D-2 Student Visa for Vietnamese Students
The D-2 student visa is for degree programs (bachelor's, master's, PhD) at a Korean university. The steps match the main D-2 guide; this page covers only what is specific to Vietnamese applicants. Confirm your exact list with 1345 or the Korean embassy in Vietnam.
What differs for Vietnam applicants
Bank balance & holding period
Financial proof for a degree program is typically about KRW 20 million (schools vary; some quote USD 20,000–25,000). A certified university (인증대학) lowers the amount — often to around half — and top-certified schools may waive the document. For Vietnam the balance is generally held for about 3 months before you apply.
Legalizing your diploma & final education certificate
Until Vietnam's accession to the Apostille Convention takes effect on September 11, 2026, your final diploma or graduation certificate needs consular legalization (notarize → certify → legalize at the Korean Embassy/Consulate), not an apostille — from that date an apostille replaces it. Start early; this is the slowest part for most Vietnamese applicants.
Tuberculosis (TB) test
As a designated country, Vietnam requires a TB test certificate for the D-2 visa, from a hospital recognized by the Korean embassy.
Where Vietnamese apply — and moving up from D-4
Apply at the Korean Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City / Da Nang for your region, often via the Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr). Many Vietnamese students start on a D-4 language course and change to D-2 inside Korea once admitted to a degree program.
Frequently asked questions
How much bank balance do I need for a D-2 visa from Vietnam?
About KRW 20 million (USD 20,000–25,000 at some schools). A certified university (인증대학) often needs roughly half, and top schools may waive it. For Vietnam the balance is usually held for about 3 months before applying.
Does my Vietnamese diploma need an apostille for the D-2 visa?
Not yet — until September 11, 2026, when Vietnam's accession to the Apostille Convention takes effect, your diploma needs consular legalization at the Korean Embassy/Consulate; from that date an apostille replaces it.
Is a TB test required for Vietnamese D-2 applicants?
Yes. Vietnam is a designated country, so a TB test certificate is part of the document set.
Can I move from a D-4 language visa to a D-2 degree visa?
Yes. Once you're admitted to a degree program, you can change from D-4 to D-2 at your local immigration office in Korea — no need to return to Vietnam.
Ready to start? Follow the full guide
This page covers only what's specific to Vietnam. The complete D-2 guide has every step and document, with a checklist you can stamp as you go.
Open the full D-2 guide →Not sure which visa? Find my visa →
This is a guide — confirm before you act
Get into Korea is an independent guide, not a government body and not legal or administrative advice. Requirements change often and depend on your nationality and situation, so details here may be outdated or not apply to you. We take no responsibility for any decision made from this page — always verify your exact case with the official sources below before you apply or pay any fee.
Official sources — verify here