Can a D-2 international student bring a spouse or children to Korea?

Yes, a D-2 international student can bring a spouse and minor children under the Accompanying (F-3) status. However, F-3 issuance is restricted for associate degree, language training, and short-term students. An exception may be allowed for humanitarian reasons.

Requirements checklist

• Who is eligible — The student's legal spouse and minor children. The children must be unmarried.
• Course — A bachelor's (advanced major) course or higher usually qualifies. Associate degree courses are restricted.
• Financial ability — You must prove living expenses for your family in addition to the student's own financial proof. It does not matter whether the school is accredited (인증대).
• Separate housing — You need documents proving a home where the family will live together.
• Proof of family relationship — You need a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or similar. Official documents from the home country must come with a certified translation. Apostille countries need an apostille. Non-member countries need consular confirmation.

Financial ability standard

The housing benefit selection standard amount, announced every year by family size, applies. As of 2023, the monthly amounts are 976,609 KRW for 1 person, 1,624,393 KRW for 2 people, and 2,084,364 KRW for 3 people. The student is not counted in the family size. To extend for 1 year or more, you must prove 12 months of living expenses. Amounts change every year, so check the latest standard.

How to apply and documents

1. If inviting from outside Korea: The student gets a Certificate of Visa Issuance Confirmation (사증발급인정서) at the immigration office (출입국). The family applies for a visa at the Visa Portal (visa.go.kr) or an overseas diplomatic mission (재외공관).
2. If the family is already in Korea: Citizens of ministerially designated countries or priority-management countries must, in principle, apply at an overseas diplomatic mission. Humanitarian reasons such as childbirth, child-rearing, or illness may be accepted as exceptions. Citizens of other countries may apply for a change of status at the local immigration office.

You usually submit these documents.

• Basic documents (application form, passport, photo, fee)
• Letter of invitation reason (a spouse writes that they will not work in Korea)
• Letter of identity guarantee
• Documents proving family relationship
• Documents proving financial ability (living expenses)
• Documents proving separate housing

⚠️ Points to note

A spouse (F-3) cannot work without permission. If you want to work, first check separate procedures such as permission for activities outside your status. Inviting parents (Visiting and Staying, F-1-15, 90 days or less) is possible under set requirements when a master's or doctoral student has been studying for 6 months or more.

Results may differ depending on the school course and nationality. Check finally at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).