South Korea Demands Korean Language Skills for Foreign Student Visas

South Korea has hit its target of 300, 000 international students two years early, reaching the milestone in mid-2025, but the administration now states sustaining that expansion requires updated policies to assist students succeed and keep public backing for welcoming more foreign learners.

Key points

• With foreign enrolments already at 314, 000 in February 2026, the council, chaired by Acting Justice Minister Jinsoo Lee, laid out a framework built around Korean language proficiency.
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• Students deemed at high risk of overstaying or prioritising work over study will still face the Study Expense Security Deposit System.
• The council additionally aims a new "Korean Study Alumni Visitor Visa" to support graduates in science, engineering, manufacturing and specialised technical fields maintain ties with South Korea.
• Those graduates will be prioritised for the Skilled Worker (E-7) visa if they meet Korean language requirements.

On October 7, 2026, the Ministry of Justice confirmed decisions from the Consultative Council on the Improvement of the Foreign Student Visa System, formed in April to assist the country accommodate up to 400, 000 foreign students.

With foreign enrolments already at 314, 000 in February 2026, the council, chaired by Acting Justice Minister Jinsoo Lee, laid out a framework built around Korean language proficiency. Pakistan Standardizes Sign Language.

Under the plan, most students will be able to obtain study visas without proving financial means, provided they achieve Level 4 on the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) or Level 4 on the Social Integration Program (KIIP).

Students deemed at high risk of overstaying or prioritising work over study will still face the Study Expense Security Deposit System. It requires depositing funds for living expenses.

Part-time work eligibility will now hinge on Korean skills, at least TOPIK Level 3, alongside academic performance.

International graduates seeking to remain in the country will likewise be judged on language proficiency, with permitted stay durations ranging from one to three years depending on their Korean ability and employment preparation.

Meanwhile, the council additionally aims a new "Korean Study Alumni Visitor Visa" to support graduates in science, engineering, manufacturing and specialised technical fields maintain ties with South Korea.

In practice, the tougher standards, nevertheless, could cut both ways. Reaching TOPIK Level 4 typically demands at least two years of intensive study.

While stronger Korean helps foreign students succeed academically and integrate socially, the new rules may deter students drawn to South Korea's English-language programs and culture, a key driver of recent enrolment expansion, with English degrees now offered by more than 1, 000 departments throughout 70-plus universities. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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