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Note: South Korea has no single immigration-wide proof-of-funds figure published by HiKorea (the government’s own immigration portal) for the D-2 student visa. The commonly cited ₩20,000,000 is a practical benchmark used by most universities and consulates, especially in the Seoul Metropolitan Area — not a fixed legal minimum you’ll find written into Korean immigration law.
For a D-2 (degree-seeking) student visa, Korean consulates and universities require evidence you can support yourself financially — but unlike the UK or Canada, the exact figure is set in practice by your university and consulate rather than by a single published government threshold.
What’s actually required, and why it varies
- ₩20,000,000 (roughly $15,000 USD) is the figure most Seoul Metropolitan Area universities and their partner consulates expect to see — this has become the de facto standard through consistent practice, not a published law.
- Universities outside Seoul, or specific programs, may set a different figure — always confirm the exact amount with your accepting university’s international office, since they typically know their partner consulate’s actual practice.
- 28 days is the commonly cited minimum holding period before your application date, though — as with the amount itself — this isn’t a single codified national rule and can vary by consulate.
- Bank balance certificates (not simple transaction histories) are generally required, and must typically be issued within 30 days of your application submission.
How to prove it
A personal bank statement in your own name is standard. If a parent or sponsor is funding you instead, most consulates require a sponsorship letter plus proof of the relationship (a birth certificate or family register) alongside the sponsor’s own bank statement. A full scholarship letter covering tuition and living costs can also satisfy the requirement on its own. A single large deposit made shortly before applying is treated as a red flag at most consulates — consistent balance history over time is viewed far more favorably than a last-minute lump sum.
Other requirements
- Documents not already in Korean or English generally need certified translation, and some consulates require apostille or legalization of financial documents.
- Bank statements are typically expected to be recent — commonly within one to three months of application, depending on the consulate.
- Requirements are confirmed and finalized through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr), the government’s own immigration portal, though the portal itself doesn’t publish one universal proof-of-funds figure the way it does for some other visa categories.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to study in South Korea?
Most Seoul-area universities and their consulates expect around ₩20,000,000, but this is a practice-based benchmark, not a single published legal minimum — confirm the exact figure with your specific university and the consulate that will process your application.
Does this amount include tuition?
Generally no — this is treated as a living-cost and general-support figure. Tuition is proven separately through your acceptance and, where relevant, payment documentation.
Can my parents fund my studies instead of my own account?
Yes, with the right paperwork: a sponsorship letter, proof of your relationship (birth certificate or family register), and the sponsor’s own bank statement are generally required alongside the standard financial evidence.
Why doesn’t Korea publish one official number like the UK or Canada?
Financial-sufficiency review for the D-2 visa is handled at the consulate and university level rather than through one centrally published immigration figure — similar in spirit to how Japan and Singapore delegate the same judgment to individual institutions.
Verify details on the official site: HiKorea — Korea’s official immigration and visa portal. Requirements are set in practice by universities and consulates rather than one published figure; always confirm the current amount with your specific university and consulate before applying.
See the full Proof of Funds Requirements by Country comparison, or check Japan’s and Singapore’s similarly institution-set requirements.
