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Step by step
How it works, from application to first class
Applying online is only the start. Most of the time goes on certifying documents, posting originals to Korea and the visa. Plan on three to four months from today to your first class.
The 10 steps
| Step | Who | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Check you're eligible | You | High school finished (diploma in hand), passport valid, and enough money in the bank. Some institutes add rules for certain countries. | 1 day |
| 2. Choose 2–3 institutes | You + us | Compare dates, fees, country rules and housing. Have a backup: popular programs fill early. | 1 week |
| 3. Certify your documents | You | Apostille, or Korean consular confirmation if your country isn't in the Apostille Convention. Notarized translations if needed. | 2–6 weeks |
| 4. Apply online | You + us | Fill in the institute's form, upload scans, pay the application fee. | 1 day |
| 5. Post the originals | You | Courier the certified diploma, bank certificate and other originals. Most institutes count the arrival date, not the posting date. | 1–2 weeks |
| 6. Review (and interview) | Institute | Document review. A few institutes may interview. Results by email or on the portal. | 2–4 weeks |
| 7. Pay tuition | You | Usually 2 terms at once for D-4 applicants; some institutes ask for 4 terms from certain countries. Keep the bank transfer receipt. | 1 week |
| 8. Certificate of admission | Institute | The institute issues a standard certificate of admission (표준입학허가서), or applies for a visa issuance certificate (CCVI) for you if required. | 1–5 weeks |
| 9. Apply for the D-4 visa | You | At the Korean embassy or visa center in your country, with the certificate, passport, bank certificate and TB test if required. | 1–4 weeks |
| 10. Arrive and start | You + us | Placement test, orientation, then alien registration within 90 days. | — |
Working back from March 2027
| When | What to have done |
|---|---|
| Now (October) | Choose institutes; start certification (apostille or consular confirmation) |
| November | Bank certificate ready (most must be issued within 30 days); apply online as soon as applications open |
| December | Originals arrive in Korea; check for earlier deadlines for your country |
| January | Results, tuition payment, certificate of admission |
| February | Visa application and flight |
| March | Placement test and first class |
What this really means
The bank certificate is the timing trap. It usually has to be issued within 30 days of the deadline or of the visa application, so you may need two: one for the institute and a fresh one for the embassy. Don't move the money in the meantime.
Is applying online enough?
Usually not. Most institutes want the original certified diploma and an original bank certificate by post, with scans used for screening; SNU is an exception that works online. Several, including Korea University and Ewha, want the originals to arrive two weeks before the deadline.
Keep reading
How it works
Ten steps from choosing a program to your first class, and how long each takes.
Documents
What to prepare, how to certify it, and the extra papers for some countries.
Costs
Tuition, housing, the bank balance you need and what a first year really costs.
D-4 visa
Who qualifies, how to apply, part-time work, attendance and extensions.
Before you apply
The mistakes that cost students their visa or their money.
From language school to university
How a year of Korean leads into a degree, and which universities reward it.
Compare institutes
Nine university language institutes side by side, with 2027 dates and fees.
From Nepal
Consular confirmation, the NOC, and which institutes add extra rules.
From Uzbekistan
Apostille, the 3-month bank balance rule, and when you need a CCVI.
Sources and verification
Application steps from the official guides of the institutes on our comparison page. Visa steps from Korea's international student visa guidelines. Last verified Oct 14, 2026.
K-Admission is independent and not affiliated with any university or language institute. Rules change every term; always confirm in the institute's official guide before you apply.