General trainee(D-4)
| Scope of Activities and Eligible Qualifications | Persons who intend to receive education or training, or engage in research activities at educational institutions, companies, or organizations other than educational institutions or academic research institutions eligible under the student (D-2) visa category. |
| Maximum Stay Period That Can Be Granted at One Time | 2 years |
| Activities Outside of Stay Status | As a principle, activities outside of the designated stay status are restricted (verification required).
1. Refer to “Permission for Activities Outside Stay Status for Student (D-2) Visa Holders” 2. Conversational teaching (E-2) activities outside stay status by holders of General Training (D-4-1) visa ※ Holders of Language Training (D-4-1) visa may engage in activities outside stay status if 6 months have passed since obtaining the Language Training (D-4-1) visa. |
| Change or Addition of Workplace | Not applicable
※ For holders of cultural and artistic (D-1), student (D-2), or general training (D-4) visas for non-profit purposes, changes to their affiliated institution or organization (including name changes), and for holders of coverage (D-5), religious (D-6), resident (D-7), corporate investment (D-8), or trade management (D-9) visas, if the name of their affiliated institution or organization changes, the change must be reported and processed according to Article 35 of the Immigration Control Act (Enforcement Rule Article 49-2). |
| Granting of Stay Status | Not applicable
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| Permission for Change of Stay Status | 1. Permission for Change of Stay Status from Language Training (Korean Language Training: D-4-1, Foreign Language Training: D-4-7)
A. Basic Principles * Change of status is allowed for long-term residents legally staying in Korea after alien registration. * Change of status is generally restricted for short-term stay visa holders (B, C series). * However, among registered foreigners, those holding technical training (D-3), non-professional employment (E-9), seafarer employment (E-10), humanitarian stay permit (G-1-6) visas are exceptions; other G-1 visa holders are restricted from status change. ※ Only those with a high school diploma or above can obtain permission for change to language training status. (However, foreign language training (D-4-7) status can be granted to current students below high school level.) ※ Proof of educational background follows the same procedure as for applying for a student (D-2) visa. B. Required Documents Common Documents 1. Application form, passport, alien registration card (if applicable), one photo, fee 2. Copy of the educational institution’s business registration certificate or unique number certificate 3. Standard admission letter (issued by university president or dean) * Submission may be replaced by verification via the Foreign Student Information System (FIMS) * For students invited by the National Institute for International Education, replaced with an invitation letter 4. Proof of financial capability * When submitting a parent's bank balance certificate, also submit family relation certificate 5. Certificate of enrollment or proof of final educational attainment 6. Training plan (including lecture timetable, instructor list, and training facilities) Note : For nationals of countries designated by the Minister of Justice, additional evidence may be requested if the necessity for language training is deemed low considering age, etc. 2. Change to General Training (D-4-2) Status for Graduates A. Eligibility * Graduates of domestic universities (including junior colleges) who are recognized as needing training at one of the following institutions : ‣ Domestic parent companies or foreign branches of Korean-invested companies located overseas ‣ Domestic headquarters, branches, or affiliates of foreign companies located overseas ‣ United Nations organizations, intergovernmental international organizations, foreign missions in Korea (including chambers of commerce) B. Training Locations * Domestic parent companies or foreign branches of Korean-invested companies overseas * Domestic headquarters, branches, or affiliates of foreign companies overseas * International organizations, foreign missions in Korea, foreign cultural centers in Korea, foreign chambers of commerce in Korea C. Required Documents 1. Application form, passport, alien registration card, one photo, fee 2. Proof of necessity for training (employment confirmation letter, training plan, etc.) 3. Proof documents for foreign-invested companies or foreign-invested domestic companies 3. Change of Status for Foreign Students Below High School Level (D-4-3) A. Eligibility * Foreign students legally registered and residing long-term in Korea who have been admitted to the following educational institutions as self-funded students * Short-term visa holders and G-1 visa holders are excluded B. Educational Institutions * Elementary, middle, and high schools (excluding public citizen schools, high public citizen schools, broadcasting and communication middle/high schools, and technical high schools) * Foreign schools and alternative schools (annual tuition over 5 million KRW, approval from superintendent of education required) * Foreign educational institutions located in free economic zones or Jeju international free city * Science gifted schools (affiliated with KAIST) ※ Compulsory education institutions (free education institutions) are excluded C. Requirements * Full self-payment of tuition (including tuition, dormitory fees, entrance fees) * Ability to cover living expenses in Korea * A guardian is required (a national or registered foreigner with proof of relationship or familiarity with parents) * Guardians of students from countries with high illegal stay rates (21 countries) must have income above GNI or assets above median income * One guardian can sponsor up to two students only * Students living in high school dormitories are exempt from guardian requirement (principal’s dormitory admission confirmation required) D. Required Documents Common 1. Application form (Form 34), passport, alien registration card, one photo, fee 2. Copy of the educational institution’s business registration or unique number certificate 3. Admission letter (issued by school principal) and certificate of enrollment (if applicable) 4. Proof of final educational attainment Additional for Self-Funded Students 5. Tuition payment receipe 6. Proof of ability to cover living expenses (bank balance for over 3 months, etc.) 7. Guardian guarantee letter (even if the parent is guardian, the letter is needed) 8. Proof of relationship with guardian 9. Proof of guardian’s financial ability (only for students from countries with high illegal stay rates) 10. Proof of family relationship (only for students from countries with high illegal stay rates; attach translation and verification) 11. Proof of residence 4. Foreign Trainees at Excellent Private Educational Institutions (D-4-6) A. Eligible Persons * Registered foreigners legally staying in Korea * Excludes holders of B-2, C-3, D-3, E-9, E-10, and G-1 visas B. Requirements for Training Institutions (must satisfy all ①–⑥) 1. Professional technical education institutions affiliated with listed companies in Korea, vocational academies, specialized colleges (some arts majors), branches of famous overseas specialized education institutions, etc. 2. Established for over one year 3. Annual tuition over 8 million KRW 4. Limited to vocational technical fields (excluding management, office work, tourism, cleaning, etc.) 5. Operate daytime courses at least 4 days per week and 15 hours per week 6. Have dormitories and own training facilities (leased facilities not recognized unless long-term lease) C. Trainee Requirements * Age 18 to 30 * High school graduate or above * Proof of ability to cover living expenses (bank balance certificate, apostille or consular confirmation required) * Korean language ability: TOPIK Level 1 or higher, or Sejong Institute Beginner Level 1 or higher D. Quotas and Sanctions per Training Institution * Up to 300 trainees per institution in total * Invitation quotas reduced if illegal stay occurs * Report cases of no-show, non-registration, non-departure, or missing status within 15 days * New invitations restricted for one year if illegal stay rate exceeds the following based on number invited : ‣ 15 or fewer: 30% ‣ 16–50: 20% ‣ Over 51: 15% E. Required Documents * Application form (Form 34) * Copy of passport, one photo * Proof of final education (notarized) and admission letter * Proof of financial capability * Receipt of tuition payment * Proof of Korean language ability 5. Change of Status for German Nationals with Visa Waiver (B-1) to Long-Term Stay Status A. Eligible Statuses * All long-term stay statuses except technical training (D-3), non-professional employment (E-9), and tourism employment (H-1) B. Permission Period * The maximum stay period allowed per status applies |
| Permission to Extend Stay Period | 1. Extension of Stay Period for Language Trainees (D-4-1, D-4-7)
A. Basic Principles * Leave of absence for personal reasons not recognized * Those who interrupt studies (take leave) due to personal reasons or insufficient credits face restrictions on extending their stay period. * Exceptionally, if unavoidable reasons such as illness or accidents are recognized, change of status or other measures may be taken. * Changing language training school * Principle: Must leave the country and re-enter with a visa issued for the new university. * Exception: Change to a university-level or above school is allowed if : ‣ Change is unavoidable due to reasons beyond trainee’s fault, such as language institute closure. ‣ The applicant holds a TOPIK Level 3 (including KIIP) certificate and has justifiable reasons. * Encouragement of online or designated student officer application (to reduce congestion) * Target : Students enrolled in accredited universities or those not required to appear in person * Examples of application methods : * Online application: by the student or a designated officer (up to 10 students can be applied for at once by one officer) * In-person application: by the student or designated officer B. Required Documents 1. Application form (Form 34), passport, alien registration card, fee 2. Proof of enrollment (certificate of enrollment, exchange student extension certificate, research student certificate, etc.) 3. Proof of normal academic progress (transcript, attendance confirmation, etc.) 4. Proof of financial capability (only domestic personal bank accounts recognized) 5. Recruitment guidelines (indicating training schedule) or training plan (limited to language trainees) 6. Proof of residence (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, notice of expiration mail, utility bill receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc.) 2. Extension Submission Documents for Foreign Students in Education Institutions Below High School Level (D-4-3) 1. Application form (Form 34), passport, alien registration card, fee 2. Certificate of enrollment 3. Tuition payment statement (including tuition, dormitory fee, entrance fee, and all related study costs) 4. Proof of ability to cover living expenses in Korea * Bank balance certificate or transaction history showing funds held continuously for over 3 months at a specified minimum amount 5. Guardian guarantee letter, proof of relationship, and proof of financial capability (if guardian changes) * For those exempt from guardian requirement, submit ‘dormitory admission confirmation’ from school principal 6. Proof of residence (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, notice of expiration mail, utility bill receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc.) 3. Extension Submission Documents for Korean Cuisine Training Trainees (D-4-5) 1. Application form (Form 34), passport, alien registration card, fee 2. Copy of business registration certificate (or unique number certificate), corporate registration certificate (if applicable) 3. Proof of payment of training fees (if additional payment made) * If training institution covers training or living expenses, a confirmation of expense coverage can replace this 4. Documents proving continued necessity of training (reason for extension, training schedule, etc.) 5. Recommendation letter from training institution head (including training performance and attendance) 6. Proof of Korean language ability (only for those applying for exemption from basic Korean proficiency proof) 7. Health check certificate (only for those submitting confirmation of planned treatment) 8. Proof of residence (lease contract, accommodation confirmation, notice of expiration mail, utility bill receipts, dormitory fee receipts, etc.) 4. Extension Submission Documents for Trainees at Excellent Private Educational Institutions (D-4-6) 1. Application form (Form 34), passport, alien registration card, fee 2. Documents from training institution: * Attendance certificate (previous semester attendance records, class hours, attendance rate) * Technical training plan (timetable, training schedule) * Dormitory admission confirmation (if applicable) * Other documents proving normal training progress 3. Documents from applicant: * Proof of living expenses: bank-issued balance certificate + transaction history for the last 6 months * Proof of tuition payment: showing course period, fee, payment date * Proof of enrollment/training: indicating admission date, major, etc. 4. Training plan (for those with stay period exceeding 1 year) ※ The general training period is in principle up to 1 year from the date of entry. |
| Re-entry Permit | 1. Implementation of the Re-entry Permit Exemption System (Effective from December 1, 2010, as per amended enforcement rules)
* Registered foreigners are exempt from re-entry permit requirements if they plan to re-enter Korea within 1 year from the date of departure. * If the remaining period of stay is less than 1 year, the exemption is valid within the remaining stay period. ※ However, international students who are subject to entry restrictions or other conditions must obtain a re-entry permit from the local immigration office (or branch office) that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. 2. Multiple Re-entry Permit (*Not permitted for nationals of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Libya, with exceptions for those holding F-6 (Marriage to Korean), D-2 (Study), or D-4 (General Training) visas*) * Applicable when re-entry is planned within 2 years of departure, exceeding 1 year but within the permitted stay period. * Required documents : * Application form (Form No. 34) * Original passport * Alien registration card * Application fee |
| Foreigner Registration | 1. Documents Required for Foreigner Registration
① Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-size photo, fee ② Certificate of enrollment ③ Documents proving residence 2. Foreigner Registration for Korean Cuisine Training Participants ① Application form (Form No. 34), original passport, one standard-size photo, fee ② Copy of the training institution’s business registration certificate (or unique number certificate) ③ Health checkup certificate issued by a hospital designated by the Ministry of Justice 3. Documents Required for Foreign Students in High School or Below (D-4-3) ① Application form (Form No. 34), passport, one photo (taken within the last 6 months, ID size), fee Government-invited or national scholarship students must also pay the registration and reissuance fees for the foreigner registration card in accordance with Article 74 of the Enforcement Rules. ② Certificate of enrollment For those who wish to apply for foreigner registration before school admission (for purposes such as opening a bank account or renting accommodation), a tuition payment statement with the school principal’s official seal may be submitted instead. ③ Scholarship verification documents (if applicable, official document from the institution/organization) ④ Documents proving residence 4. Reporting Changes in Foreigner Registration Information * Reportable Items : Name, gender, date of birth and nationality, passport number/date of issue/expiration date * Persons Required to Report : Those whose affiliated institution or organization has changed (including name changes) or been added (as of Nov. 16, 2010) * Reporting Deadline : Within 15 days of the change * Required Documents : ① Foreigner registration change report form, passport and foreigner registration card (no fee required) ② Certificate of enrollment and certificate of withdrawal from the previous school (in case of school transfer) 5. Reporting Change of Residence for Foreign Students * Must report to the head of the city/county/district office or the head of the competent Immigration Office/Branch Office within 15 days of moving in. * Required Documents : Residence change report form, passport, and foreigner registration card |
| Others | 1. On-site Training for Students in Excellent Private Educational Institutions
* Eligibility for Trainees : Students who have stayed in Korea for more than 6 months, hold Korean language proficiency at TOPIK Level 2 or above (including completion of Sejong Korean Level 2 or the Social Integration Program Level 2 or higher), have an attendance rate of 90% or more, and are recommended by the head of the educational institution. * Training Fields : Limited to fields directly related to the training course. * Training Institutions : Up to 10 institutions per educational institution (the educational institution manages the list separately). * Must be institutions that have signed an on-site training agreement with the educational institution (stipulating industry, hours, conditions, etc.) and employ at least 5 Korean nationals (including workplaces). * Must be located within 50 km of the educational institution and be able to contribute to skill enhancement through the training. * Restricted Training Institutions : Institutions that have received penalties of fines or higher for violations of the Labor Standards Act or the Industrial Safety and Health Act in the past 5 years. * Obligations of Training Institutions : Must appoint an on-site training supervisor (mentor) for career guidance, and conduct training on labor rights, industrial safety and health, sexual harassment prevention, etc. to prevent human rights violations. ※ On-site Training Supervisor : Must have at least 3 years of experience in the field and hold a mid-level or higher qualification certificate. * Training Hours : Up to 28 hours per week, including weekends. On-site training activities after 9:00 p.m. are strictly prohibited. * Restrictions on Training Activities : Even if activities are skill-enhancing, the following are prohibited: * Simple production work in manufacturing and construction work. * External activities such as delivery or dispatch that are outside the control of the training institution. * Required Documents : * Educational Institution : Standard on-site training agreement (including MOU with the training institution, requirements, allowance, hours, location, training details, rest breaks, prohibition of night training, etc.), and on-site inspection confirmation form (internal format). * Training Institution : Business registration certificate, personal details of the representative and person in charge (copy of ID). * Trainee : On-site training plan (internal format). * Pre-Reporting of On-site Training (Pilot Operation, until separate computerized system is developed) : * Applicable Laws: Immigration Control Act Article 18 (Restriction on Employment of Foreigners), Article 19 (Obligation to Report Employment of Foreigners), Article 20 (Activities Not Permitted by Status of Stay) exception clauses. * Reporting Procedure : ① Head of the educational institution prepares relevant documents and reports in person to the competent Immigration Office (no fee). ② The office reviews the documents and enters the report into the part-time employment permit section for international students (until separate system is developed). ③ A report confirmation is issued using the part-time work permit form for international students. * Administrative Sanctions for Unauthorized Participants : * Foreigner : Treated as illegal employment under relevant regulations. * Educational Institution : On-site training permission restricted for 1 year from the date of the first violation; if caught again during the restriction period, additional visa issuance restrictions apply. * Training Institution : Considered illegal employment and handled under relevant regulations. * Administrative Sanctions for Violations of Permission Conditions : * Foreigner : All on-site training permissions restricted during the training period. * Educational Institution : On-site training permissions restricted for 6 months from the date of violation. * Training Institution : On-site training permissions restricted for 1 year from the date of violation. 2. Other Education by Excellent Private Educational Institutions * Participation in Social Integration Program : * To help trainees meet the requirements for changing to a Specific Activities (E-7) visa, educational institutions must provide guidance on how to participate in the Ministry of Justice’s Social Integration Program. * Operation of Korean Language Courses : * Educational institutions may provide Korean language education necessary for academic performance only to trainees registered at the institution (taught by certified Korean language instructors). * Charging additional tuition fees for operating Korean language courses is strictly prohibited, and these hours cannot be counted toward the required technical training hours (minimum 15 hours per week). 3. Special Employment Provisions for Graduates of Excellent Private Educational Institutions * Permission to Change Status to Specific Activities (E-7) : * Trainees with an associate degree or higher who successfully complete the relevant training program and meet the E-7 requirements may apply for a change of status. ※ Limited to cases where the job offer is in a professional technical/functional occupation (currently 85 occupations under E-7) and the degree and training program are relevant to the job. * (For graduates of excellent private educational institutions) Foreigners with an overseas associate degree or higher who complete the relevant domestic training program (D-4-6, at least 20 months), obtain a nationally recognized license in the relevant field, and complete at least Level 4 of the Social Integration Program may change to the relevant E-7 status (excluding E-7-4 category). If individual occupations have separate requirements, those must also be met. ※ Limited to cases where the job offer is in a professional technical/functional occupation and the degree and training program are relevant to the job. |
