How to study in South Korea

Compare each route by stay and permit, work rights, cost and who it suits. Sources are under each r⁠o⁠w⁠.

How do you get the⁠r⁠e⁠?

Choose a different route, and the permit you need chang⁠e⁠s⁠.

Study on a D-⁠4 v⁠i⁠s⁠a

Who it suits

For people who want to settle in Korea and study at a scho⁠o⁠l⁠.

Length and permit

A D-⁠4 visa and a standard admission letter are needed

Korean missions in Japan list the documents for a D-⁠4 visa application as the visa application form, a passport (valid for 6 months or more), a photo (taken within 6 months) and a standard admission letter, among othe⁠r⁠s⁠.

Source: Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Kobe: D-⁠4 visa guidance for Japanese citizens

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Working holi⁠d⁠a⁠y

Who it suits

For people who meet the age rule and want a longer st⁠a⁠y⁠.

Length and permit

Ages 18 to 25, 1 year

Japanese nationals living in Japan aged 18 to 25 are eligible (up to 30 if circumstances are judged unavoidable). The stay is 1 year, and since 1 October 2025 people who have already taken part can join once mo⁠r⁠e⁠.

Can you work?

Up to 25 hours a week

The maximum working time is within 25 hours a we⁠e⁠k⁠.

Cost

Balance certificate of JPY 300,000 or more

You submit the original bank balance certificate (JPY 300,000 or more) with your applicati⁠o⁠n⁠.

Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan: Working Holiday visa guidance

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Visit first as a tour⁠i⁠s⁠t

Who it suits

For people who want to see the place before choosing a scho⁠o⁠l⁠.

Length and permit

Visa-⁠free entry (subject to K-⁠ETA)

The Korean Consulate General in Osaka says Japanese citizens can enter without a visa and that visa-⁠free entrants are subject to K-⁠E⁠T⁠A⁠.

Source: Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka: notice on visa-⁠free entry for Japanese citizens and K-⁠ETAEmbassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan: notice on the full launch of K-⁠ETAConsulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dallas: notice on the extension of the K-⁠ETA temporary exemption (2026)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Japanese citizens use the working holiday vi⁠s⁠a⁠?

Yes. Japanese nationals living in Japan aged 18 to 25 are eligible (up to 30 if circumstances are judged unavoidable). The stay is 1 year, and since 1 October 2025 people who have already taken part can join once mo⁠r⁠e⁠.

Are working hours limited on the working holiday vi⁠s⁠a⁠?

Yes. The maximum working time is within 25 hours a week. You submit the original bank balance certificate (JPY 300,000 or more) with your applicati⁠o⁠n⁠.