Once you have made the decision to study in Korea, it is crucial to gather practical information to start your preparations. Fortunately, you can find a wealth of information on the websites of Korean universities' international offices and study-abroad organizations. These resources offer a comprehensive range of information that you can search for and obtain to assist you Korean language classes and programs guideline in your preparations.
1. Preparation for Korea
A. Foreign Resident Registration
Eligibility for Foreigner Registration
> Individuals from foreign countries who intend to stay in Korea for more than 90 days after their arrival
> Former Korean citizens who have acquired foreign nationality after renouncing their Korean citizenship, as well as foreigners born in Korea, who have been granted residence status and plan to stay for more than 90 days
> Exemptions from Foreign Registration: The following individuals are not required to register as foreigners:
Diplomats (A-1), Foreign Government Officials (A-2), individuals under International Agreements (A-3)
Individuals engaged in important diplomatic, industrial, or national defense matters, and their family members
Others who have been specifically recognized by the Minister of Justice as exempt from foreign resident registration
Canadian nationals who visit Korea without a visa and plan to stay for less than six months
Foreign Resident Registration Period
Individuals intending to stay in the Republic of Korea for more than 90 days should complete their foreign resident registration within 90 days from the date of entry.
Individuals who have been granted a status of stay or permission for a change of status should complete the registration immediately at the time of permission. Example: If a Canadian applies for a Change of Status after staying for 5 months on a B-2 visa (Tourist/Transit), foreign resident registration is required at the time of the Change of Status application.
Required documents
Completed application form, passport, recent photograph (taken within the past 6 months), proof of current student (or research student) enrollment, application fee
*If you apply for a residence card before enrolling in a program, for reasons such as opening a bank account or signing a rental agreement, you may provide proof of enrollment instead of proof of tuition payment.
Certificate of tuberculosis examination (for applicable individuals only)
> Foreigners from high-risk tuberculosis countries who enter Korea on short stays and wish to change to long-term visas.
> Foreigners from high-risk tuberculosis countries in Korea on long-stay visas who have not submitted a tuberculosis examination after March 2, 2016, must provide exam results when changing their visa status or extending their stay. · Document proving current place of residence.
B. Reporting Change of Foreign Resident Registration
> Changes that must be reported
> Name, gender, birth date, or nationality
> Passport number, passport issuance date, period of validity
Change of school (including school name changes)
Changing (transferring) to improperly run schools is generally prohibited
After completing a master's or doctorate degree, changing schools to pursue an identical degree (e.g., master's degree to another master's degree) is prohibited. Instead, individuals should leave the country and apply for a new visa.
Reporting period: Any change must be reported within 15 days of the occurrence.
Reporting location: Local office within the jurisdiction or online reporting
Required documents
Completed application form, passport, residence card (of the relevant individual)
Documents proving the change of name or other personal details (of the relevant individual)
Proof of enrollment from the new school and proof of previous enrollment from the previous school
Documents proving the necessity of changing schools for studying an identical degree (for the relevant individual)
C. Changing Status of Stay
Foreigners must obtain permission to change their status of stay if they wish to engage in new activities that are not relevant or permitted under their current status.
D. Extension of Stay
(1) Permission for Extension of Stay
If the permission of stay for a foreigner is nearing expiration and they wish to continue staying in Korea, they must apply for and receive permission for an extension of stay.
*Receiving permission for extension of stay for Student (D-2) and General Trainee (D-4) visa
(2) Student (D-2)
2-1. General regulations
The duration of stay is determined based on the academic calendar.
Study abroad qualifications (D-2-1~D-2-6):
When registering for foreign resident registration, a residence card is issued until the end of March or September of the following year.
In the case of Change or Extension, permission is granted until the end of March or September within a range of 2 years.
Leaves of absence for reasons such as delayed graduation or familial circumstances are not approved.
Students who have discontinued their studies (taking a leave of absence from school due to personal circumstances, insufficient credits, or other reasons) are not allowed to extend their stay. However, in exceptional cases where a student has experienced an unavoidable accident or illness, they are permitted to change to an appropriate stay status.
Restrictions on extensions of stay when a student's school registration details change during the study abroad period (including language learning programs)
This applies to the following circumstances:
ⅰ) When an individual transfers to a different school due to being dismissed from their previous school (due to voluntary leave, failure to register, or disciplinary action), or reenrolls in school.
ⅱ) In cases where, upon applying for an extension, the student has already exceeded the total stay period due to switching majors within the same university or transferring universities (the total stay period is 3 years for associate's degree students, 4 years for bachelor's degree students, and 5 years for master's and doctorate degree students).
ⅲ) When an individual changes to a weekend or night class program during a single degree program or while at the same school.
In general, permission for extension of stay is prohibited, and the student must leave the country and obtain a new visa from the relevant university before reentering.
Maximum extension for cases of failure to fulfill graduation requirements
3 years after enrollment for associate's degree students, 6 years for undergraduate or master's degree students, and 8 years for doctorate degree students.
2-2. Required documents
Application form, passport, residence card, fee
Documents proving enrollment (research)
For example, proof of enrollment, proof of extension for exchange students, proof of researcher, etc.
Documents to prove that studies have been conducted normally.
For example, transcript, certificate of attendance, etc.
Documents proving financial ability
Guidelines for applicants (with specified training schedule) or training plan (Korean Language Trainees only)
Documents to prove place of residence (lease contract, certificate of accommodation, notification letter for expiration of stay period, utility bill payment receipt, boarding expense receipt, etc.)
(3) General Trainee (D-4)
Permission for Extension of Stay for language trainees (D-4-1, D-4-7)
3-1. General regulations
No approval of leave of absence for familial reasons.
Students who have discontinued their studies (taken a leave of absence from school) for personal reasons, poor grades, etc. are restricted from extending their stay.
However, in exceptional circumstances such as illness or accidents, a change to a relevant stay status is allowed.
Incentives for students enrolled in accredited universities.
Eligibility: Students enrolled in accredited universities with an average grade of C (Grade Point Average 2.0) or higher (based on credits).
Required documents: In principle, no documents are required. Academic information from FIMS (Foreigners' Integrated Information System) can be used, and documents proving financial ability are not necessary.
Strengthening evaluation for students attending lower-ranking universities.
Applicable to students enrolled at lower-ranking universities with an average grade (based on completed credits) of D or below (grade point average 1.0), and language trainees with an attendance rate of 70 percent or below.
Required documents: Academic status information from FIMS (enrollment status, grades, etc.), and documents proving financial ability.
Restrictions on extensions of stay when a student's school registration details change during the training period (including language training).
This applies to the following circumstances:
ⅰ) When an individual changes or transfers to a different school for training purposes due to being dismissed from their previous school (due to voluntary leave, failure to register, or disciplinary action), or reenroll in school.
ⅱ) When an individual changes to a weekend or night class program during a single degree program or while at the same school.
In general, permission for extension of stay is prohibited, and the student must leave the country and obtain a new visa from the relevant university before reentering.
It is encouraged to apply for extensions of stay online or through the person in charge of international students at your university to reduce processing delays.
This applies to students attending certified schools who do not need to make a direct visit for evaluation.
Application examples:
Online application: Students can apply in person or have the person in charge of international students apply on their behalf. The person in charge of international students can apply for up to 8 students at a time.
In-person visits can be done directly by the international student or the person in charge of international students.
3-2. Required documents
Application form, passport, residence card, fee
Documents to prove enrollment
Certificate of enrollment, certificate of extension for exchange students, research student certificate, etc.
Documents proving regular attendance and participation in classes
Transcript, certificate of attendance, etc.
Documents to prove financial ability
Guidelines for applicants (with specified training schedule) or training plan (Korean Language Trainees only)
Documents to prove place of residence (lease contract, certificate of accommodation, notification letter for expiration of stay period, utility bill payment receipt, boarding expense receipt, etc.)
Certificate of insurance for international students, certificate of national health insurance for applicable elementary, middle, and high school students.
2. Housing
Once the decision to study in Korea has been made, the next steps involve selecting a school and arranging accommodation. When choosing a school, it is important to consider the availability of dormitories. In cases where dormitories are not available, alternative options such as boarding houses or renting a room can be considered.
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3. Transporataion
In Korea, the public transportation system is highly convenient and accessible. Despite the heavy traffic in densely populated cities, the public transportation network is well-developed, systematic, and modern. There are numerous bus routes that cover all areas of the city, and once you become familiar with the seemingly complex routes, buses prove to be a convenient mode of transportation. The city of Seoul has implemented a bus-only lane system, allowing buses to operate efficiently and remain largely unaffected by traffic congestion.
Furthermore, major cities in Korea offer a metro system, which is the most efficient and convenient way to travel within the city. Not only is it cost-effective, but the average travel time between metro stations is typically only 2-3 minutes. During rush hours, the metro system proves to be significantly faster than using cars or buses, allowing you to reach your destinations more quickly.
For inter-city travel, you have the option of using inter-city buses or trains, which provide convenient transportation between different cities in Korea.
A. Taking Bus
(1) City Bus
For newcomers, bus routes can initially be challenging to navigate. However, once you become familiar with taking the bus, it can become a convenient option for reaching destinations that may not be easily accessible by subway. Buses operate at intervals ranging from five to fifteen minutes, although in busier parts of the city, travel times may be longer. The bus schedules vary depending on the specific routes, but most services start running at 4:30 a.m., and the last bus of the day completes its route around 1 a.m.
If you have concerns about traffic congestion, it's worth noting that bus routes are generally less affected by congestion compared to the blue lanes marked on major streets in Seoul, which are designated for other types of traffic. To facilitate a smoother flow of bus transportation, the blue lanes provide a congestion-free route for buses. Bus fares vary based on the region, distance traveled, and age of the passenger, but typically range from 1,100 to 1,500 won.
(2) Intercity Bus
When you're planning to explore regional cities in Korea, traveling by bus is a highly convenient option. Intercity buses are further divided into two types: express buses and regular intercity buses. Express buses operate on expressways, allowing you to reach another region quickly without any stops along the way. On the other hand, regular intercity buses may travel on expressways, national highways, or local roads, passing through various regions.
In Seoul, there are five bus terminals available: Central City, Dong Seoul, Sangbong, Seoul Express, and Seoul Nambu. Express buses are categorized into two types: ilban and udeung. While udeung buses have a slightly higher fare, they offer greater comfort with a row of single seats on the left side and double seats on the right side. This seating arrangement provides more legroom, making long rides more comfortable.
Before embarking on your journey, it's essential to confirm whether a specific region has separate terminals for express buses and intercity buses, or if there's an integrated bus terminal that serves both types of buses.
B. Subway
Metropolitan cities like Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon are equipped with efficient subway systems. The majority of residents and visitors rely on the subway as their primary mode of transportation due to its extensive coverage and convenience. The subway networks in these cities are highly developed, boasting multiple lines that connect various destinations.
Seoul, in particular, has an impressive subway system with 22 lines, offering extensive coverage throughout the city. While other metropolitan cities may have fewer lines, typically ranging from 1 to 3, they still provide significant convenience compared to alternative transportation options.
Seoul Metro
Seoul Metro is renowned as the most efficient transportation method for navigating the city. Since the opening of its first line in 1974, the subway system has expanded significantly. With an impressive network of 22 lines, residents and visitors in Seoul can conveniently reach their desired destinations without relying on buses or taxis.
Using the Seoul Metro is straightforward as the lines are color-coded, and each station is identified by a three-digit code. The first digit indicates the line, while the last two digits represent the station number. For example, Myeong-dong station is coded as 424, indicating that it is the 24th stop on line 4.
The subway operates from approximately 5:30 in the morning until midnight. The travel time between subway stations is estimated to be around 2-3 minutes. It's important to note that schedules can vary by line, so it's advisable to check the schedule in advance.
Subway Fares
Subway fares in Seoul are calculated using a distance-proportional system that encompasses all metropolitan subway lines. For adults, the fare is 1,250 won for up to 10 kilometers, followed by an additional 100 won for every 5 kilometers between 10 and 50 kilometers, and an extra 100 won for every 8 kilometers beyond 50 kilometers (an additional 100 won is charged when using a single-use ticket). Adolescents are eligible for a 50% discount (with a basic fare of 450 won) after deducting 350 won from the general fare, while a 20% discount is available for seniors (with a basic fare of 720 won). Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices or vending machines.
C. Taxi
In Korea, taxis offer an affordable, comfortable, and convenient means of transportation. In Seoul, taxis are categorized into two main types: common taxis and luxury taxis.
(1) Regular (Ilban) Taxi
Distinguishing between privately owned and company-owned taxis can be done by observing the plastic caps on the roof of the vehicles. Company-owned taxis are easily recognizable by the presence of the company's name and contact information displayed on the side doors. The basic fare for regular taxis is typically around 3,300 to 3,900 won. It is important to note that between 12 am and 4 am, there is a 20% fare increase.
※ National taxi call service: 1333 (without area code)
(2) Mobeom Taxi
Mobeom taxis offer a higher level of service but come at a slightly higher cost compared to regular taxis. These taxis are predominantly black in color and feature yellow plastic caps on their roofs.
(3) International Taxi
International Taxis provide the most convenient and comfortable service for both foreign residents and visitors in Seoul. The drivers of these taxis wear uniforms and prominently display their name tags, which indicate their licensing status.
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