South Korea to Tie Student Visa Benefits to Korean Language Proficiency
The Ministry of Justice announced new visa rules that link foreign student benefits to Korean language test scores and tighten checks on study intentions.
In a move to attract and retain skilled international students, South Korea's Ministry of Justice unveiled revisions to its student visa system. Applicants who achieve Level 4 on the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) or finish Level 4 or higher of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program will no longer need to submit proof of financial resources. The policy also introduces stricter verification of genuine study purposes, including the removal of preferential visa benefits for departments offering evening, weekend or online courses if participants are found engaging in illegal employment.
The Korea Immigration Service, which now classifies foreign students as a top strategic group, outlined five key strategies to manage this talent segment. A new government-university cooperation framework will support the quality of education under the revised system.
Why it matters
The changes could reshape how international students access South Korean education and affect the country's talent attraction strategy.
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