D-2 Student Visa · Verified 2026-05-14
Korea has the most forgiving visa of any major destination — if you get the apostille right.
Two-week decision, USD 80 fee, no embassy interview. The D-2 is straightforward — but Korean immigration is strict about document authentication. The single most common failure point for Sri Lankan applicants is improperly apostilled education certificates.
- Visa Type
- D-2 Student Visa
- Processing
- 2–3 weeks
- Application Fee
- USD 80 single / USD 120 multi-entry
schedule Last reviewed:
The one thing that decides it
Apostille — the unforgiving step
Korean immigration requires your A/L certificates, Bachelor's degree (if applicable) and transcripts to be apostilled by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Then translated by a Korean-certified translator. Any deviation from this exact sequence is the single biggest reason Sri Lankan D-2 applications get sent back.
- check_circle Apostille at the Sri Lanka MFA in Colombo — typically 5–7 working days.
- check_circle Translation must be by a Korean Embassy-approved translator. Self-translated documents are not accepted.
- check_circle Sponsor letters require notarisation in Sri Lanka and apostille separately.
- check_circle Bring originals to the Korean Embassy in Colombo, not photocopies.
Who can apply for the D-2 Student Visa
Eligibility is the easy part — most denied applications fail on documentation or interview prep, not eligibility. Make sure all of these are cleared before you book anything.
Certificate of Admission
A formal Certificate of Admission (입학허가서) from a Korean Ministry of Education-recognised university.
Financial evidence
USD 10,000+ in personal or sponsor bank account, held stably (statements covering the last 3 months).
Academic transcripts
Notarised translations of your final certificates. For postgraduate, your Bachelor's degree and transcripts.
Tuberculosis (TB) clearance
TB test from a Korea-approved clinic in Colombo for any visa over 90 days.
What you'll submit
The core document stack. Your counsellor gives you a complete country-specific checklist after the free consultation — including formatting, translations and apostille rules.
Certificate of Admission
A formal Certificate of Admission (입학허가서) from a Korean Ministry of Education-recognised university.
D-2 Student Visa Application
Lodged at the Korean Embassy in Colombo — usually decided within 2 weeks. Standard student visa for degree programs.
Financial Evidence
Proof of at least USD 10,000 (≈ KRW 13M) in savings, plus tuition receipt or scholarship confirmation.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test
TB clearance from a Korea-approved clinic in Colombo — required for all visa applications over 90 days.
The 6-step application, in order
Doing these in the wrong order is the second-most-common reason files slip a semester. Numbers matter.
- 1
Receive Certificate of Admission
Accept your Korean university offer and request the Certificate of Admission with apostille.
- 2
Prepare financial documents
Bank statements showing USD 10,000+ for the last 3 months. Sponsor letter if funds aren't in your name.
- 3
TB test in Colombo
Book at a Korean Embassy-approved clinic. Certificate valid for 3 months.
- 4
Apply at Korean Embassy
In person at the Korean Embassy, 98 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo. Submit documents, pay the USD 60 fee.
- 5
Decision
D-2 visa typically issued in 2–3 weeks. Single-entry initially; convert to multiple-entry after arrival.
- 6
Arrival & ARC
After arrival in Korea, register for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days.
Visa fees & costs
These are visa-specific costs only. Tuition and living costs are covered in our full cost guide for South Korea .
Visa Fee Summary
Why South Korea student visas get refused
Most refusals come down to these four problems. Knowing them before you submit is the single biggest difference between approval and refusal.
Financial documents unclear
Bank statements with large unexplained deposits or sponsor relationships not properly documented.
Apostille / translation issues
Educational documents missing apostille or with non-certified translations.
Course mismatch
A switch from your previous field of study without a clear academic statement.
Insurance not arranged
Korean immigration expects health insurance arrangements for the first months.
How we keep South Korea applications watertight
Four things we do for every Sri Lankan South Korea file before it goes near the embassy or immigration portal.
Apostille & translation shop
We run your education documents through the Sri Lanka MFA apostille queue and onto a Korean Embassy-approved translator. End-to-end in about 10 working days.
Certificate of Admission liaison
If your Korean university is slow to issue your admission certificate or the apostille version, we follow up directly with their international office.
TB test & financial documents
Korea-approved TB clinic booking in Colombo plus structured bank statement preparation for the USD 10,000 financial proof.
ARC registration support after arrival
Alien Registration Card registration in Korea within 90 days. We send you the office locations, required documents and timing for each city.
Sri Lankan applicants we've placed in South Korea
Three anonymised journeys from this year. Names changed; outcomes real.
Nisal — BEng Electrical Engineering, Pusan National
Standard self-funded D-2. Sri Lanka MFA apostille + Korean translation completed in 8 working days. Visa stamp in 14 days.
Timeline
Apostille handled · 14-day decision · approved
Sanduli — MS Computer Science, KAIST
KAIST funded MS — tuition waiver letter served as primary financial evidence. Simplified the visa file substantially.
Timeline
Funded MS · 12-day decision · approved
Tharusha — PhD Chemistry, Seoul National (GKS)
GKS scholarship recipients have the Korean government (NIIED) sign off on financial proof. The D-2 file becomes mostly administrative.
Timeline
GKS-funded · 10-day decision · approved
Frequently asked questions
Don't see your question? WhatsApp a South Korea visa counsellor — we usually reply within the hour, weekdays.
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Do I need to speak Korean? expand_more
No — over 1,000 English-medium programs are available, especially at SKY universities (Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei), KAIST and POSTECH. -
Can I work during studies? expand_more
Yes — up to 20 hours/week during term-time after the first 6 months of stay. Korean language proficiency (TOPIK 2+) may be required. -
Is GKS easier than self-funded? expand_more
GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) is fully-funded but separately competitive. If you win GKS, your D-2 application is simplified (NIIED handles financial proof). -
After graduation can I stay? expand_more
Yes — switch to a D-10 (job-seeker) visa for up to 2 years to find work, or directly to E-7 if you have a job offer.
More on South Korea
Study in South Korea
Universities, costs, intakes, post-study work — the full destination overview.
Destination Guide arrow_forward paymentsCost of Studying in South Korea
Tuition, living costs and total LKR budget — with and without scholarships.
Cost Breakdown arrow_forward workspace_premiumScholarships for South Korea
Open scholarships for Sri Lankan students — government, university, and private awards.
See Scholarships arrow_forwardDon't risk a South Korea visa refusal
Send us your offer letter (or your I-20 / CAS / CoE / LoA) on WhatsApp and a counsellor returns a 1-page file review — what's strong, what's weak, what the embassy will probe. Free. No commitment. Reply within one working day.
Message a South Korea visa counsellor- check_circle Free for students — universities pay us, not you
- check_circle Average reply: under 1 hour, weekdays
- check_circle Walk in to any of 4 offices across Sri Lanka
Prefer a callback?
Drop your number — a South Korea visa counsellor calls within one working day.