To study in South Korea from Pakistan you apply for a D-2 student visa at the Korean Embassy in Islamabad once you hold a standard admission letter. Documents must be attested by HEC or your board, and the visa fee is USD 60 for stays over 90 days. This guide covers the steps, funds, work and scholarships.
South Korea D-2 visa process from Pakistan
- Get a standard admission letter from a Korean university. The embassy asks for the original, signed by the university president.
- Gather documents. Educational certificates attested by HEC or the relevant education board, an English certificate (IELTS preferred) and financial proof.
- Apply in person at the Embassy in Islamabad. Applications are accepted Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 11:30, and the applicant must appear.
- Wait at least three weeks. The embassy says it is not obliged to explain a refusal.
- Register after arrival. Apply for the alien registration card within 90 days of entry.
A medical certificate and TB test report are required for stays over 90 days, together with a passport valid for at least six months, the application form and one recent colour photo. A D-2 stay is granted for up to two years at a time, and degree levels can be extended up to a set total, for example up to six years for a bachelor’s and five for a master’s.
Fees and proof of funds
| Visa type | Embassy fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry, under 90 days | USD 40 |
| Single entry, over 90 days | USD 60 |
| Multiple entry | USD 90 |
The embassy asks for either your own bank statements or a parents’ package: their passport copy, a signed support letter, six months of bank statements and a family-relationship certificate. Statements should show enough funds for the full stay, held for at least one month and dated within two weeks of applying. No official minimum is stated. Seoul National University asks general applicants for at least KRW 20,000,000 covering one year of tuition and living costs.
The Korea Times reported on 7 October 2026 that the Ministry of Justice plans blocked-account deposits for applicants from “high-risk countries.” No date was given and we could not confirm whether Pakistan is covered.
Tuition and living costs
| Average annual tuition (NIIED) | KRW |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate, national average | 6,820,244 |
| Undergraduate, public / private | 4,265,842 / 7,625,336 |
| Graduate, national average | 4,216,103 |
| Graduate, public / private | 2,481,808 / 4,434,681 |
By field, undergraduate averages run from KRW 6,003,000 (humanities and social sciences) to KRW 9,843,400 (medicine). International students are enrolled in National Health Insurance on their alien-registration date, and Seoul National University gave a monthly contribution of KRW 76,390 from January 2025. We found no official dormitory or living-cost figures.
Working in South Korea as a student
You need permission from the local immigration office before any part-time work. Language-training students must have been in Korea for six months. For degree students, NIIED’s page says undergraduates in years one and two need TOPIK 3, years three and four need TOPIK 4, and the standard limit is 10 hours a week, or 15 for master’s and PhD students. Certified students can work more. NIIED says its table is hard to read and dates from September 2024, so we verify the current hours.
Korea JoongAng Daily reported that from 29 October 2025 the D-10 job-seeker stay can be extended to three years. The Korea Times reported further plans on 7 October 2026 with no dates, and we could not read the official job-seeker pages. A spouse and minor children of a D-2 holder can apply for an F-3 dependant visa, but we could not confirm its documents, fee or work rights.
English requirements and entry with the HSSC
NIIED says undergraduate programmes generally ask for TOPIK Level 3 or higher, and some require a Korean language course first. Graduate programmes ask for TOPIK or TOEFL or IELTS, depending on the university. KAIST’s international graduate programme asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 83, and we could not read a second institution’s score.
NIIED opens undergraduate study to students who completed all 12 years of schooling abroad. It does not name the HSSC, so we confirm acceptance with each university. A master’s needs a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate needs a master’s. We could not check how Korean institutions are accredited or whether HEC recognises them, so we confirm both before you pay.
Dates, scholarships and how we help
Korea has spring (March) and fall (September) semesters. NIIED says graduate spring applications run September to November and fall applications April to June, while undergraduate windows are set by each university.
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) graduate programme for 2026 gave Pakistan 8 places through the Embassy track. Applications ran from 12 to 25 February 2026, then shortlisted candidates were interviewed. The master’s route is one year of Korean plus two years of study. The 2025 undergraduate round gave Pakistan 1 place. We could not find the 2027 notices, so watch the embassy’s notices.
We help with course choice, applications and your visa file. We cannot promise a visa or scholarship. Compare other countries on our student visa from Pakistan guide or see all study abroad destinations, including Japan, China and Singapore.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the South Korea student visa?
The embassy lists USD 40 for a single entry under 90 days, USD 60 for over 90 days and USD 90 for multiple entry.
How long does a Korean student visa take?
At least three weeks after the embassy receives your application. Applications are accepted Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 11:30.
Do I need to attend the embassy in person?
Yes. The applicant must appear in person at the Embassy in Islamabad.
Can I work while studying in South Korea?
Yes, with permission from the local immigration office. Hours depend on your level and TOPIK result, and the standard limit is 10 hours a week.
Is there a scholarship for Pakistanis?
Yes, the Global Korea Scholarship. Pakistan had 8 graduate places in 2026. We could not find the 2027 notices.
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Official sources: Korean Embassy in Pakistan: visa · Study in Korea: visa and stay · Study in Korea: part-time work · Study in Korea: school types · Study in Korea: expenses · GKS 2026 notice, Pakistan · SNU: visa overview. Figures checked on 11 October 2026. The embassy page is undated, so we confirm fees before you apply. Reviewed by Yasir Khan, British Council registered consultant, LAMTANS Consultants. Last updated 11 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the latest position at your consultation.