constantly, so it is best to get the latest information directly from the embassy.
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How to get a student visa for South Korea at schools and high schools
The applicants can study in both South Korean public and private schools. The children’s studies take more time in South Korea than in other countries due to its education system. According to some reports, many South Korean children attend school or elementary school for 16 hours or more per day. According to a 2014 survey, almost 50 percent of high school students do not get enough sleep because they study at night. There are significant political pressures in Korea against the current conditions and austerity. Education in South Korean schools generally has several sections, which we will discuss here.
- Kindergarten
Many South Korean students start kindergarten when they are three years old, which takes three to four years before starting school. Many of these private kindergartens teach in English to prepare students for mandatory English studies in public schools. Korean kindergartens teach children reading, basic math, counting, summing, subtraction, and writing in Korean and English.
- Elementary School
It has six grades for seven to twelve. The students will learn subjects such as writing and reading Korean, mathematics, physical education, moral education, English basic sciences, arts and music, and practical arts.
- The Middle School
It has three levels, and most students enter this level at age 12 or 13 and graduate at 15 or 16. Students continue their studies much more seriously than in elementary school, and unlike high school, its curriculum is not much different from elementary school. Korean language, algebra and geometry, English, science, and social studies are its central topics.
- High school
South Korean high schools teach students for three years, and they usually graduate at 18 or 19 years old. To enter the fascinating universities of South Korea, many high school students wake up at five o’clock in the morning and leave home. After school ends at four o’clock, they go to the study room at school or a library to study instead of going home. It is called evening self-study, which is mandatory in some high schools. South Korea has both general and public high schools and special high schools. There are special high schools, high schools of science, and high schools of international language and art in South Korea. These high schools have a very high tuition fee compared to public ones. Although public high schools do not specialize in the specific field, they focus more on sending their students to top and famous universities. South Korea has several international schools for international students who want to get a South Korean study permit at high schools. Some of these schools are:
- Korea International School
- Seoul International School
- Jianjun Sun International School
- Sung San International School
Tuition for each of these schools varies, averaging about 18,000 to 35,000 dollars a year.
How to get a student visa for South Korea and postgraduate level
The master’s degree in South Korea takes two years, and its courses vary depending on the field and university. Students in this course must submit and defend their dissertation and research before obtaining their degree. The master’s program in South Korea starts in September or March, so the students must prepare the necessary documents and apply for admission and a visa in a few months. Because the culture of studying in South Korea is so competitive, a person must have a valid and first-class university degree to get a South Korean study permit and admission to universities, especially top universities. The applicants must have the following conditions to study for a master’s degree in South Korea:
- Diploma and bachelor’s degrees
- A motivation letter
- A recommendation letter from a university professor
- IELTS 6.5
How to get a student visa for South Korea and undergraduate level
South Korea has several types of multiple entries or multi-Schengen visas. The undergraduate study in South Korea takes three to four years, depending on the field. Students can study in a variety of disciplines such as:
- Medicine
- Agriculture
- Management
- Arts
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Law
The undergraduate courses are taught in English in some South Korean universities, but it is frequently in Korean. Students must meet the conditions for obtaining a South Korean study permit and admission to the undergraduate program in the country, such as:
- A 12-year diploma with a perfect grade point average
- At least an IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL
- Be familiar with the Korean language
South Korea has 31 universities in the Times Higher Education Rankings. The highest-ranking university in South Korea is Seoul National University, which ranks 64th. The school year in South Korea usually starts in September and January.
How to get a student visa for South Korea and doctoral degrees
The doctorate study takes three years in South Korea. The applicants must have a master’s degree in a specific field to study at this level. Admission at the doctoral is a little more difficult than at the undergraduate and postgraduate. The applicants must be supported by a supervisor in South Korea besides having a previous degree and a solid resume to be admitted to a doctoral program. They must also have an IELTS 7 and credible scientific papers to get a doctorate in South Korea. On the plus side, they can get a scholarship from a South Korean university for a Ph.D.
How to get a student visa for South Korea and South Korea Scholarship 2021
South Korea has excellent and prestigious universities that offer scholarships. The students can get scholarships for masters and doctoral studies. Also, the applicant must have a valid degree in one of the fields of engineering, computer, electrical, electronics, or medicine to get a South Korean scholarship for a master’s degree. These scholarships may cover all or part of the student’s expenses. The applicants must be eligible to receive a scholarship in South Korea and have a solid and high-level resume and language degree to get a scholarship given that there are many applicants for scholarships from South Korean universities. These scholarships cover the living expenses, accommodation, medical insurance, and university tuition fees in South Korea for international students.
- Korean Master Scholarships
- Seoul National University Scholarship
- Yonsei University Scholarship
- Hanyang University Scholarship
- Kung Hei University Scholarship
- Shuang University Scholarship
How to get a student visa for South Korea, tuition, and living expenses
The cost of living in South Korea for international students is a critical issue for the applicants. Tuition fees are different in each of the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels and vary depending on the field and the university. For example, tuition fees in South Korea for international students in medical courses are more expensive than humanities. The undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees in South Korea for international students range from 5,000 to 12,000 dollars per year and about 6,000 to 18,000 dollars per year for private universities. The cost of studying in South Korea for a doctoral degree is about 2,000 to 7,000 dollars a year. Besides the cost of studying in South Korea, the students must have the necessary financial assets to cover their living expenses in South Korea to complete their studies easily. The cost of living in South Korea for international students largely depends on one’s lifestyle. The Cost of living in South Korea for international students may vary from person to person, whether they rent a house in a larger city or farther away or their clothing and food expenses per month. However, the cost of living in South Korea for international students is about a thousand dollars a month.
How to get a student visa for South Korea and student work
One of the most common questions asked by people applying for a South Korean study permit and immigration to this country is whether students can work while studying. Elementary, middle, and high school students cannot work, even part-time. Therefore, only the high school graduates, undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral program students in South Korea can work. International students cannot work part-time even after obtaining a South Korean student visa and entering this country in the first six months. However, they will not have any restrictions to work part-time after this period. Undergraduate and language teaching students can work 20 hours a week, but postgraduate and doctoral students can work for up to 30 hours a week part-time. The South Korean students can work in translation and interpretation work, restaurant assistant, salesman, waitress, tour guide assistant, store sales assistant, etc. according to the South Korean government.
How to get a student visa for South Korea and companion visa
One of the most critical issues for people applying for a South Korean student visa, especially for married people, is to obtain a companion visa for their family. The good news is that in South Korea, as in many countries, students with a South Korean student visa can apply for a companion visa. The companion here means the spouse of the person and one’s children below 20. The required documents for the student visa in South Korea for an F-3 accompanying visa that the applicant must provide to the relevant embassy are as follows:
- Companion visa application form
- Photos of companions
- Passport of companions
- Payment of visa fee
- Financial viability
Required documents for the student visa in South Korea
Having a university admission letter is not enough to immigrate to South Korea by study. The applicants must apply for a South Korean student visa after receiving admission from the relevant university. They must prepare the necessary documents and submit them to the relevant embassy at the appointed time to get this visa. It is best to seek the help of an experienced lawyer because any defects in the documents can lead to the rejection of the visa. Required documents for the student visa in South Korea include:
- Original and copy of identity documents
- Original and copy of diplomas
- A valid passport
- Passport photo
- Visa application form
- Visa payment receipt
- Acceptance letter from the university
- Proof of financial viability
- Travel insurance
- Marriage certificate, identity card, etc. to prove the central person’s relationship with the spouse
How to get a student visa for South Korea and employment after graduation
We will discuss how international students can find a job in South Korea if they get a student visa and complete their studies in South Korea in this part of the article. The applicants have a pretty good employment opportunity given that South Korea’s unemployment rate is currently so low and its economy is growing steadily. The job market in South Korea is also competitive, and international students must compete with South Korean citizens. The international students will have a pretty good chance of finding a job in South Korea if they obtain a degree from a reputable university in Korea and be fluent in the Korean language.
How to get a student visa for South Korea, residence, and citizenship after graduation
The applicants cannot obtain permanent residence and citizenship just by studying in South Korea, as in other countries. Therefore, they can only receive temporary residency in South Korea by receiving a South Korean study permit. The students can find a job after completing their studies in this country and apply for permanent residency after working for three years. After five years of permanent residence, they can apply for citizenship. Citizenship has its conditions, such as mastery of the Korean language, familiarity with the culture of this country, etc.
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