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So, you’ve decided to study in South Korea? Congratulations! Whether you dream of immersing yourself in the language and culture at a university language institute or pursuing a full degree, the vibrant student life of Seoul, Busan, or Daegu awaits.
But before you pack your ramyeon and soju (or just your textbooks), there’s one pivotal document you must obtain: the Certificate of Admission, or CoA. Navigating the Korean student visa process can feel like a Squid Game challenge, but Go! Go! Hanguk is here to help you!
This article breaks down the entire visa request process, explaining what the CoA is, why you need it, the exact procedure to get it, and what happens once you receive it.
What is the Certificate of Admission (CoA)?
In simple terms, the Certificate of Admission (CoA) is the official letter that proves you have been accepted and enrolled in an academic program at a Korean educational institution.
The CoA is not just a welcome letter; it’s an official document approved by the Ministry of Justice that verifies your student status.
For those planning to attend a Korean language course for six months or more, you will be applying for a D-4-1 student visa. This visa is typically sponsored only by Korean universities or colleges offering language courses—not private language schools. Therefore, your CoA will be issued by the university language institute, confirming the duration of your study (e.g., 6 months, 1 year).
The CoA serves as the foundation of your entire visa application, providing the necessary assurance to the Korean government that you are coming to the country for the legitimate purpose of study.
Why do you need a Certificate of Admission to study in Korea?
If your plan involves studying in Korea for more than your country’s visa-free allowance (which is typically 90 days for most nationalities), you must obtain a long-term student visa (D-4-1 for language study or D-2 for degree programs).
To apply for any of these student visas, the Certificate of Admission is an absolutely essential requirement!
The CoA officially:
- Confirms Enrollment: It proves that you have secured a spot and have paid your tuition fee for the required study period, differentiating you from tourists or short-term students.
- Authorizes Visa Application: The CoA is legally required for the overseas embassy/consulate offices to accept and process your D-4 or D-2 visa application.
How to get the Certificate of Admission for Korea as a student
The procedure to get your Certificate of Admission for Korea as a student is a multi-step journey that requires careful planning, often starting six months before your intended start date, with the final document arriving just a few weeks before your departure.
1. The application and document submission
First, you must apply to your chosen university language program. Korean language terms typically begin in March, June, September, and December. You should start the application process and secure your spot as early as possible.
Required documents usually include:
- A completed official school application form.
- Copy of your passport and recent passport photos.
- Your most recent education qualification (high school diploma or university degree) and corresponding report cards/transcripts.
- Proof of financial stability. For the D-4 visa, this often requires showing at least US$10,000 in savings, though the exact amount can vary by school.
Read our article about the D-4 visa application, and contact us for more information!
2. Tuition payment
Once the school has reviewed and approved your application and supporting documents, they will send you the tuition invoice.
Payment is the final and most important step to securing your CoA. You must pay your tuition fee straight away, often via international bank transfer, to complete the enrollment procedure. Some schools even require you to send original documents by post, before issuing the Certificate of Admission to study in Korea. Since the school cannot move forward with your visa documentation until both the tuition fee payment and all final documents are confirmed, please be sure to confirm the exact requirements and deadlines with our team.
3. The CoA issuance
After the school has confirmed the receipt of your tuition payment, they will be ready to issue the Certificate of Admission. This is usually done electronically approximately 1 to 2 months before your lessons are scheduled to start.
Applying at the Korean embassy
Once you have the CoA in hand, you will take it to your local Korean embassy or consulate to apply for the D-4 visa.
At the embassy, you will submit the CoA along with your other required documents (many of which are the same ones you used to enroll in the school, plus the visa application form).
It is strongly recommended that you submit your application as soon as you receive the CoA, as processing times at embassies vary significantly depending on how busy they are.
After the CoA along with the other visa application documents have been processed, you’ll be able to download your Visa Grant Notice from the Korea Visa portal. This may take at least 2-4 weeks, depending on the specific office.
What is the Visa Grant Notice?
The Visa Grant Notice is the Korean government’s official confirmation that your student visa (D-4 or D-2) has been approved. It is a legal document confirming your visa status, including:
- Validity Period: This is the three-month window you have to physically enter Korea.
- Period of Stay: This defines how long you are permitted to stay once you enter, which is tied directly to your course length (e.g., 6 months or 1 year).
Historically, when a visa was approved, the embassy would physically affix a visa label or sticker into a page of your passport. However, since the implementation of a label-free visa policy on July 1, 2020, the physical sticker is no longer issued. The Visa Grant Notice is a PDF document that officially replaces this physical visa sticker.
You must present this printed Visa Grant Notice, along with your passport, to the immigration officers upon arrival at the Korean airport. Do not forget to print it out—whether in color or black and white, it is your definitive proof of visa status!
Do you have any questions about living and studying in Korea, and how to obtain your D-4 student visa? Contact us today! Our service is 100% free!
