South Korea Student Visa from India: Documents, Fees, Timeline

The paperwork differs slightly between the Chennai/Bengaluru centres and the Mumbai-jurisdiction centres, and the timelines differ a lot. This guide sets them side by side. All details are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For other Korean visa types, see our South Korea visa guide for Indians.

D-2 or D-4-1: which Korean student visa do you need?

• D-2-1 to D-2-4: degree study at a Korean university.
• D-2-5: research study.
• D-2-6: exchange students.
• D-4-1: Korean language trainee at a language programme.

All are issued as long-term single-entry visas. Students on a Korean Government scholarship through NIIED have their own checklist, and their visa fee is gratis. Short-term student internships have a separate checklist at the Chennai/Bengaluru KVAC.

Which documents go into a Korean student visa file?

Both lists start with a passport valid for more than 6 months. The Mumbai list asks for at least 2 blank pages and a copy of the first and last page. The full Chennai/Bengaluru list is in the KVAC study abroad checklist.

How much are the fees?

The Rs. 5400 fee matches the Embassy's long-term single-entry fee from 1 August 2026. The Chennai/Bengaluru centre page quotes a Rs. 1600 service charge, higher than the figure on its own checklist, so be ready to pay the higher amount (cash or POS).

How long does processing take at each centre?

Times exclude the day of submission. The New Delhi and Kolkata KVAC timelines are not published, so allow extra margin there. Two submission windows also apply: the Chennai-jurisdiction VFS site accepts applications no earlier than 89 days before travel, and since 21 September 2026 the Mumbai-jurisdiction centres accept applications only if your travel date is within one month of submission. At the Chennai/Bengaluru KVAC you cannot switch from normal to express after applying.

How do you apply for a Korean student visa, step by step?

1. Collect the admission papers: the Certificate of Admission and a copy of the university's business registration certificate.
2. Apostille your academics and, if you are still studying, your bonafide certificate.
3. Take the TB test at a designated lab or hospital and keep the original report.
4. Fill the e-Form on www.visa.go.kr and print it. The Chennai consulate has warned about counterfeit Korea Visa Portal websites, so type the address yourself.
5. Walk in at your KVAC. No appointment is needed at Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa or Hyderabad. Chennai and Bengaluru take submissions Monday to Friday 09:00-13:00; Mumbai 08:00-15:00.
6. Track the decision on the Korea Visa Portal with the 14-digit reference number from the centre (starting 170 for Chennai and 171 for Bengaluru), your passport number, date of birth and name.

Your centre follows your state: New Delhi and Kolkata for the Embassy's jurisdiction, the five Mumbai-jurisdiction centres for Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, and Chennai or Bengaluru for the southern states under the Chennai consulate.

Is there a minimum bank balance for a Korean student visa?

No figure is published. Neither the Chennai/Bengaluru nor the Mumbai-jurisdiction checklist states a minimum balance. What they want is documentary proof: your 6-month bank statement with the bank's original stamp and sign or, if parents or a guardian sponsor you, their 6-month statement, 2 years of ITR and occupation proof. In the Mumbai jurisdiction, parents also give a letter of financial support and an employment certificate on letterhead.

What should you check before you submit?

• Incomplete applications are not accepted at the counter, so tick the checklist item by item.
• The passport needs at least 2 pages blank on both sides at the Chennai/Bengaluru KVAC.
• Applicants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, not VFS staff.
• After a refusal you may reapply only after three months, and no reason is disclosed.

If your file needs a flight reservation or a cover letter, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares both, along with hotel bookings and itineraries. Packages go from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or message us through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can my spouse join me in Korea while I study?

Korea has a long-term dependent family visa for the spouse or unmarried children of a foreigner registered in Korea (an Alien Registration Card holder). The Chennai/Bengaluru checklist asks for the marriage or birth certificate, the inviter's passport and Alien Registration Card, a 6-month bank statement, employment certificate and Korean housing contract, plus a TB report. The normal fee is Rs. 5400.

How early can I submit my Korean student visa application?

The Chennai-jurisdiction VFS site accepts applications no earlier than 89 days before travel. At the Mumbai-jurisdiction centres, since 21 September 2026, the travel date must be within one month of submission.

What happens if my Korean student visa is refused?

You may reapply only after three months. The Chennai consulate's KVAC page says grant or refusal is at the consulate's sole discretion and no reason is given for non-issuance.

Do NIIED scholarship students pay anything at the KVAC?

The visa fee is gratis for NIIED (Korean Government scholarship) students. The 2026 NIIED checklist still lists the VFS charge of Rs. 1380 and the optional Rs. 550 courier.