Home › Visa Services › South Korea Visa › South Korea Student Visa
South Korea student visa · Kochi, Kerala
South Korea Student Visa (D-2 / D-4) from Kerala
Admitted to a Korean university or language institute? You need a D-2 (degree) or D-4 (language or training) visa before you fly. Kerala students submit at the Korea Visa Application Centre in Chennai, and KVAC asks for at least 25 working days – so the timing matters. Visa Xpert, Kochi prepares the admission, financial and apostille paperwork with you.
Submission at KVAC Chennai
Call +91 89211 53604 WhatsApp Us See fees
★ 4.9 · 8,700+ Google reviewsSince 2015Independent consultancy · not VFS, not an embassy
South Korea student visa at a glance
- Government feeSingle-entry long-term visa fee set in US dollars (US$60), collected by KVAC in rupees – about ₹5,400 on our last check. KVAC service charge about ₹1,600.
- Processing timeAt least 25 working days at KVAC Chennai (27 at Bengaluru) for student visas. Apply as soon as the admission letter arrives.
- Stay and validityD-2 for the length of the degree (extended yearly in Korea); D-4 up to 1–2 years for language courses. Part-time work possible later with permission.
- Where you apply from KeralaNo Kochi centre. Submit at KVAC Chennai (Egmore) or Bengaluru; decided by the Consulate General of Korea, Chennai.
Quick answer
Yes – students from Kerala apply for the Korea D-2 (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) or D-4 (Korean language, training) visa at the Korea Visa Application Centre in Chennai; there is no centre in Kerala. You need the university’s Certificate of Admission, apostilled academic certificates, a bank balance certificate meeting the Korean threshold and, for Indian applicants, a tuberculosis test certificate. The fee is about ₹5,400 (US$60) plus a KVAC charge of about ₹1,600, and KVAC asks for at least 25 working days. Visa Xpert’s service charge is quoted per case.
South Korea student visa: key facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official visa | D-2 (degree course: D-2-2 bachelor, D-2-3 master, D-2-4 doctorate, D-2-6 exchange) or D-4-1 (Korean language course) / D-4 (training). Single entry. |
| Who it is for | Students admitted to a Korean university, graduate school or Korean-language institute – including GKS scholarship students and exchange students from Kerala universities. |
| Government fee | Set in US dollars – US$60 for a single-entry visa over 90 days; KVAC collects in rupees, about ₹5,400 on our last check. Check the current fee. Non-refundable. |
| Centre / VFS fee | KVAC (VFS Global) service charge about ₹1,600; courier to Kerala extra. |
| Visa Xpert service charge | Ask us for a quote – call or WhatsApp +91 89211 53604. Government and KVAC fees are paid separately. |
| Standard processing time | KVAC states a minimum of 25 working days at Chennai and 27 at Bengaluru for student visas; longer in August–September and February intake seasons. Count back from your course start date. |
| Stay / validity | On arrival you receive a residence card; D-2 is extended each year for the course duration, D-4 usually for 6 months to 2 years. After six months, part-time work is possible with permission from Immigration. |
| Where you apply from Kerala | No Korean visa centre in Kochi Kerala is under the Consulate General of Korea, Chennai. Submit in person at KVAC Chennai (Fagun Towers, Egmore) or Bengaluru. Some universities issue a Visa Issuance Confirmation (Korea Visa Portal) that simplifies the file – we check yours. |
| Form / portal | Paper application form with originals and copies at KVAC. If your university applied for a visa issuance confirmation on visa.go.kr, you submit the confirmation number with a shorter document set. |
| Checked on | 4 November 2026 |
Plain words: Certificate of Admission is the official admission letter issued by the Korean university. Apostille is the MEA stamp that makes Indian certificates valid abroad. Visa Issuance Confirmation is a pre-approval some universities obtain from Korean Immigration on your behalf.
South Korea student visa documents
Korean universities and the Consulate are precise about formats. Start the apostille and TB test early – they take the longest.
Forms and identity
- Visa application form, signed; one photo 35 × 45 mm, white background
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond the course start, plus copies
- Copy of Aadhaar; birth certificate if asked
Admission
- Certificate of Admission / Standard Admission Letter from the university (original)
- University’s business registration certificate copy (provided by the university)
- Visa Issuance Confirmation number, if your university obtained one
- Scholarship certificate (GKS or university scholarship), if any
Academic
- Highest qualification certificate and mark sheets – apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (through the state HRD/authorised agencies)
- Degree verification letter if the university requires it
- Korean (TOPIK) or English (IELTS/TOEFL) score, as required by the course
Finances
- Bank balance certificate in your or your parent’s name meeting the Ministry of Justice threshold – typically around KRW 20 million (about US$15,000) for degree courses and roughly half for language courses; confirm the current figure with your university
- Sponsor’s income proof (ITR, salary slips) and relationship proof
- Tuition fee receipt if already paid
Health
- Tuberculosis test certificate from a hospital designated by the Korean Embassy (required for Indian applicants for D-2/D-4)
- Medical certificate if the university asks
Good to know
- Processing starts only when the file is complete – one missing apostille can cost a month
- Dependants (spouse/children) of D-2 students can apply for F-3 after you receive your residence card
- Keep copies of everything for your Immigration registration in Korea
Step by step: Korea student visa from Kochi
Six steps; start 2–3 months before the course.
- Admission and timelineSend us the Certificate of Admission; we map the TB test, apostille and submission dates against your course start.
- Apostille and TB testWe guide the MEA apostille of your certificates and the TB test at a designated hospital.
- Financial documentsBank balance certificate, sponsor proofs and fee receipts prepared in the required format.
- Forms and fileApplication form, photo, study plan and the complete set arranged in KVAC order.
- Submit at KVAC ChennaiIn person at Fagun Towers, Egmore (or Bengaluru). Pay the fee (about ₹5,400) and KVAC charge.
- Decision and departureAt least 25 working days. Collect the passport, book your flight, and register for your residence card within 90 days of arrival.
How Visa Xpert helps students
The Consulate General of Korea decides every student visa; we never promise an outcome. We make sure nothing in the file causes a delay that costs you the intake.
- Document timelineApostille, TB test and bank certificates scheduled so the file is complete before the deadline.
- University coordinationWe read your admission guide and match the Consulate’s list with your university’s requirements.
- Clean financial proofBalance certificates and sponsor documents in the format Korean Immigration accepts.
- Chennai submission and trackingAppointment, file check, and status follow-up until the passport returns.
2026 notes for Korea-bound students from Kerala
What to expect this year
- Processing is long: KVAC requires at least 25 working days at Chennai (27 at Bengaluru) for student visas – more in intake season. Do not plan on faster.
- Apostille, not attestation: Korea accepts MEA apostilles on Indian academic certificates; start this first.
- TB test: Indian applicants for D-2/D-4 must submit a TB certificate from a designated hospital; results take a few days.
- Visa Issuance Confirmation: many universities now apply for it on the Korea Visa Portal, which shortens your KVAC file – ask your international office.
- Financial threshold in won: the rupee amount changes with the exchange rate; keep a margin.
- Part-time work: allowed after 6 months with permission and TOPIK level conditions – not from day one.
South Korea student visa: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between D-2 and D-4 visas?
D-2 is for degree courses – bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and exchange programmes at Korean universities. D-4 is for non-degree study, mainly Korean-language courses (D-4-1) and training programmes.
How long does the Korea student visa take from Kerala?
KVAC asks for at least 25 working days at Chennai and 27 at Bengaluru for student visas, and intake seasons are slower. Add the time for the apostille and TB test before submission – start 2–3 months before the course.
How much does the student visa cost?
The fee is set in US dollars (US$60 for a single-entry long-term visa) and collected by KVAC in rupees – about ₹5,400 on our last check – plus a KVAC service charge of about ₹1,600. Visa Xpert quotes its service charge per case.
How much money must I show?
Korean Immigration sets a bank balance threshold in won – typically around KRW 20 million for degree students and about half for language students. Your university’s admission guide states the current figure; the certificate must be recent and in your or your parent’s name.
Do I need a TB test for a Korean student visa?
Yes. Applicants from India for D-2 and D-4 visas submit a tuberculosis test certificate from a hospital designated by the Korean Embassy. We tell you the nearest designated hospital to Kochi.
Where do students from Kerala submit the visa?
At the Korea Visa Application Centre in Chennai (Fagun Towers, Egmore) or Bengaluru. There is no centre in Kerala. We prepare the complete file in Kochi so your Chennai visit is one short trip.
Can I work part-time in Korea on a student visa?
After six months of study, with permission from Immigration and subject to language-level conditions, D-2 and D-4-1 students can work limited hours. It is not allowed immediately on arrival.
Is Visa Xpert part of KVAC or the Korean Consulate?
No. Visa Xpert is an independent consultancy in Kochi since 2015. The Consulate decides; KVAC (VFS) receives the file. We prepare and track your application – no guarantees.
Official sources
- Korea Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) – India
- Korea Visa Portal – visa issuance confirmation and visa types
- Study in Korea (Korean government portal)
- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai
- Ministry of External Affairs – Apostille services
Last checked: 4 November 2026. Government fees, exchange rates and processing times change; we confirm the latest before you pay anything.
Admitted to a Korean university?
WhatsApp your Certificate of Admission and course start date. We will send a dated checklist – apostille, TB test, finances, KVAC – and a quote the same day.
Call +91 89211 53604 WhatsApp Us
Visa Xpert · North Mulloth House, Ravipuram Junction, opposite HDFC House, MG Road, Kochi 682016 · Mon–Fri 9:30 am – 6:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 3 pm