What can and can't you do with a D-4 general training visa?

With a D-4, you can only receive education or training at a designated institution. You must not do paid work, such as a part-time job, before you get permission.

What you can do

• You can take Korean language training (D-4-1) or foreign language training (D-4-7) at a university-affiliated language institute.
• You can receive technical or skills training at a national or public research institute or training center.
• You can receive training as an intern at a foreign-invested company and similar places (D-4-2, etc.).
• You can study at a designated Korean cooking institution or at a school of high school level or below. The designated institutions are different for each detailed visa code.
• You can work part-time (a part-time job) only after you get permission for activities outside your status of stay. For language training (D-4-1), you can apply only after 6 months have passed since you received that status. The fee is 20,000 KRW.

What you must not do

• Do not work without permission. You can be punished or ordered to leave Korea.
• If you receive more pay from the training institution than your living expenses, it is not seen as a D-4 activity.
• Private academies and lifelong education facilities are not eligible institutions for language training (D-4-1).
• Do not plan to pay for your stay mainly with money earned in Korea. It will be harder to get permission.
• D-4 has no system for changing or adding a workplace.

💡 Good to know

• If your school or institution changes, you must report the change to your alien registration details.
• If you move, you must report within 15 days of the move date. You can report on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr), at a community service center (주민센터), or at the immigration office (출입국).

Before you start a part-time job, check with your school's international office (국제처) how many hours you can work. Then apply for permission on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr). Check once more by calling 1345 to be sure.