South Korea has hit its target of 300,000 international students two years early, reaching the milestone in mid-2025, but the government now says sustaining that growth requires updated policies to help students succeed and keep public support for welcoming more foreign learners.
On October 7, 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced decisions from the Consultative Council on the Improvement of the Foreign Student Visa System, formed in April to help 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.
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, which 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.
The council also plans a new “Korean Study Alumni Visitor Visa” to help 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.
The tougher standards, however, 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 growth, with English degrees now offered by more than 1,000 departments across 70-plus universities.
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