D-4-7 Foreign Language Trainee Visa Korea

Overview

D-4-7 is the sub-code within General Training (D-4) for foreign language training, grouped with Korean language training (D-4-1) as language-training statuses. The two are treated in the same framework, with a few D-4-7-only exceptions such as the education requirement.

This article is not an overview of D-4. It focuses on what a D-4-7 applicant needs to check: eligible institutions, education requirements, documents and stay periods.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Which institutions qualify for D-4-7 and the applicant education requirement
• Documents for the visa, the change of status and the extension of stay
• Points that apply to D-4-7 together with D-4-1: part-time work, changing schools, and visa issuance confirmation cases

Who Qualifies

• Foreign nationals abroad who want to take a foreign language course at a university-affiliated language institute
• Students enrolled in high school or below who want foreign language training (possible for D-4-7 only)
• Long-term residents registered and lawfully staying in Korea who want to change to a language-training status
• Current D-4-7 holders looking at extension, changing schools or part-time work

Required Documents

• Visa application: visa application form, passport, standard photo, fee
• Copy of the institution business registration certificate or unique-number certificate, standard admission letter (issued by the university president or dean)
• Certificate of enrolment or proof of last education (original review in principle); the education verification procedure is the same as for a D-2 visa
• Financial proof: bank balance certificate, passbook, scholarship certificate, transaction history etc. (a balance certificate is valid only if issued within 30 days; add a family relation certificate when submitting a parent balance certificate)
• Training plan (including class timetable, instructor composition and training facilities)
• Change of status: application form, passport, ARC (if held), one photo, fee, plus the institution documents, standard admission letter, financial proof, enrolment or last-education proof and training plan above (a check in the Foreign Student Information System (FIMS) replaces the standard admission letter)
• Extension: application form (Form No. 34), passport, ARC, fee, certificate of enrolment, transcript or attendance confirmation, financial proof (only deposits in your own account in Korea are accepted)
• On extension also the admission guidelines stating the training schedule, or the training plan (language trainees), and proof of residence

Application Process

1. Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
2. Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
3. Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
4. File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
5. Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
6. Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.

Key Points

• The office may request additional materials explaining the need for language training where, considering age and other factors, the need appears small. Ask the Immigration Office with jurisdiction whom this applies to.
• In extension review, an extension is restricted where studies have been suspended (leave of absence) for personal reasons or insufficient credits. If an unavoidable reason such as illness or accident is recognised, measures such as a change to the relevant status may exceptionally be taken.
• A language trainee who wants to change school must in principle leave Korea and re-enter on a visa for the new university. Changes to a university or higher are exceptionally allowed where it is unavoidable through no fault of the trainee, such as closure of the language institute, or where the trainee holds a TOPIK level 3 (KIIP) or higher result and has a legitimate reason.
• In some cases a visa is issued only on a visa issuance confirmation (for example nationals of Cuba, Syria, Macedonia and Kosovo). Language trainees staying 90 days or less are eligible for the short-term general (C-3-1) visa.
• Persons in a language-training status (D-4-1, D-4-7) become eligible for part-time work permission once six months have passed since the change date (since entry for visa holders). For language trainees (D-4) the permission is limited to six months within the stay period and one workplace, and is restricted if average attendance over all completed terms is below 90 percent.
• Documents issued in Korea must normally be dated within 3 months unless another validity period applies.
• Documents already on file in your alien registration record need not be resubmitted.
• Health certificates, drug test results and pre-employment medical reports must be submitted sealed by the issuing hospital (do not open).
• You must be in Korea when applying; leaving the country after filing may result in refusal.
• Screening fees are non-refundable once the application is accepted.
• The head of the Immigration Office may add or waive documents where necessary for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related