Can a D-2 international student go back to their home country during school vacation?

Yes, you can go back to your home country during vacation. If you have completed foreign resident registration, you do not need a re-entry permit when you return within 1 year of the day you left Korea. If your remaining period of stay is shorter than 1 year, you must return within that period.

A short trip, like a vacation, usually does not need a separate application.

Check before you leave

• Alien registration card (외국인등록증) — You must have completed registration to get the exemption.
• Expiration date of your period of stay — Your return date must be before the expiration date.
• Entry restrictions — If you have an entry restriction or similar, you must get a re-entry permit separately.
• School academic calendar — Return in time for the first day of the semester.

⚠️ Things to be careful about

• If your period of stay ends soon, apply for an extension before you leave. You can apply for an extension from 4 months before expiration until the expiration date.
• If you want to return after more than 1 year but within 2 years, you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit before you leave. The fee is 50,000 KRW.
• If you work part-time during vacation, you may only work within the scope of your part-time work permit.

Be sure to check the expiration date of your period of stay before you leave. If you are worried about personal circumstances such as an entry restriction, check again with HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Immigration Contact Center (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).